Get a £20 welcome bonus when you spend your first £20 (T&Cs apply).
To open a Revolut account and get your prepaid card, you’ll first need to download the app. Once you’ve done this, enter your phone number and create a passcode for your account. You’ll then need to enter some personal details, including your name, date of birth, address and email address. You’ll also need to verify your identity by taking a video selfie and a photo of a valid form of ID such as your passport. You won’t need proof of address. It’s possible to be up and running within a few minutes, but in some cases it could take 24 hours or more.
Pros
Low overseas fees
Quick sign-up
Earn cashback on spending
Set budgets for financial goals
Virtual cards for online purchases
Easy to transfer money internationally
Linked 'Junior' account available for one child
Cons
1% currency conversion charge on weekend spending abroad
Free cash withdrawals in the UK and abroad both limited to £200 per month
Cannot deposit cash or cheques into the account
Charged a fee to receive your bank card
Minimum opening balance
£0
Account fees
£0
Overseas card transactions
0% Mon-Fri (max. £1,000 per month)
Overseas cash withdrawals
0% Mon-Fri (max. £1,000 per month) conversion fee plus cash fee of £0 up to £200 per month
According to Suits Me, accounts are typically up and running within 10 minutes, although in some cases it can take up to 24 hours. No credit checks are required and all you’ll need to do is download the app and fill in the short application form. You’ll need to provide your name, email address, phone number and address details, as well as take a photo of your ID document such as a passport. You will also need to provide a video selfie to confirm your identity. Once approved, you can use your account and your card should arrive within 3 to 5 working days.
Pros
Accepts range of ID documents, ideal if you’ve recently moved to the UK
Monese offers an instant account opening process, so you should get hold of your card quickly. Simply download the app and provide a few personal details including your email address and phone number. You’ll also need to take a photo of an ID document such as your passport and take a short video selfie in the app to confirm your identity. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be asked to provide an address to receive your card but there’s no need to provide proof of address. You’ll then have full access to your account and you should receive your card within 3 to 5 days.
Pros
UK current account that does all you can expect, including direct debits and standing orders.
Fast and easy set-up (no credit check or proof of local address needed).
Colourful app that is easy to use, allows you to categorise your transactions and freeze the card if you lose it.
Free card payments and ATM withdrawals abroad.
You can load cash into the account for free.
Can open both a UK and European account and switch instantly.
Cons
With a free plan, fee-free ATM withdrawals and cash loads are limited to £200 per month.
You can’t put your savings in a separate account or earn interest on them.
It doesn’t offer anything more than a current account.
While you’re unlikely to get a prepaid card without any ID whatsoever, you can usually find accounts with less strict requirements than when setting up a bank account.
You’ll need some form of ID is so banks can prove you’re not committing fraud and do anti-laundering checks.
However, because prepaid cards do not offer any credit (such as an overdraft or credit card), many do not need the usual proof of address. You also shouldn’t need to pass a credit check, because you won’t be borrowing any money.
What documents will be required?
Different providers have different rules about what forms of ID they will accept. The types of documents that providers might accept instead of a passport or driving licence include:
HMRC tax credit entitlement confirmation
Evidence of entitlement to a state or local authority funded benefit
DWP state pension confirmation
Birth certificate
Young Scots card
Blue Disabled drivers pass
UK Armed Forces ID Card
Northern Ireland electoral ID card
Visa type D alongside international passport
UK residence card
An EU ID card or EEA member state ID card
Firearms certificate or shotgun licence
Biometric residence permit
Construction industry scheme card
If you don’t have any of these forms of ID, some providers might also accept other things like an HMRC letter valid for the current tax year or dated within the last 12 months. It’s worth ringing up the company directly to see what’s possible.
While some providers will accept you without any proof of address, some banks, building societies and digital apps still require documentation. The good news is that the list of what they will accept for a prepaid card is usually quite broad. For instance, you could use:
UK, EU, EEA driver’s licence
A bank or building society statement
A utility bill
Benefits or DWP Pension confirmation
Council tax bill
Any letter from HMRC
Tenancy agreement from a council or housing association
Credit card or store card statement
Council rent card
Firearms certificate or shotgun licence
Bankruptcy Order, Bankruptcy Restriction Order or Debt Relief Order
Mortgage statement
Inland Revenue Notice of Tax
Solicitor’s letter
Recent proof that you’re entitled to a local authority funded benefit
Probation letter from HMP
Council tax demand letter
Insurance policy document
Confirmation letter from a university for occupation of the halls of residence
Solicitor’s completion of sale advice
Court Appointment
Alternatives to a prepaid card
All UK banks and building societies have to offer a free basic bank account option. While many of these accounts often ask for photo ID and proof of address, many accept a wide range of documents similar to those used by prepaid card providers.
Check banking websites to find out what kinds of ID they will accept. Many have more options available if you open an account in a physical branch, so check to see your nearest locations.
Bottom line
While it’s harder to get a prepaid card without a photo ID, it’s not impossible. Plenty of providers accept a wide range of documents, so even if you don’t have a driving license or have just moved to the UK, you should be able to open an account.
Frequently asked questions
Many prepaid accounts charge fees, which can include set-up costs, loading fees, monthly fees and even fees if you don’t use the card for a set period. Check the terms and conditions carefully before you apply for a card, and consider whether cheaper alternatives are available.
Yes, you might be able to set up a basic bank account. As with prepaid cards, you’ll have to verify your identity, but the range of documents you can use tends to be far wider.
Not all prepaid card providers are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which means you will not always be protected if a company goes bust. However, many of these cards hold their funds with a bank or building society that may give you some protection. Check where your funds are held and whether there is FSCS protection before you apply.
This depends on the provider, but common options include having your salary paid onto the card, topping up from a bank account or even adding money in a physical branch.
No, prepaid cards are not covered by Section 75, which means you have fewer legal rights to get a refund if you are unhappy with your purchases.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
Sara Benwell is an award-winning freelance journalist, comms consultant and editor, specialising in personal finance, pensions and investments. She is a consumer affairs expert, focused on helping people better understand how to manage their money. Sara is also the editor of Strategic Risk magazine.
Sara was previously the consumer finance editor at Good Housekeeping, the most widely read women’s magazine in the UK. She has also worked as the editor of Insurance Investor, Fund Operator, Pensions Insight, Engaged Investor and Reward Magazines. See full bio
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