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Direct Debits for Bank Switching

Most bank switch bonuses require 2-3 active Direct Debits. Here's what counts, what doesn't, and the cheapest way to set them up.

How many Direct Debits do I need — and how many can I have?

Most switch offers need 2-3 active Direct Debits, though some banks (like NatWest and TSB) need none. There is no limit on how many Direct Debits you can have — banks don't cap them, so you can safely run as many £1/month Direct Debits as you need across multiple switches.

Counts as a Direct Debit

  • • Council tax
  • • Gas & electricity bills
  • • Water bills
  • • Mortgage payments
  • • Loan repayments
  • • Insurance (car, home, life)
  • • TV Licence
  • • Charity donations (from £1/mo)
  • • PayPal (if set up as DD)
  • • Scrimpr Direct Debits (from 50p/mo)

Does NOT Count

  • • Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime
  • • Spotify, Apple Music
  • • Mobile phone contracts (usually card payment)
  • • Standing orders (different thing)
  • • Contactless/card payments
  • • PayPal (if set up as card payment)
  • • Subscriptions paid by debit card
  • • One-off payments

How to tell if a payment is a Direct Debit

A Direct Debit gives the company permission to take money directly from your bank account. It's different from a card payment (where you give your card number). In your banking app, Direct Debits usually appear in a separate section from card payments.

Key difference: With a Direct Debit, the company pulls money from your account using your sort code and account number. With a card payment (Continuous Payment Authority), the company charges your debit card number. Only Direct Debits count for bank switching requirements.

Cheapest ways to set up Direct Debits

If you don't have enough Direct Debits, here are the cheapest options:

1. StoozeMax Direct Debits (£1/month)

Recommended

Set up cheap Direct Debits in 2 minutes, right here. £1/month per DD via Bacs Direct Debit. Plus we'll send you reminders to cancel after your switch completes — so you never pay more than you need to.

Set Up Direct Debits

2. Charity Direct Debits (£1-2/month)

Most charities accept Direct Debit donations from £1 or £2 per month. Set up 2-3 small donations to different charities. You're doing good while meeting switch requirements. Cancer Research UK, RSPCA, Shelter, and most major charities offer this.

3. Scrimpr Direct Debits (50p/month)

Scrimpr.co.uk offers Direct Debits from 50p per month specifically designed for bank switching. Multiple Scrimpr DDs count as separate Direct Debits. Popular in the r/beermoneyuk community.

4. Move existing card payments to DD

Some services let you switch from card payment to Direct Debit. Check if your gym, broadband, or subscription services offer DD payment. This costs nothing extra.

Direct Debit requirements by bank

BankDDs RequiredNotes
First Direct2Must transfer via CASS
HSBC2Must transfer via CASS
Nationwide2Plus 1 debit card transaction
Club Lloyds3Plus debit card spend
Barclays2Blue Rewards account
NatWest / RBS0Just deposit £1,250
TSB0Deposit £1k + 5 card payments
Santander2From selected list
Co-op Bank2Plus 10 card payments in 30 days

Important timing rules

  • Set up DDs before initiating the switch — DDs established after you start the switch process may not count
  • Wait for DDs to appear in online banking — it can take 3-5 working days for a new DD to show up
  • DDs must have processed at least once — some banks require the DD to have actually taken a payment
  • Don't cancel DDs too early after switching — keep them running until the bonus has been paid

Direct Debit FAQs

What counts as a Direct Debit for bank switching?

A Direct Debit is a payment where the company pulls money from your bank account using your sort code and account number. Council tax, energy bills, water bills, insurance, TV Licence, and charity donations all count. Netflix, Spotify, and mobile phone contracts paid by card do NOT count.

What is the cheapest way to set up Direct Debits for bank switching?

The cheapest options are StoozeMax Direct Debits at £1/month (with reminders to cancel after your switch), Scrimpr Direct Debits from 50p/month, or charity donations from £1/month. You need 2-3 active Direct Debits for most bank switches.

How many Direct Debits do I need for a bank switch?

Most banks require 2-3 active Direct Debits. First Direct and HSBC require 2, Club Lloyds requires 3, and NatWest requires none (just a deposit). There's no limit on how many Direct Debits you can hold overall, so always check the specific offer terms as requirements vary.

Do Direct Debits need to have taken a payment before I switch?

Some banks require Direct Debits to have processed at least one payment before the switch. It's safest to set up your Direct Debits at least 1-2 weeks before initiating the switch, so they have time to collect.

Does Netflix count as a Direct Debit for bank switching?

No. Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and most streaming services are paid by card (Continuous Payment Authority), not Direct Debit. They do not count towards bank switch requirements. You need proper Direct Debits that use your sort code and account number.

Never miss a switch requirement again

StoozeMax shows you exactly what each bank needs: how many DDs, deposit amounts, spending requirements, and deadlines. All in one dashboard.

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