Best joint bank accounts in the UK for couples and friends 2026

Opening a bank account with someone else is not for the faint of heart. It may not be as romantic as a ring, but it’s still a pretty big commitment. We also have a guide on joint savings accounts if you are looking to save money for an extended period of time and earn interest on the balance.

Summary: Best joint bank accounts in the UK 2026, by category

Finder Score	Account fees	Interest (AER)
Best all rounder & for overseas spending
Finder score 9.8Excellent Starling Current Account	Finder score 9.8Excellent	£0	0%	Go to site More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Starling has no fees for spending overseas, useful budgeting features and a highly rated app - all of which combined make it our best all rounder for joint accounts. We particularly like features like its savings spaces and instant payment notifications. Couples can use the spaces to either save towards a shared goal, like a holiday, or they can use them to ringfence money for specific bills like groceries. Meanwhile, spending insights and instant payment notifications help you to see who has spent what, and where. If you’re heading abroad, with Starling, you can both pay on card or withdraw cash abroad without being charged. It also passes on Mastercard’s real exchange rates, so you can get more for your money. Pros & cons Pros Split any bill with a tap 24/7 customer support Bill manager & instant alerts Spaces to help manage your money No charge from Starling for card use abroad Cons No branch network No interest on your current account balance Limited product range compared to other banks
Best for budgeting tools
Finder score 9.3Excellent Monzo Current Account Cashback	Finder score 9.3Excellent	£0	0%	Go to site More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Monzo is our top choice if you’re looking for a joint account to help you manage your money together. It has automatic spending categories which generate daily, weekly or monthly spending insights to help you set your budget. You’ll also get instant spending notifications, plus an alert if one of your direct debits is going to be higher for the upcoming month. What we really like about Monzo, though, is that, alongside your savings pots, you can also open an interest-paying instant access savings pot to save towards a joint goal. Pros & cons Pros Easy to set up Good for budgeting and categorising spending Automatic saving feature Fee-free spending abroad Slick app with face login Overdrafts and loans available Cons Free ATM withdrawals outside the EEA limited to £200, £1 fee for depositing cash at PayPoints, Maximum cash deposit of £1,000 every 6 months No rewards program
Best for multiple account holders
Finder score 8.2Great TSB Spend & Save	Finder score 8.2Great	£0	0%	Go to site More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it If you’re looking for a joint account for more than just 2 people, then TSB is a solid choice. Up to 5 people can open the TSB Spend & Save account together. It has no monthly fee, and you’ll earn £5 cashback each month you make at least 20 debit card payments, for the first 6 months. It’s worth noting that only one cashback payment will be added to the account, so you’ll all have to share. If each person already has their own TSB current or savings account, you can open a joint account in the app. If not, you can pop into a branch or make a video call appointment. Pros & cons Pros Earn cashback as you spend Competitive monthly saver Save the Pennies feature Cons Cashback on Save and Spend account expires after six months Interest charged on overdrafts

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How did we rate our bank accounts?

Finder money expert Kate Steere shares our research

To come up with our Finder ratings and picks for the best bank accounts in the UK, our team looked at every free-to-use current account and scored them across 8 key areas.

We looked at their app scores in the Google Play Store and the App Store, their monthly fees, their transaction fees for things like ATM withdrawals or having your bank card delivered, their customer satisfaction scores including how they were ranked in our Finder survey, their account access including in-branch and online, their payment features and their extra features like spending categories or reward programmes.

We scored each category out of 5. For example, if a bank account had no fees for transactions like direct debits, card purchases, deposits and withdrawals, it would score 5 out of 5. To calculate our Finder rating, we averaged out all these scores and rounded them to the nearest half star.

You’ll also see accounts we picked as being outstanding in certain categories, such as the best bank account for overseas spending or the best bank account for payment features. What you need from a bank account is personal, so these picks are just a guide to help you with your decision.

What’s a joint bank account?

A joint bank account is a current account held by more than one person at the same time. The limit is usually two, although there are some banks that allow more people to open an account together.

There are multiple reasons for opening a joint account, but basically, it can be a good idea when you already share some kind of money commitment with someone else: for example, if you have to pay the rent, the bills or a mortgage together.

A joint bank account works just like a regular current account. Standard features include a debit card, online and app-based banking, direct debits, standing orders and an overdraft facility. There are also joint business bank accounts to help with running a business.

How to open a joint bank account

These days, most banks allow you to apply for a joint current account online. Both of you will need to provide your personal details and to have your identity verified. Depending on the bank you’re applying with and whether you’re also requesting an overdraft, you may also have to go through a credit check.

In some cases, once you’ve completed the application form, you may be asked to pop into a branch and provide some form of proof of identity and proof of address. That’s usually when the bank is unable to verify your identity online.

The functioning of a joint account is governed by a document (generally referred to as a “mandate”) that details who can do what with the account. Both account holders will have to sign it.

Once the account is open, you’ll be able to register for online banking, download the app and fund the account. You should also receive your debit card and PIN within a few days.

From time to time banks offer switching bonuses if you close down your old account and switch to a new one. This also applies to joint accounts. Learn more about the latest switching deals and which banks are offering them.

Joint bank accounts compared

Risks of a joint bank account

The reason why sharing a current account is such a big commitment is that both people have the same right to access the money in it. As a consequence, once you fund the account, you’re relinquishing control over your money and sharing it with another person. Doing this entails two sets of risks:

• The other person may not stick to their end of the agreement and spend the money for themselves. You really need to trust the person you’re opening a joint account with. They’ll be able to spend the money how they wish; if they used the money for something you hadn’t agreed on, you wouldn’t be able to get it back. Things get even trickier if your account has an overdraft facility because both account holders are liable for the debt, even if the money was spent by one of them without the other person’s consent.
• Your ability to get credit could be impacted. A joint account creates a financial association between two people, and lenders will often consider both individuals’ credit histories. This means if one of you has poor credit, it could affect the other person’s ability to borrow money in the future.

For these reasons, you should only open a joint account with someone who you trust completely and with whom you share a similar money management style. It’s also a good idea to have a conversation at the very beginning on how much you’re going to pay into the account and what you’re going to use the money for.

What to do in a dispute with another account holder

If things go wrong and you have a disagreement with your other account holder(s), then the first step you may want to consider is to cancel the account’s “mandate”, the document that details who can do what with the account. By doing this you freeze the account, which means that none of the account holders (including you) can withdraw the money.

This should give you time and space to resolve the dispute. Your bank or building society will only unlock the account once you convince it that you have agreed on how to split the money.

Sadly, if you can’t come to an agreement about how to split the money in the account, your only remaining option is to take legal action through the courts, which is likely to be expensive and messy.

How does income tax work with a joint account?

The introduction of the Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) in April 2016 means that basic rate taxpayers can earn £1,000 in savings interest per year without paying tax. Higher rate taxpayers can earn £500 in savings interest per year before paying tax, while additional rate taxpayers do not get a PSA.

The PSA covers interest earned in bank accounts, savings accounts, and bonds. With joint accounts, the interest is usually split equally between both account holders and goes towards each account holder’s respective allowance.

How to choose a joint bank account

To help you find the best joint bank account, you’ll need to work out what’s most important to you. For example, if you are planning to use your account to pay household bills, you might want to look for one that pays cashback on those bills. Or you might want an account that pays interest on your balance.

You will also need to consider whether you’re likely to need an overdraft. If so, you’ll want an account that charges a low rate of interest or offers an interest-free overdraft buffer.

If a few of you are planning to open a joint account, check the maximum number of account holders permitted – this is usually between two and four people. You might also want to check whether all account holders need to authorise transactions, or whether just one of you can.

Joint bank accounts and “mental incapacity”

If one account holder loses mental capacity, providers in England and Wales can choose to temporarily freeze a joint account. This would involve blocking debit cards, withdrawals, online banking and direct debits.

One way around this is to appoint a power of attorney in advance, which allows someone else to make decisions on your behalf should you lose your mental capacity. If you lose your mental capacity before being able to do this, a deputy must be appointed by the Court of Protection. This can take several months and it can be expensive.

In Scotland, banks must allow the other account holders to continue to use the account under the Incapacity Scotland Act, so long as it was set up on an either-to-sign basis.

In Northern Ireland the process will vary depending on the provider.

How to close a joint bank account

What happens if you break up as a couple, or if you move out and don’t need an account with your flatmate anymore? Well, as long as you both agree on this, there’s nothing to worry about. You can split the money left in the account, move it back to your individual current accounts and then close the joint account.

In order to do so, you’ll usually need to visit a branch together and bring your debit card and proof of identity.

If you disagree on how to split the money, you can get in touch with the bank to cancel the mandate. The bank will then freeze the account until all the parties involved reach an agreement.

Pros and cons

Bottom line

A joint bank account is a good idea if you need your funds or savings to co-exist with someone else. So long as you find the right bank, trust the other person’s financial commitments, set out some ground rules and are aware of the potential impact it could have on your ability to borrow money, it should be smooth sailing.

Frequently asked questions

• Are deposits on joint bank accounts protected?

  They usually are, as long as you’re dealing with a fully licensed bank (it’s worth double-checking).

• Who owns the money in a joint bank account?

  Both the account holders do. That’s why you need to think carefully before opening one.

• Can you have a joint bank account if you are not married?

  Yes, you can open a joint account with your partner even if you aren’t married. You can even open one with a friend if you like.

• How do I remove a joint holder from the account?

  You will usually need to put your request in writing (some providers have a form you can fill out) and all account holders must sign the request. In some cases, you may also need to provide ID.

• Does a joint account come with any financial protection?

  A joint bank account comes with the same protection as any other bank account. Provided the account is with an authorised UK bank or building society, your money will be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

• What happens to a joint bank account when someone dies?

  When one account holder dies, the money in the account usually passes automatically to the surviving account holder. This means they will still be able to access the funds without the need for probate. The bank may ask for the death certificate to be able to transfer the money to the surviving account holder.

  In Scotland, the deceased person’s share of funds won’t automatically pass on to the surviving account holder, but the bank may agree to let them continue to operate the account.

Written by

Kate Steere

Editor

Kate Steere is an editor and money expert at Finder, specialising in banking, savings and fintech. She has previously written for The Motley Fool UK and Fitch Solutions, where she covered a wide range of personal finance topics and kept a close eye on market trends. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from the University of East Anglia. When not working, she can usually be found curled up with a good book or heading out for a run. See full bio

Kate's expertise

Kate has written 170 Finder guides across topics including:

• Banking
• Savings
• Fintech
• Credit
• Payments