Essentials Current Account

There’s a £1 monthly fee to maintain the account. We take it from your account automatically each month.

The Fee Information Document (pdf, 116 KB) details the main fees and charges on this account. For further explanation of our main terms and services take a look at our Glossary

There’s no overdraft facility available with this account, however there may be circumstances where you make a payment that we’re unable to prevent which will take your account into a negative balance. In these cases, you won’t incur Unarranged Overdraft Usage fees or fees for allowing a payment despite lack of funds on this account. In circumstances where we don’t allow the payment to go through, you won’t be charged a fee for refusing a payment due to lack of funds.

Overdrafts depend on your circumstances and you must repay any overdraft when we ask in line with our General Terms and Conditions.

You’ll be automatically set up to receive text alerts when:

• your balance falls below zero
• you have regular payments due on your account for which you have insufficient funds to cover, we will ask you to pay into your account to ensure these payments are made;
• where a payment is refused as you don’t have enough funds.

If we don’t have a valid mobile number for you, we might not be able to reach you.

You can also register for other account alerts to help you to stay on top of your finances. For example, alerts to advise you when your balance has fallen below a set limit, or you have had a deposit into your account greater than a set amount. 

For more information visit Account alerts
You can manage your alerts settings at any time by using Online Banking, calling us on 0800 9 123 123 or visiting a branch.

If you need support with managing your money or if you’re in debt, please visit our money worries page for further support.

• Online Banking
• Mobile Banking
• Contactless payments: link your Santander debit or credit card to your Apple, Android or Samsung device
• In branch
• Telephone Banking
• ATM
• Post Office to make withdrawals, balance enquiries, cash deposits and cheque deposits

Keep your banking details private and secure.

For more information about our approach to security as well as more useful information to help you stop the threat of fraud visit our Security Centre

This account doesn't pay interest.

• You’re 18 or over and have a UK residential address 
• You’ve moved to the UK within the last 12 months
• You can provide proof of study or employment in the UK

You can only have one Essentials Current Account, either in your own name or in joint names.
You must use the Essentials Current Account as your main current account.

• Proof that you’ve been accepted in the UK with a higher education provider for a minimum of 1 year. This can be a letter of acceptance/admission from the university/college/school confirming UK study details (name, course details, dates and current UK address).  Alternatively, you can provide a letter of introduction for UK banking facilities from the university/college/school, or a student ID card issued by a recognised UK university.

• Proof of employment from a company registered in the UK. This can be a contract or HR letter from a searchable company registered in the UK stating the customer’s UK address in full.

In addition to your proof of study or employment in the UK you'll also need to bring proof of your name and address – see a list of acceptable identification (pdf)