Founded in 2014 and licensed in 2016, Starling Bank holds a full UK banking licence and is regulated by the FCA and PRA. It is one of the few consistently profitable UK challenger banks, offering personal, joint, teen and business accounts.
You must be 18 or older, live in the UK and hold the right to reside there, with a UK address and UK mobile number. Non-UK residents — including EU/EEA residents post-Brexit — generally cannot open a new account.
These are stable, standing account benefits (not time-limited) — available as long as you qualify:
No. Starling requires applicants to be UK residents with the right to reside in the UK, plus a UK address and UK mobile number. Post-Brexit, Starling closed its Irish branch, so EU/EEA residents cannot onboard remotely either.
There is no minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance, so the account can be opened and used at £0.
Have a photo ID (passport, EU/EEA ID card, UK residence permit or UK driving licence), your UK address and a UK mobile number, then complete the in-app selfie video check.
The application is fully in-app and takes about 10–15 minutes, usually with instant approval and an immediate sort code and account number; the physical debit card arrives within 5–7 working days and no branch visit is needed.
Common reasons: not a UK resident or lacking the right to reside, documents failing automated verification, unverifiable address, already holding a Starling personal current account, or failing soft credit/compliance checks.
Standing benefits: No Monthly Fee, No Min Deposit, Fully Online, Digital Bank, Fast Approval. Promotions change by region and quarter — always check the bank's official promo page (verified 2026-10).
Having documents ready lowers the chance of rejection; policies change, so confirm with the bank before applying.