Most UK switch offers ask for money paid in, and your own money counts. Barclays is the one that wants a salary. Which offers work between jobs.
20 Oct 2026 · 3 min read
Yes, at most banks. The offers ask you to pay money in, and a transfer from another account in your name counts. Barclays is the exception, because it wants a salary paid by an employer.
What you do need is the pay-in amount to move, which is £1,000 to £2,000, and the direct debits the offer asks for.
Offers that take your own money
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NatWest and RBS want £1,250 paid in, in one or more payments, and it has to stay for 24 hours. No direct debits.
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Nationwide wants £1,000 paid in, and says money "you are transferring as part of the switch from your old account will count".
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first direct wants £1,000 deposited within 45 days, "all at once or at different times".
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HSBC wants £2,000. Its terms say a deposit includes "salary, bank transfers and cash".
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Lloyds asks for no pay-in, only 3 active direct debits moving across with the switch.
The one that needs a salary
Barclays wants "a salary of at least £2,000" paid into the new account within 30 days of opening it, and again each month for the extra £30 payments. A transfer from your own savings won’t meet that. If you’re about to start a job, the first salary guide covers timing it.
The same £1,000 to £2,000 can be paid into one account, counted, and moved on to the next.
Things to check first
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Opening an account usually means a credit check, and the application asks about your income. Answer it as it is.
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Direct debits cost money each month. Use bills you already pay, such as your phone or a utility.
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NatWest’s Reward account costs £2 a month.
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Keep enough outside the switching accounts to live on while money moves.
What we do about it
Bank Switcher marks Barclays as the offer that needs your salary, and shows the pay-in on every other step before you open anything. This is general information and isn’t financial advice.