Before you start

What you'll need

During the application we’ll ask for:

  • your income details
  • your home address over the last three years.

Make sure you have these ready.

Switch bank accounts

You can switch your existing bank account to us during the application.

You’ll just need your existing:

  • sort code and account number
  • debit card number and expiry date

Checking your ID

At the end of the application we may ask you to provide photo ID and proof of address.

Opening a joint account

To open a joint account online you must both bank with Halifax and sign in to Online or Mobile Banking app.

If you are not a Halifax customer, discover more about joint accounts.

  • How does the Current Account Switch Service work?

    Day 1

    New Customers
    Apply for a new current account and select to switch.

    Existing Customers
    Sign in and complete our switching form.

    Days 1-6

    You can continue to use your old account and your Halifax account.

    We will transfer all your standing orders, direct debits, payments and wages from your old account to your selected account.

    Day 7

    Switch complete.

    We will close your old account and move any funds to your Halifax account. 

    6 months 0% interest free arranged overdraft when you switch

    To help you during your switch, we may be able to arrange an interest-free arranged overdraft for 6 months, subject to application and approval. An arranged overdraft can act as a useful safety net. You can use it to borrow money up to an agreed limit through your bank account.

    To qualify for the interest-free offer you must:

    • Use the Current Account Switch Service. This service means your old account will be closed and all your payments transferred to your new Halifax account.
    • Have not used the offer within the last 12 months.
    • Have applied, and been approved for an arranged overdraft on your new Halifax account.

    What happens after the 0% interest free period ends?

    Once your six month interest-free period ends we will charge interest daily. The daily arranged overdraft interest rate will be based on how you manage any accounts with us and on the credit information we hold about you. We will let you know this rate in the pre contract credit information we give you if you apply for an arranged overdraft.

     

    Representative example (based on using a Current Account)

    An arranged overdraft on a Current Account has a variable interest rate of 39.9% EAR, and a variable representative rate of 39.9% APR, based on borrowing £1,200.

    How does our overdraft compare?

    You can use the representative APR to compare with other products or credit providers, this can help you make sure that you choose the right type of borrowing for you.

    How much does my overdraft cost in pounds and pence?

    As an example, the interest cost of borrowing £500 is: £3.22 for 7 days, £13.86 for 30 days and £28.09 for 60 days.

    Arranged overdrafts are subject to application and approval and repayable on demand. You must be 18 or over to apply. Arranged overdraft limits and interest rates vary based on your individual circumstances.

    Current Account Switch Guarantee

    We have designed the Current Account Switch Service to let you switch your current account from one bank or building society to another in a simple, reliable and stress-free way. It will only take seven working days. As your new current-account provider we offer the following guarantee.

    • The service is free to use and you can choose and agree your switch date with us.
    • We will take care of moving all your payments going out (for example, your Direct Debits and standing orders) and those coming in (for example, your salary).
    • If you have money in your old account, we will transfer it to your new account on your switch date.
    • We will arrange for payments accidentally made to your old account to be automatically redirected to your new account. We will also contact the sender and give them your new account details.
    • If there are any issues in making the switch, we will contact you before your switch date.
    • If anything goes wrong with the switch, as soon as we are told, we will refund any interest (paid or lost) and charges made on either your old or new current accounts as a result of this failure.

    For more information and FAQs, please read the Account Switching Guide (PDF 1.7MB).

    Current Account Switch Guarantee
    Crystal Mark 20785. Clarity approved by Plain English Campaign.
  • We will need to carry out identification and verification checks on you, as well as anyone else who will be authorised to operate your account.

    In most cases you will only need to produce one of the following:

    • A current UK photo driving license
    • Passport from the United Kingdom
    • Biometric Residence Permit card

    If you are an existing customer, you can use your existing bank card with Chip & Pin to verify your identity.

    The Biometric Residence Permit card may not be accepted in all our online journeys. You may need to provide additional documentation.

    If you cannot provide one of the items above, you will need to bring two documents. You can find a full list of acceptable documents on our Proving your identity webpage.

    If you do not have any of the items listed here we may be able to accept other items. Just ask a member of our branch staff or call us.

    Back to top

Before continuing please read our important information on the optional arranged overdraft

An arranged overdraft can act as a short term safety net. You can use it to borrow money up to an agreed limit through your bank account.

  • You can apply to add an arranged overdraft to your account and you’ll only pay daily arranged overdraft interest if you use it.
  • If you use your arranged overdraft but pay it back before the end of the day, then you won’t pay any arranged overdraft interest for that day.

Helpful tools - You can use our eligibility checker and cost calculator to check your eligibility and calculate the cost of an arranged overdraft.

Applying for an arranged overdraft - When you have applied for this account, at the end of the application you can apply for an arranged overdraft which you can add right away. You can also apply for one later.

Amending an arranged overdraft - You can reduce or remove your arranged overdraft at any time through Mobile Banking, Online Banking or Telephone Banking or by visiting your branch. But you must repay anything you owe if you want to remove an arranged overdraft or anything over the new reduced limit you want. You can also apply to increase it. Using an arranged overdraft increases your overall borrowing and may affect your credit score.

If you don't have enough money in your account or available arranged overdraft to make a payment, we may either let you borrow through an unarranged overdraft or refuse to make the payment. Missing payments and using an unarranged overdraft can damage your credit score, please get in touch with us as we may be able to help you.

All overdrafts are subject to application and repayable on demand. You must be 18 or over to apply.

 

  • Arranged overdraft details

    • £0 interest free amount
    • 39.9% EAR (variable) representative
    • Your interest rate will be based on how you manage any accounts you have with us and on the credit information we hold about you
    • No unarranged overdraft interest, fees or charges

    Representative example

    Arranged overdraft representative example

    A variable representative rate of

    A variable interest rate of

    Based on borrowing

    A variable representative rate of

    39.9% APR

    A variable interest rate of

    39.9% EAR*

    Based on borrowing

    £1,200

    How does our overdraft compare?

    You can use the representative APR to compare with other products or credit providers, this can help you make sure that you choose the right type of borrowing for you.

     

    How much does my overdraft cost in pounds and pence?

    As an example, the interest cost of borrowing £500 is:

    £3.22 for 7 days

    £13.86 for 30 days

    £28.09 for 60 days

    Useful tools

    You can use our calculator to work out how much your anticipated arranged overdraft borrowing would cost over different periods of time. Check your eligibility and calculate the cost of an arranged overdraft:

    Cost Calculator      Eligibility Tool

    *EAR is the Equivalent Annual Rate. This is the annual interest rate of an overdraft. This means you are charged over the year based on how often and how much you are overdrawn by, and the effect of compounding it – charging interest on interest already charged. This interest rate does not include any other fees and charges.

    Find out more about arranged overdrafts

    If you already have a current account with us and would like an arranged overdraft, you can apply for one through Online Banking or Mobile Banking. You can also apply to increase your existing arranged overdraft too.

    Apply for an arranged overdraft

Ready to open a Current Account?

Continue

Halifax current accounts and services are offered subject to status. Available only to personal customers aged 18 or over who are resident in the UK.

Whether you can have an arranged overdraft and the amount will depend upon your personal circumstances at the time you apply for one. Any overdraft we agree is repayable on demand.