Starling Business Account Fees Guide

There are a number of different types of Starling Business Account fees. The core account is free, but cash deposits, CHAPS, paid add-ons, currency accounts and international payments can all affect the total payable.

This guide breaks down all of these fees in detail - everything from the standard account and paid add-ons to cash, CHAPS, cards, currency accounts and international payments - to help you make an informed decision.

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Starling business account fees at a glance

The standard GBP account is free to hold, but it is only one part of the price picture. This table focuses on the charges most likely to change a business's monthly or per-payment cost.

What is included with Starling's free GBP business account?

According to Starling's business-account page, its business account has no monthly fees, no transaction fees for payments to or from UK bank accounts, and no Starling fee for ATM withdrawals within the published daily limit.¹

That can make it a practical fit for a business that mainly receives and pays GBP in the UK. The free headline is less decisive if your routine includes cash deposits, CHAPS, paid workflow add-ons or more than one currency account.

According to Starling's business-account page, the account includes app-based tools such as spending notifications, digital receipts and Spaces for setting money aside. It also allows multiple directors to be added where they meet Starling's requirements.¹

Starling Business Toolkit and Bulk Payments fees

The two paid services are easy to overlook because they sit alongside the free current account.

If you only need either feature occasionally, a monthly add-on deserves the same scrutiny as a transaction fee. The value depends on the admin it saves and how often the business uses it.

Starling EUR and USD business account fees

According to Starling's EUR and USD fee documents, its optional currency accounts are separate paid products. They may suit a business that has a recurring EUR or USD payment flow, but their rules are currency-specific.^3,4

According to Starling's GBP, EUR and USD current-account fee documents, none provides interest on positive balances.^2,3,4 If holding a balance is part of the decision, that is worth separating from the transaction-fee question.

Starling cash, cards and CHAPS fees

Cash can turn a free account into a paid one quickly. According to Starling, Post Office deposits cost GBP 3 or 0.7% of the deposit value, whichever is higher.¹ Its GBP fee document also charges GBP 0.50 for a Post Office counter cash withdrawal.²

For card use abroad, Starling's GBP fee document does not charge a Starling fee for a foreign-currency card payment or cash withdrawal. The relevant card-scheme exchange rate can apply, and a merchant or local ATM provider may add its own charge.² That means 'no Starling fee' is useful information, though it is not the full cost comparison.

CHAPS is simpler: Starling charges GBP 20 for each CHAPS payment you instruct it to make.² If CHAPS is a regular operational need, include it in the monthly cost model rather than treating it as a rare exception.

International payment fees with Starling

According to Starling's business-account page, business customers can send payments to accounts in 34 countries.¹ For payments outside the UK or between accounts in different currencies, Starling's GBP fee document states that the exchange rate and fees shown in its app or online banking apply before the payment is made.²

According to Starling's GBP fee document, the payee's bank or another bank involved in processing can charge additional fees, which can reduce the amount the recipient receives.² Before you send, check the all-in quote, expected recipient amount, currency and delivery timing - particularly where the payment is a supplier deposit, payroll run or another deadline-driven expense.

Does Starling pay interest on business balances?

According to Starling's GBP, EUR and USD fee documents, no interest is payable on positive balances in those business current accounts.^2,3,4

Starling is no longer offering Fixed Savers for businesses. The page retains terms for accounts opened before 12 February 2024, rather than offering a current route for a new business applicant.⁵

How to work out your likely Starling business-account cost

Start with the account you would actually use, then add the recurring and occasional charges around it.

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FAQs

Is a Starling business account free?

According to Starling's GBP fee document, the standard GBP Business Current Account has no monthly account fee.² Paid services and per-use charges can still apply, including currency accounts, Business Toolkit, Bulk Payments, CHAPS and cash deposits.^1,2,3,4

Are these Starling fees for a business account or a sole trader account?

This guide focuses on Starling's Business Current Account for eligible limited companies and LLPs. Its GBP fee document also covers Sole Trader Current Accounts, and states that neither account type has a fee for holding the account.² Some terms can differ, particularly for an arranged overdraft, so check the product-specific terms before assuming every feature or charge is the same.

How much does Starling charge for EUR and USD business accounts?

According to Starling's EUR fee document, the EUR business account costs GBP 2 a month.⁴ According to its USD fee document, the USD business account costs GBP 5 a month.³

Does Starling charge for cash deposits?

Yes. According to Starling, a Post Office cash deposit costs GBP 3 or 0.7% of the deposit value, whichever is higher.¹

Does Starling charge for CHAPS?

Yes. Starling's GBP fee document lists GBP 20 for each instructed CHAPS payment.²

Does Starling pay interest on business balances?

According to Starling's GBP, EUR and USD fee documents, no interest is payable on positive balances in these business current accounts.^2,3,4 Starling is also no longer offering Fixed Savers to new business applicants.⁵

Is money in a Starling business account protected by the FSCS?

According to Starling's FSCS information sheet, eligible deposits in a business account are treated as one depositor and are protected up to GBP 120,000 per depositor, per bank, building society or credit union, subject to eligibility and exclusions.⁶

Sources:

1. Business bank account | No monthly fees | Starling
2. Rates, Fees and Charges Applicable to: All GBP Business Current Accounts and GBP Sole Trader Current Accounts
3. Rates, Fees and Charges Applicable to: All USD Business Current Accounts
4. Rates, Fees and Charges Applicable to: All Euro Business Current Accounts and Euro Sole Trader Current Accounts
5. Business Fixed Saver | Starling
6. Financial Services Compensation Scheme Information Sheet | Starling

Sources last checked on 28th July 2026