Santander UK debit card: an overview of features, fees, and limits

Looking for a new debit card, or want to switch your provider? You’ll have a lot of choice, from traditional banks to online money services. It can be tricky to know which one to go for, but we’re here to help.

In this guide, we’ll be focusing on the Santander debit card for UK customers. To help you decide if it’s the right choice for you, we’ll look at the card’s features, fees, limits and everything else you need to know.

This includes how the Santander card works both here in the UK and internationally. This could be handy if you have an overseas trip coming up.

Plus, we’ll show you another option – the Wise debit card. This international card is a fantastic low-cost alternative to bank cards. It lets you spend in the local currency in 150+ countries, for low fees and fair exchange rates.

Learn more about the Wise debit card

Santander debit card packages in the UK

Like with many UK banks, Santander offers a debit card as standard with most of its current accounts. We’ll look at the different packages available below, including the key benefits and features of each account.

But with most packages, you can expect similar features such as:

• Contactless debit card payments (except for the under 16s Basic Current Account)
• The option to use your card with digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay
• No fees when using Santander cash machines abroad¹
• Access to online banking and the Santander mobile banking app
• Access to Santander Boosts rewards programme, including discounts on card spending with selected retailers.

Santander debit cards use the Mastercard payment network, which is accepted worldwide.

Now, let’s look at the different accounts you can get a Santander debit card with.

Santander Edge Current Account

The Santander Edge account is designed for over 18s, and comes with a monthly fee of £3. You’ll need to make sure you pay in at least £500 a month and have at least two active Direct Debits.²

In return, you’ll get a contactless Santander Mastercard and the chance to earn cashback on supermarket and travel spending using your debit card. There’s also cashback available on certain household bills paid by Direct Debit.²

Santander 1|2|3 Current Account

You can also get a Santander debit card with the bank’s 1|2|3 Current Account for over 18s. The monthly fee is a little higher at £4, and you’ll again need to pay in at least £500 a month and have a minimum of two active Direct Debits.²

With this account, you’ll get cashback on monthly bills, but not on debit card spending. However, you will earn interest on your balance.²

Santander Select Current Account

The Santander Select Account is for over 18s and comes with a monthly fee of £4. However, it’s only available to those who can pay in at least £5,000 a month, or keep £75,000 in a Santander current, savings or investment account.³

But if you can meet these higher requirements, you’ll get both cashback and interest along with a debit card and current account. This includes cashback on your household bills, but not on everyday card spending like with the Santander Edge Account.³

Santander Everyday Current Account

The Santander Everyday account is designed for over 18s looking for a straightforward account and debit card with no monthly fee. It doesn’t have any cashback or interest, although you can still access the Santander Boosts rewards programme.²

Santander Basic Current Account

If you have a poor credit score or aren’t eligible for other current accounts, this could be the right option for you. The Santander Basic Current Account is also a suitable option for people who are new to the UK and are here to work or study.²

The account has no monthly fee, but you won’t get access to perks such as cashback or interest on your balance. However, you will get basic everyday banking features, including a Santander contactless debit Mastercard.²

There’s also a version of this account for under 16s, which comes with a non-contactless debit card.²

Looking to open a student account? Check out the Santander 1|2|3 Student Current Account, which comes with a free 4-year railcard along with an interest-free overdraft. Or take a look at the best UK bank accounts for international students.

How does Santander debit card work?

The Santander debit card works just like any other bank-issued debit card. You can use it to withdraw cash at ATMs, and spend both online and in physical stores. It’s contactless, so you can just tap to spend wherever contactless payments are accepted.

With some Santander accounts, you’ll even get cashback when you spend in supermarkets, on travel or with other selected retailers.

How to get a new UK-issued debit card from Santander

To get a new debit card from Santander, you’ll first need to apply for and open a Santander current account. You’ll need a couple of key documents to hand, including your passport or driving licence (or another valid form of ID) and proof of address.

Once your account is open, your debit card will be automatically posted to your UK address.

If you already have a Santander account but need a replacement card (for example, due to loss, theft or damage), you can find more information on getting a new card here.

Debit card fees for Santander in the UK

Now we come to the important part - how much does it cost to use a Santander card?

Here are the main Santander debit card fees you need to know about, including using your Santander card abroad:⁴

As you can see, you’ll need to be careful when using your Santander debit card abroad. It helps that you can save money on cash withdrawals by using Santander ATMs. However, this may not always be possible, especially if you’re travelling to a country where Santander doesn’t have any ATMs.

For a truly international and low-cost way to spend worldwide, check out the Wise debit card. It can be used in 150+ countries, and automatically converts your money to the local currency whenever you spend abroad. You’ll only pay a small transparent conversion fee, or it's free if you already have the currency in your Wise account.*

Best of all? Every transaction in foreign currency is done using the fair mid-market exchange rate with no mark up or hidden fees.

Sign up with Wise

Santander debit card limits in the UK

As with many debit cards, the Santander card comes with a few limits you’ll need to be aware of. These restrict how much you can spend or withdraw at once.

Here are the main Santander debit card limits you should know about:

Debit card limits abroad

Lastly, some pointers about using your Santander card abroad. You’ll need to check with the bank whether there are any specific limits about withdrawing cash and spending when in another country, or if the UK limits apply.

And as we’ve looked at above, using UK-issued debit cards abroad can often work out very expensive. If you’re looking to withdraw cash, aim to find an ATM provided by Santander to avoid the fees. Otherwise, this won’t be the cheapest way to withdraw cash to cover your trip.

And that’s pretty much it - all the essentials you need to know about getting and using a Santander debit card in the UK.

We’ve looked at the accounts which come with a debit card as standard, along with fees and limits for using your card. Crucially, we’ve also covered a few key things about using your Santander card abroad, as it can be expensive if you’re not careful.

So after reading this guide, you should be all set to decide whether the Santander debit card is the right one for you. There’s lots of choice out there, including non-traditional banks and providers. Your debit card is an essential for everyday spending, so make sure to take your time and compare all the available options.

If you want a convenient card for low-cost international spending and ATM withdrawals, consider using an alternative like the Wise debit card instead.

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 19-Mar-2023