Why choose the Essentials Current Account?

For those who have recently come to the UK to work or study, this is an account that could help you get started.

There is a £1 monthly fee to maintain the account, that will be automatically taken from your account each month.
 
You can:

• Have your salary or other income paid in.

• Pay bills.

• Set up Direct Debits and standing orders.

• Transfer money online.

• Withdraw up to £300 a day from any Santander or Link cash machine.

You won't earn any interest on your balance and this account doesn’t offer an overdraft.

The Essentials Current Account will let you bank in the UK and build up a credit history that may let you access additional banking facilities with Santander in the future (subject to eligibility). 

What you can get

• Santander contactless debit card: quick and secure method of buying goods and services at home and abroad.

• Contactless payments with your mobile: link your Santander debit or credit card to your Apple, Android, Samsung device.

• Retailer Offers: earn cashback of up to 15% at a range of major retailers when you use your Santander Visa debit card. Just sign up, switch your offers on and you’re ready to go.
  

Things to remember
If you try to make a payment without having enough money in your account you may incur a £10 fee for refusing a payment due to lack of funds. The Essentials Current Account has a monthly cap for Unarranged Overdraft fees of £50 which means that you will never be charged more than £50 a month in fees for refusing a payment due to lack of funds.

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

Overdraft alerts
We’ll automatically send you alerts about your balance and payments e.g. when your balance falls below zero, a payment has gone unpaid or you need to pay money in to cover a payment. These alerts will be sent by text message and/or email. 

Once your account has been set up you can update your alert settings at any time by logging on to Online Banking, visiting one of our branches or by calling us on 0800 9 123 123.

You can apply for the Essentials Current Account if you’re 18 years of age or over and have a UK residential address. You can only hold one Essentials Current Account, either in your own name or in joint names.

As you are new to the UK, you may also want to take a look at our Basic Current Account. This account  doesn’t offer an overdraft facility or a cheque book and comes with a cash card and a Top-up Debit card. There is no monthly account fee on this account.

Please read the full product details, Key Facts document, Fee Information Document and Terms and Conditions before applying. Other accounts are available; see our current account product range to find out more.

 

If you already have a UK bank account you can switch to the Essentials Current Account in just 7 working days

• You can switch either to a new account, or one you've already got with us

• Our dedicated switcher team will switch all of your Direct Debits, standing orders and your salary or other income 

• Choose when your switch starts - this can be up to 60 days in the future

• Your switch will only take 7 working days

• We'll keep you updated of progress by letter, text and e-mail

• We'll close your old account and redirect any payments to your Essentials Current Account 

• There's no overdraft facility on the Essentials Current Account so you won't be able to move an overdraft across

How to switch

If you don't already have a Santander Current Account, you can apply by visiting us in branch. We'll ask you during the application if you want to switch an account you hold elsewhere to Santander.

If you're an existing customer and you have an account with another provider that you would like to switch to your existing Santander account, please visit your local branch

To switch you'll need to give us

• your existing sort code and account number

• your existing debit card number and expiry date. If you are switching a joint account to us, we'll need the debit card details for all applicants

Check if your current bank or building society is signed up to the Current Account Switch Service

From day-to-day banking to exclusive offers, do it your way
Because we know you have busy lives and are often on the move, we want to give you ways to bank that make life easier. We’re always looking for new ways to bank that help you do what you need to do, with your phone, computer or in person.

So if you're on the sofa, log on with your tablet to see the nearby offers you could make the most of with Retailer Offers. If you want to pay a friend for your share of a night out, use Paym on your mobile to make a quick transfer with no need for bank details. And if you're on the high street pop in for the personal service.

Need a hand? Send Me The Link is here to help
Send Me The Link lets you send yourself links for our mobile apps, videos, guides and factsheets so you can learn more about Online and Mobile Banking.

Here are just a few of the things you can do:

	Mobile Banking Our fastest growing way to bank. Use your phone or device to: see balances and make payments register for Retailer Offers to earn cashback on your spend set up personalised account alerts  to let you know what's going on with your money And much more Take a look at our Mobile Banking videos   Get the app
	Online Banking 24/7 banking on your desktop or laptop computer. Everything you can do on mobile, plus: view your statements and other important information online change between paper and paper-free statements manage personal details such as change of address register to receive mobile-to-mobile payments with Paym   And much more Take a look at our Online Banking videos   Sign up
	Branches Come in and see us for: face-to-face support in managing your account free customer wi-fi: bring your own device into branch and we'll help you with our online and mobile services Find a branch
	Telephone Banking with our UK-based team on hand until 9pm most nights, and an automated service when they go home, do your banking by telephone any day of the week call us on 0800 9 123 123 Find out more
	ATM Use our ATMs for: withdrawing cash making cash and cheque deposits checking your balance managing your PIN  Find out more
	Post Office Use Post Office branches to make cash withdrawals, balance enquiries, cash deposits and cheque deposits Find out more

Protect yourself from fraud

It’s very important that your keep your banking details private and secure.

• Never share a Santander One Time Passcode (OTP) with another person. Not even a Santander employee.
• Never download software or let anyone log on to your computer or other devices remotely following or during a cold call.
• Never enter your Online Banking details or bank card details after clicking on a link in an email or text message.

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.

Everything you need to know before you apply
We recommend reading the information in the documents below before you apply. You should print or save copies of these documents for your records and future reference

• Essentials Current Account Key Facts Document including Pre-Contractual Information and FSCS Information sheet and Exclusions List

• Fee Information Document details the main fees and charges on this account

• General Terms & Conditions including Terms of Business

To view these documents, you may need to download Adobe Reader

Before applying please remember to read the full details and terms and conditions sections.

If you've come to the UK to study, you can apply for an Essentials Current Account if you:

• are aged 18 or over

• have a UK residential address

• have moved to the UK within the last 12 months

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

If you've come to the UK to work, you can apply for an Essentials Current Account if you:

• are aged 18 or over

• have a UK residential address

• have moved to the UK within the last 12 months

• can provide proof of employment from a company registered in the UK (contract or HR letter from a searchable company registered in the UK stating the customer's UK address in full).

How to apply

Studying in the UK		Working in the UK
You can apply or continue your application online straight away, or Visit one of our university branches, which show as ‘University branch’ in our branch finder. It's probably best to book an appointment first.		You can apply in any branch, but it's probably best to book an appointment first. You can do this online quickly and easily below.
Apply now	Continue application	Book now

If you're applying in branch, please bring proof of your name and UK address – see a list of identification we accept (pdf)