Most UK bank switching offers ask you to bring at least two active direct debits with you, and Lloyds currently asks for three. If the account you're switching from doesn't have enough, you'll need to add some before you apply. This guide covers where direct debits come from, how to set one up, and how to time it so your bonus isn't refused.
First: you can't create a direct debit yourself
A direct debit is a payment the payee collects from your account. You give them permission, called a mandate, and they pull the money on the agreed date. That's why there's no "set up a direct debit" button in your banking app.
A standing order is different: you push the money yourself, and you can set one up in your app in a minute. Most banks' switching offers don't accept standing orders. first direct is currently the exception.
So to add a direct debit, you need an organisation that collects payments by direct debit to set one up with you.
Your options
| Option | Good for |
|---|---|
| Move an existing bill | Free and counts everywhere, including Santander. But you'll need to move it again next time you switch. |
| Charity donation | Counts at most banks. Minimums are usually a few pounds a month, and charities rely on long-term donors, so only do it if you mean to keep giving. |
| Savings apps or PayPal | Some savings and payment apps collect by direct debit, but setup can be slow and your money is tied up. |
| A £1 direct debit service | The quickest option, with no bills to move. Easy Debit sets one up in under 60 seconds, from £1 a month. |
Whichever route you take, check the offer's terms first. Santander's current £240 offer only counts household bills: council tax, phone, broadband, paid-for TV and utilities. For that offer, moving real bills is the only option. HSBC, first direct, Lloyds and Nationwide don't restrict who the direct debits are paid to. See what counts as an active direct debit for the full bank-by-bank rules.
How to set up a £1 direct debit with Easy Debit
- Choose a plan: Setup ASAP (£2/month) if you want to switch within the next week or two, or First of the Month (£1/month) if you're planning ahead.
- Check out: Enter the sort code and account number of the account you're switching from. This is the account the direct debit needs to be on so it moves across with the switch. Payments are handled by Stripe, and we never see or store your bank details.
- Need more than one? Repeat the checkout for each direct debit you need. There's no limit.
- Wait for the first payment: New direct debits run on the Bacs system, so the first payment takes a few working days to leave your account.
- Check your banking app: Look for the payment having left your account, not just the mandate being listed. Then start your switch.
Need direct debits fast?
Set up a £1 direct debit on the account you're switching from in under 60 seconds. Processed by Stripe, protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee, and you can cancel anytime from your banking app.
Set Up Direct Debits NowHow long before switching should I set it up?
Aim for about a week before you apply for the new account. That gives the first payment time to go out, so the direct debit meets even the strictest reading of "active". If your offer has a deadline, count back from it and leave yourself some slack.
Remember that CASS itself takes 7 working days, and some banks check your eligibility up to 60 days after that. Don't cancel any direct debits until the bonus is in your account.
Common mistakes
- Putting the direct debit on the new account: For HSBC, first direct, Lloyds and Nationwide, the direct debits need to move with the switch, so they belong on the old account.
- Switching too soon: A mandate that hasn't collected yet is the riskiest kind. Some banks count it and some don't.
- Using standing orders: These only count for first direct at the moment.
- Cancelling early: If the bank checks after you've cancelled, you'll be short.
- Not reading the payee rules: Santander only counts household bills, so cheap direct debits won't help there.
Cancelling afterwards
Once your bonus has been paid, you can cancel any direct debits you no longer need from your new bank's app, under "Direct Debits". Cancelling through your bank stops the mandate straight away, and the Direct Debit Guarantee protects you if a payment is ever taken in error.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up a direct debit for a bank switch?
You need an organisation that collects by direct debit to set one up with you, on the account you're switching from. You can move an existing bill, set up a charity donation, or use a service like Easy Debit, which sets up a £1 direct debit in under 60 seconds. Let the first payment go out before you start the switch.
Can I set up a direct debit myself in my banking app?
No. A direct debit is collected by the payee, so it has to be set up with them. You can set up a standing order yourself, but most switching offers don't accept standing orders. first direct is currently the exception.
How many direct debits do I need to switch bank?
Usually two. Lloyds currently needs three, and NatWest and RBS don't ask for any. Check the current terms for the offer you want.
How long before switching should I set up a direct debit?
About a week, so the first payment has time to leave your account before you apply. New direct debits run on the Bacs system and take a few working days to collect.
Should the direct debit be on my old account or my new one?
For most offers, including HSBC, first direct, Lloyds and Nationwide, the old account, so it moves across with the switch. Santander is the exception: it checks for household direct debits on the new account within 60 days.
When can I cancel the direct debit?
Once the switching bonus has been paid into your account. You can cancel from your banking app.
More bank switching guides
Last checked 26 September 2026. Switching offers change or close without notice. Always read the bank's own terms before you apply. Easy Debit is not affiliated with any bank and this guide is not financial advice.