Santander

Santander current accounts for March 2023

With its full range of current accounts, Santander offers everyday banking for a variety of different needs.

4.2 ★★★★★ (207 reviews) Write a review
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Has cashback options with its current accounts
No spending categories or saving pots in the banking app

Spanish-headquartered bank Santander combines the advantage of a big, established bank on the UK high street with a good choice of different current accounts.

Whether you’re looking for cashback on your bills or for a premium account that offers dedicated 24/7 customer service, you’re likely to find something that suits you.

Compare Santander’s current accounts

1 - 9 of 9
Name Product Ratings Account fees Funding requirement Interest (AER) Arranged overdraft Incentive Representative example Link
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OFFER
Everyday Current Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER
39.94% EAR variable
Sign up for Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers.
Current account switch service guarantee badgeRepresentative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you'll be charged interest at 39.94% EAR variable.
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123 Mini Current Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
1% AER

Free access to preferential rates, exclusive offers and discounts at 123 World.
Current account switch service guarantee badge
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Finder Award
OFFER
123 Student Current Account
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★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
Min. £500 per term
0% AER

A free 4-year Santander 16-25 railcard worth £100, plus a total average saving of £636 (average saving of £159 per year).
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Basic Current Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
No minimum funding requirement
0% AER

Sign up for Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers.
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Edge Current Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£3 per month
Min. £500 Per Month (Minimum two direct debit mandates on account per month)
0% AER
39.94% EAR variable
Cashback of 1% on communication, council tax, water bills, gas & electric bills paid via direct debit, capped at £10 per month.
Current account switch service guarantee badgeRepresentative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you'll be charged interest at 39.94% EAR variable. Account fee of £3 per month.
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Finder Award
OFFER
123 Current Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£4 per month
Min. £500 Per Month
2% AER
39.94% EAR variable
Cashback of 1% on communications & council tax bills and Santander mortgage payments up to maximum £1K per month capped at £5, 2% on gas & electricity bills and Santander home insurance and life protection premiums paid by DD from this account capped at £5, 3% on water bills.
Current account switch service guarantee badge
For interest and cashback on household bills, you must pay a minimum of £500 into your account each month; have 2 active Direct Debits and be over 18 years and live in the UK permanently.There is a £4 monthly fee for maintaining the account that will automatically be taken from your account each month.
Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200 you'll be charged interest at 39.94% EAR variable. Account fee of £4 per month.
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Select Current Account
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★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£4 per month
No minimum funding requirement
2% AER
N/A
Foreign exchange fee as well as cash handling fee will be waived if a Santander branded cash machine is used in selected countries.
Current account switch service guarantee badge Account fee of £4 per month.
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Private Current Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£4 per month
No minimum funding requirement
2% AER
N/A
Foreign exchange fee as well as cash handling fee will be waived if a Santander branded cash machine is used in selected countries.
Current account switch service guarantee badge Account fee of £4 per month.
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123 Graduate Account
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
User survey
★★★★★
★★★★★
£0
Monthly salary must be paid into this account
1% AER

Free access to preferential rates, exclusive offers and discounts at 123 World.
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Types of current account from Santander

Like most big banks, Santander has current accounts for all tastes, including:

  • Regular current accounts

    If you’re looking for a simple and straightforward account then you can apply for Santander’s Everyday Current Account in less than 10 minutes. It doesn’t charge any fees and is open to anyone over the age of 18. You can arrange an overdraft.
    Learn more about regular current accounts

  • Reward and incentive accounts

    In exchange for a monthly fee, with Santander’s reward accounts you can get cashback on your household bills and interest paid on your balance. Reward accounts can be ideal as main current accounts, because they offer good perks if you use them regularly.
    Learn more about reward and incentive accounts

  • Premium accounts

    If you meet the demanding financial criteria of a premium current account, you should probably go for it and enjoy the extra perks it comes with. Santander’s Select Current Account offers dedicated customer support and monthly interest paid on your balance.
    Learn more about premium current accounts

  • Student accounts

    Students usually need extra support with their finances and Santander’s student’s account provides it through a fee-free overdraft feature and a free railcard.
    Learn more about student accounts

  • Children’s accounts

    Santander’s 1|2|3 Mini Current Account can teach your children how to manage their finances from an early age, while also giving a little boost to their pocket money with a nice interest rate.
    Learn more about children’s accounts

  • Business accounts

    There are three business accounts to choose from with Santander. The 123 Business Account offers benefits such as cashback and interest paid on balances, while the Business Account is a straightforward bank account that offers free everyday banking for start-ups for the first few months. The third option is a Treasurer’s current account which offers free day-to-day banking for clubs, societies and charities.

    Learn more about business accounts

The benefits of banking with Santander

  • Perks. Santander offers different perks and rewards to its account holders depending on the type of current account – some even pay a decent interest rate on in-credit balances.
  • Multiple ways to bank. Depending on your preferences and banking style, you can do everything online or talk to someone in person at one of Santander’s 450 UK branches.
  • Mobile banking app. Santander’s mobile app doesn’t have tons of features but it looks clean and tidy, and allows you to see all your Santander accounts in the same place and to log in with your fingerprint. In a nutshell, it does the job just fine.
  • A wide range of related products. One of the benefits of big banks such as Santander is that if you need a bunch of different financial products (a mortgage, a credit card or a savings account) you can have them all with the same providers and choose from a variety of options.
  • Global acceptance. Santander cards are all either Mastercard or Visa, so they’re accepted pretty much anywhere in the world.

Opening an account with Santander

To open an account with Santander, you’ll have to provide the following information:

  • Your personal details and address history.
  • How much you expect to pay in each month.
  • Date you started your job.
  • Your salary details and any assets you have.
  • Your nationality/citizenship.
  • Proof of identity (passport, driving licence, EEA or Swiss national identity card).
  • Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement).

You can open a Santander account online or by visiting a branch.

Santander customer reviews

Santander was ranked sixth out of 18 current account providers in our independent 2023 customer satisfaction survey. Its users gave the brand 4.5 out of 5 stars and a massive 85% said they’d recommend the current account service. Users highlighted the bank’s strong customer service and its secure, easy-to-use smartphone app. Here’s what some of those Santander customers had to say in our survey:

“A reliable bank with excellent customer service.”

“Great customer service. Excellent in-branch experience.”

“Easy and secure online app.”

On the Apple App Store, Santander’s mobile banking app scored 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 1 million reviews. On the Google Play Store, it scores 4.4 out of 5 stars, from a total of 137,000 reviews (last updated, January 2023).

Our verdict

Santander offers a range of current accounts, and if you’re looking for a current account that pays rewards for spending and keeping an in-credit balance, this bank has to be one to explore further. But if Santander’s current accounts are not for you, you can also compare other current accounts here.

Frequently asked questions

Banking ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor

The customer satisfaction score ("Customers say") is based on a survey of 2,944 customers carried out in December 2022.

Learn the details of our methodology and scoring.

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.

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