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Direct Debit guide
Can I switch banks with no Direct Debits?
Yes. But most switching bonuses won't pay out without them. Here's what the banks ask for and how to get sorted quickly.
Updated 16 October 2026 · 5 min read
The short answer
You can switch with no Direct Debits, but you could miss the bonus.
Most current UK switching bonuses ask for two active Direct Debits (Lloyds asks for three). If you don't have them, set them up before you start your switch.
Checked October 2026. HSBC and First Direct are linked, so taking one usually rules out the other. See each offer page for the full rules.
How Direct Debits move when you switch
When you use the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), your new bank moves your existing Direct Debits and standing orders across for you, and the switch is guaranteed to complete within seven working days. Your old account is closed and payments carry on from the new one.
That's why banks like to see Direct Debits: they show you're moving a real, working account, not just opening one for the bonus.
What if I genuinely have no Direct Debits?
It's more common than you'd think, especially if you pay bills by card or from a partner's account. You have two realistic options:
Move a bill to Direct Debit. Mobile, broadband, energy, insurance, a gym or a subscription can usually be switched to Direct Debit in a few minutes.
Use a service that sets up two genuine Direct Debits for you. That's what BeSwitchReady does, for £1.98 a month.
Read the small print. Some offers have extra rules. Santander's recent £240 offer, for example, required household bill Direct Debits (council tax, phone, broadband, utilities and similar), which a membership Direct Debit didn't meet. We flag rules like this on each offer page.
How long should I wait?
Don't leave Direct Debits to the last minute. A new mandate usually takes around six working days before the first payment clears, so the order matters:
Set up your Direct DebitsDo this first, before you apply for the switch.
Wait for the first payments to clearAround six working days for a new mandate.
Start your switchApply with your chosen bank and give the switch details.
CASS completes the moveWithin seven working days, with your Direct Debits carried across.
Meet the bank's other conditionsSuch as paying in a set amount. The bonus then follows its own timetable.
The easy way
Two real Direct Debits for £1.98 a month
BeSwitchReady sets up two genuine £0.99 Direct Debits, so you're ready before you switch, and keeps you up to date on the offers worth switching for.
Two Direct Debits£0.99 each, £1.98 a month in total.
Offer alerts firstNew offers, boosts and ending dates, by email.
Your best next switchA monthly pick, with the order to do things in.
Cancel any timeThrough your bank, no minimum term.
Yes, the switch itself works. But most switching bonuses require a set number of active Direct Debits, so without them you could switch and miss the bonus.
How many Direct Debits do I need for a switching bonus?
Most current UK offers ask for two active Direct Debits. Lloyds asks for three. Always check the bank's own terms, as requirements can change.
How quickly can I get Direct Debits set up?
You can set them up online in minutes, but a new Direct Debit mandate usually takes around six working days before the first payment clears. Set them up before you start your switch, not after.
Do BeSwitchReady's Direct Debits count for every offer?
They suit offers that ask for a number of active Direct Debits. Some offers have extra rules. Santander's recent £240 offer, for example, required household bill Direct Debits, which a membership Direct Debit didn't meet. Always read the bank's terms first.
Free download
The UK Bank Switching Eligibility Database
Every live offer, its Direct Debit rules, banking groups and a switching checklist. Reviewed 1 November 2026.
This is general information, not financial advice. Offer terms can change, so always check the bank's own page before you apply. Requirements checked October 2026. BeSwitchReady is a paid membership service that sets up Direct Debits.