If there’s a physical branch of your bank nearby, this is probably the easiest way to get cash, as long as you have ID on you. Most banks in the UK allow you to get money out if you provide your bank account number, sort code and can prove you are who you say. A driver’s license or passport should suffice. However, different banks have different rules, so it’s worth ringing up to find out what you need.
Of course, with many bank branches in the UK shutting up shop, finding a physical location may not be as easy as it once was. All the UK high street banks have branch locators or finders that allow you to pinpoint your nearest option.
Withdrawing cash from an ATM without a card
Typically, most banks do not let you withdraw money from a cash machine without having your physical card.
However, RBS, NatWest and Ulster Bank customers can use the “GetCash” service to take out funds using just their mobile phones. This allows people to request money through the app and gives out a six-digit code. When the code is entered at an ATM, the money is released. To use the service, customers need at least £10 in their account and an active debit card.
Free 24/7 Emergency Cash Service to withdraw up to £250 for online and telephone banking customers or £60 if not.
The NatWest Select account comes with no monthly fee and a contactless debit card. It can also be opened as a joint account. Another perk is that it lets you take cash out without a card, using NatWest’s Get Cash feature. You need to have an active debit card and at least £10 in your account.
Then it’s a matter of opening the Natwest app and choosing how much cash you want to withdraw (maximum of £130 and 2 Get Cash withdrawals every 24 hours). You’ll be given a secure code that’s valid for 3 hours. You can use that code at a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland (in Scotland) or Tesco ATM. To get started you need to press the “Enter” button at the machine and follow the prompts.
Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 39.49% EAR variable.
Pros
No monthly fee
Emergency cash option
Easy to open and manage
Arranged overdraft available
Access to mobile banking app to help you manage your finances
Free 24/7 Emergency Cash Service to withdraw up to £250 for online and telephone banking customers or £60 if not.
When you open a RBS Select account, it comes with no monthly fee, a contactless debit card and with it the ability to take cash out from an eligible ATM without said card.
You can withdraw £130 and make 2 withdrawals every 24 hours, so it’s not going to replace the physical card if you regularly need to make out more than that, but it’s a handy option to have.
As long as you have at least £10 in your account, you can use the Get Cash feature. Then it’s a matter of opening the app, selecting how much you want and creating a code. After that, go to any local Royal Bank of Scotland, NatWest or Tesco ATM, press “Enter” and follow the on-screen instructions.
Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 39.49% EAR variable.
Get a £20 welcome bonus when you spend your first £20 (T&Cs apply).
You can withdraw cash with Revolut without your card using Apple Pay or Google Pay. However, it won’t work if you only have a virtual Revolut card, because it won’t have a PIN. As long as you’ve already added your physical card to your phone then you just need to find an ATM that has the NFC payments logo, which should be located next to the card slot. Then you can tap your phone on that logo and, assuming it works, you’ll be asked to enter your PIN. The ATM should then display all your options for withdrawing cash.
Revolut’s Standard account has no monthly fee and free ATM withdrawals to a limit. Its paid account options have higher monthly withdrawal limits.
Pros
Low overseas fees
Quick sign-up
Earn cashback on spending
Set budgets for financial goals
Virtual cards for online purchases
Easy to transfer money internationally
Linked 'Junior' account available for one child
Cons
1% currency conversion charge on weekend spending abroad
Free cash withdrawals in the UK and abroad both limited to £200 per month
Cannot deposit cash or cheques into the account
Charged a fee to receive your bank card
Minimum opening balance
£0
Account fees
£0
Overseas card transactions
0% Mon-Fri (max. £1,000 per month)
Overseas cash withdrawals
0% Mon-Fri (max. £1,000 per month) conversion fee plus cash fee of £0 up to £200 per month
One quick way to access cash with no card is to take advantage of cashback in a shop or supermarket. Not all stores offer cashback, so make sure you check first.
Often, you’ll need to buy something to be allowed to use the cashback service. However, Link (the UK’s largest cash machine network) is working with shops around the country to offer cashback without a purchase. Obviously, you’ll still need a way to pay, such as using contactless payments on your phone.
You can find participating shops by using the Link Cash Locator, typing in your location or postcode and looking for the orange or blue CT symbols. Orange means the cash at the till service is free to use, and blue means you’ll need to make a purchase.
Another advantage of this approach is that you don’t need to take your cash in notes. That means if you’re low on funds, you could withdraw smaller amounts in change. You need enough money in your account to cover the total you take as cashback.
Asking a friend or family member
If you have money in your account but need cash, you could consider transferring what you need to a trusted friend or family member’s account and asking them to withdraw it. This can be a quick and easy way to access physical money while you wait to be reunited with your card.
Bottom line
Accessing cash without a bank card can be tricky, but several options are available. Visiting a branch, getting cashback locally and even asking friends or family members can all be solutions. Different banks have their own rules, so it’s worth making a quick call to see your options before you make a trek into town.
Frequently asked questions
Most banks do not allow you to use an ATM without your debit card. Instead, consider visiting a bank branch, getting cashback at your local shop or paying with contactless on your phone.
If you don’t have access to your debit card but do have a credit card handy, you may still be able to withdraw money from an ATM. However, most banks charge hefty fees for using your credit card in this way, so it should only be used as a last resort.
If your cards have been lost or stolen, many banks still allow you to use Apple or Google contactless pay while you’re waiting for a replacement. This means you can carry on shopping as normal but won’t usually allow you to access physical money. Check with your bank first to make sure your phone payments are still activated.
Try ringing your bank in the first instance, explain the situation and see what they suggest. Ask what ID or documents you need to make a withdrawal in a branch, and check whether they have a facility that allows you to access money at a cashpoint with your phone.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
Matthew Boyle is a banking and mortgages publisher at Finder. He has a 7-year history of publishing helpful guides to assist consumers in making better decisions. In his spare time, you will find him walking in the Norfolk countryside admiring the local wildlife. See full bio
Matthew's expertise
Matthew has written 288 Finder guides across topics including:
Helping first-time buyers apply for a mortgage
Comparing bank accounts and highlighting useful features
Jason is a writer and editor. He worked as a senior subeditor for Finder for 5 years and in that time became familiar with a wide range of financial products and services. Before that, he worked for Australian Associated Press. He has a BA from Macquarie University in Australia. Jason loves to help other people find new ways to save money. See full bio
Learn how current accounts with cashback work, whether they’re right for you and how to find the best current account.
How likely would you be to recommend Finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser disclosure
Finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Finder receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. Finder compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
