First Direct £175 Bank Switching Bonus — Full Guide April 2026 — BeSwitchReady
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First Direct — April 2026

First Direct £175 switching bonus — complete guide

Full eligibility requirements, step-by-step claim instructions, and how to also claim extra cashback via TopCashback. First Direct is consistently rated the UK's top bank for customer service. Updated April 2026.

£200
Cash bonus
Ends 28 May 2026
⚠ Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links to TopCashback or Quidco. BeSwitchReady may earn a small commission if you sign up. This never affects our editorial content or the bonuses we recommend. Learn more.
Full requirements
What you need to qualify
✓
Open a First Direct Account via the app — the switch must be initiated through the Barclays mobile app, not the website. Download it first before applying.
✓
Switch using CASS within 30 days — the Current Account Switch Service must be used to close your old account and move everything across. The switch takes 7 working days automatically.
★
Transfer at least 2 active Direct Debits — both must be actively collecting on the account you're switching from before you start the CASS switch. This is the most commonly missed requirement.
✓
Pay in £2,000 within 30 days — the money must arrive in the new account within 30 days of the switch completing. It doesn't need to stay — one lump sum is fine.
✗
✗
Must not have opened a Barclays account on or before 10 March 2026 — even if you closed it, a previous account before this date disqualifies you.
✗
Must not have previously received any Barclays switching bonus — this is a once-per-person offer. If you've claimed before, you cannot claim again.
✗
Not available for joint accounts, Premier accounts, or Business accounts — the £200 applies to standard personal First Direct Accounts only.
Important — the Direct Debit rule: The 2 Direct Debits must already be active and collecting on your old account before you switch. You cannot set them up after the switch has started. If your switching account has no Direct Debits, you need to sort this before applying.
💰 Stack extra cashback on top — the smart approach
Barclays switching bonus£200
TopCashback (if available — check before applying)+varies
BeSwitchReady annual cost−£41.88
Estimated net gain£158+

Always check TopCashback and Quidco before applying for any switching offer — additional cashback is sometimes available and stacks on top of the bank's own bonus.

Step by step
How to claim the Barclays bonus
1
Make sure you have 2 active Direct Debits
Check your current bank app — go to Account Settings → Direct Debits. You need 2 that are actively collecting. If you don't have them, BeSwitchReady sets up 2 real DDs in 2 minutes for £3.49/month — allow 3–5 working days for them to appear before starting the switch.
2
Check TopCashback and Quidco first
Before opening the Barclays app, check both TopCashback and Quidco to see if extra cashback is available on the First Direct Account. If it is, click through from the cashback site before applying to ensure it tracks.
3
Open the Barclays app and apply
Download the Barclays app → apply for a standard First Direct Account → when prompted, request a switch using CASS from your old account. The switch application and CASS request must both be completed in the app.
4
CASS completes in 7 working days
The Current Account Switch Service automatically moves your Direct Debits, standing orders, and balance. Your old account closes. Payments sent to your old account are redirected for 3+ years. You don't need to notify anyone.
5
Pay in £2,000 within 30 days
Transfer £2,000 into the new Barclays account within 30 days of the switch completing. This can be your salary, a transfer from savings, or multiple payments. It doesn't need to stay in the account — it just needs to arrive.
6
Receive your £200 within 45 days
Once all conditions are met, Barclays will text you to confirm and pay the £200 into your new account within 45 working days of the switch completing. No further action required.
Don't have 2 Direct Debits? BeSwitchReady creates 2 real, active UK Bacs Direct Debit mandates on your account in approximately 2 minutes via GoCardless (FCA regulated). They appear in your bank app within 3–5 working days and satisfy the Direct Debit requirement for many switching offers including Barclays. £3.49/month — cancel anytime. Get started →
Frequently asked
Barclays switching FAQ
Can I switch from a Barclays account to another Barclays account?

No. The switch must be from an account at a different bank. Switching between Barclays accounts does not qualify for the bonus.

What if my Direct Debits don't transfer via CASS?

CASS automatically moves all active Direct Debits from your old account. If a DD doesn't transfer, contact Barclays — you may still qualify if you can show the DDs were active before the switch. Always check your new account's DD list within a week of the switch completing.

Does the £2,000 need to stay in the account?

No. The £2,000 just needs to be paid in within 30 days. It can be a salary payment, a transfer from savings, or multiple transfers. Once it's been credited, you can move it immediately if you wish.

Can I switch to Barclays again in future?

No — the Barclays switching bonus is once per person only. However, once you've claimed the Barclays bonus you can switch away and claim bonuses from other banks (NatWest, First Direct, Santander etc.) using the same account as your switching vehicle.

What happens to my old account after switching?

Your old account is closed automatically by CASS. Any payments sent to it are redirected to your new Barclays account for at least 3 years. You don't need to notify anyone — CASS handles all of this.

Always verify before applying. Offer terms change without notice. Confirm current eligibility requirements at first-direct.co.uk before initiating a switch.

Meet the 2 Direct Debit requirement in 2 minutes

BeSwitchReady creates 2 real DDs on your account so you qualify for Barclays and every other switching offer.

Get started — £3.49/month →
BeSwitchReady is not affiliated with Barclays Bank. Offer details are accurate as of April 2026 but change frequently — always verify at first-direct.co.uk before applying. Whether BeSwitchReady's Direct Debits satisfy Barclays' specific eligibility criteria depends on their current terms. BeSwitchReady does not provide financial advice.
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