Free money UK: every legit way to get paid for signing up (September 2026)
5 min read · Updated · By the HelloBonus team
The short answer
The biggest legit free money in the UK right now is bank switching: Santander pays £240 and switching to one bank per group adds up to £1,035. On top of that, referral sign-up bonuses pay up to £50 (Monzo, £10 for most people) and £10 (TopCashback), plus free e-bike rides and a free GAIL's drink. Every offer here was verified against the provider's own terms by HelloBonus, and none costs you anything to claim.
Where is the biggest free money in the UK?
Bank switching, by a distance. Banks pay you to move your current account to them with the Current Account Switch Service: Santander £240, HSBC £220, first direct £210, Lloyds £200, NatWest £200, Nationwide £175. Each bank pays once per person, so switching in turn to one bank per banking group adds up to £1,035 from today's offers. The full conditions, deadlines and fees for each are in our bank switching offers guide.
Which apps pay you for signing up?
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| Brand | Your reward | What you do | Time limit | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monzo | £10 for most people, £20 or £50 for a lucky few | Open an account, add any amount, make one card payment | 30 days from entering your phone number on the invite page | |
| TopCashback | £10 sign-up bonus, paid by bank transfer | Join through our link, confirm your account, then earn £10 of cashback at eligible shops | 180 days from joining to reach £10 of approved cashback | |
| Forest | 30 minutes of free riding time | Type the code at sign-up, then take your first ride | Referral minutes are valid for 7 days | |
| Lime | £4 ride credit, shown as a coupon in the app | Create a new account through our link, then take a ride | Coupons expire 60 days after you get them | |
| Voi | Free ride credit, added when you sign up (£2.50 in Voi's UK guide) | Sign up through the link and add your own payment method | None stated. Voi can change or cancel unused credit at any time | |
| GAIL's | A free barista-made drink or loaf of your choice | Type the code when you sign up, then buy something in a bakery | Use the voucher within two months |
Monzo pays up to £50 for opening a free current account and making one card payment within 30 days (Monzo's own odds: £10 for 94 people in 100, £20 for 5, £50 for 1). TopCashback adds £10 on top of your first £10 of cashback. The rest pay in kind: free e-bike minutes, ride credit and a free drink or loaf.
What's the catch?
- New customers only. Almost every bonus is for people who have never had an account with that brand, even a closed one.
- You must do something small: make one card payment, earn £10 of cashback, take a ride, or (for bank switches) pay in a set amount and move your Direct Debits.
- Deadlines are strict: 30 days for Monzo, 180 days for TopCashback, 28 to 60 days for bank switches.
- Order matters. Many app bonuses only count if you open the invite link before you download the app, and typed codes can't be added after sign-up.
- It never costs you anything. The brand pays the bonus because a recommendation or a switch brings it a new customer.
How do you claim it without losing it?
- Pick the offers you're eligible for (new customer, right age, UK resident).
- Open the HelloBonus page for each one and follow the steps in order: link first, then app.
- Set a reminder for the deadline, and do the qualifying action early.
- For bank switches, do one at a time: switch in, collect the bonus, then switch that account onwards.
Codes we've checked
Questions people ask
How can I get free money in the UK right now?
Switch your bank account (Santander pays £240; up to £1,035 across one bank per group) and use sign-up bonuses such as Monzo (up to £50) and TopCashback (£10). Every offer on HelloBonus is verified against the provider's own terms.
Which apps give you money for signing up in the UK?
Monzo pays up to £50 (£10 for most people) for opening a current account and making one card payment, and TopCashback pays a £10 bonus once you've earned £10 of cashback. Forest, Lime and Voi give free rides, and GAIL's gives a free drink or loaf.
Is free sign-up money a scam?
Not when it comes from the brand itself. Bank switching bonuses are paid by the banks, and referral bonuses are paid by the brand under its published terms. HelloBonus links the terms for every offer. Never pay anyone to get a bonus.
Can you get more than one sign-up bonus?
Yes, one per brand. You can claim Monzo, TopCashback and a bank switch at the same time, because they're different companies. Banks in the same group usually pay only one switching bonus between them.
Want to know how we verify every bonus? Read our checking process.