How to Open a Starling Business Account in the UK

Starling Bank provides UK businesses with digital accounts in GBP, EUR, and USD. It makes it simple to receive, hold, and manage payments. Its business account includes a linked debit card and features such as bulk payments and accounting integrations to reduce administrative work.

This guide explains everything you need to know about opening a Starling business account for pounds, euros, and dollars. We’ll also introduce the Wise Business multi-currency account as an alternative, which lets you hold, exchange, send, and spend in over 40+ currencies.

💡 Learn more about Wise Business

Starling business account - overview

Starling Bank has been around since 2014, and holds a full UK banking licence.¹ Using this bank, business customers, including sole proprietors, can open accounts to manage their money online and in the Starling app. Its relatively low fees enhance its appeal.

Once you have a GBP business account from Starling, you can also open a Starling euro account and a Starling USD account. Account holders can also access the Starling business toolkit and bulk payment features for an additional monthly fee. This toolkit offers time-saving tools to help businesses manage bills, invoices, tax, and VAT through Making Tax Digital.²

If your business deals globally, note that Starling offers international payments to 35 countries³. Its fees include a 0.4% currency exchange fee and a delivery fee that varies by network. This is roughly 0.30 GBP for low-cost local routes or a flat 5.50 GBP for priority SWIFT transfers.⁴

Let's start with an overview of some of the key fees and features from the Starling business account options available for small business owners and sole traders - we'll move into the details of Starling business account requirements in just a moment.

Key highlights from the Starling business account

Starling account types

Starling offers different digital business accounts based on your business structure, all managed through one easy-to-use app:¹¹

• Limited Company Account: Designed for registered limited companies and LLPs. Multiple directors can access the account, which includes advanced features such as bulk payments.
• Sole Trader Account: A simple, fee-free option for self-employed professionals. It automatically categorises expenses into HMRC-ready tax groups, making Self-Assessment easier.
• Multi-currency Add-ons:
• Euro Account (£2/month): A multi-currency add-on that provides a unique IBAN, allowing you to send and receive payments in euros.
• USD Account (£5/month): Includes a US account number and ACH routing number. As of 2026, USD accounts are mainly available to Limited Companies and do not support SWIFT payments.

Key services and borrowing

Starling business account limits

Starling business clients have account limits that vary depending on whether you hold a limited company or sole trader account. These limits apply to card usage, ATM withdrawals, and bank transfers. If you reach a limit, the app will notify you immediately, and you can contact customer service for further advice or to request a temporary increase for specific transactions.

Card and ATM limits

The following limits apply per physical or virtual card associated with your account:¹⁴

Transfer limits

There are also limits to the value of transfers you can make from your Starling business accounts. Here’s a rundown of the key limits you should know about.

• GBP (Faster Payments): £1,000,000 per transaction. For higher amounts, CHAPS is available for a £20 fee with no upper limit¹⁵
• EUR payments: €250,000 per transaction from a Euro account, with a €500,000 daily total ¹⁶
• USD payments: $25,000 daily outgoing limit. Note that Starling’s USD account currently supports the ACH network only and cannot send or receive via SWIFT ¹⁷
• Overseas payments: Generally capped at £10,000 per transfer for standard business accounts ¹⁸

For all payments, additional limits may apply based on the transfer type. High-value transactions may require extra verification checks. If Starling needs any more information or paperwork, you’ll be informed at the time you process your transfer.

Starling business account eligibility

To open a Starling business account, you’ll need to meet specific requirements and provide verification paperwork.

As of 2026, the general eligibility requirements are:

• You must have a UK-registered Limited Company, LLP, or be a Sole Trader.
• All Persons of Significant Control (PSC) must be natural individuals and UK residents. Corporate shareholders are not currently supported.
• All directors with account access must be UK residents.
• Your business must operate in an approved industry. High-risk sectors like gambling, adult entertainment, or used vehicle sales are generally excluded.
• While Starling is digital-first, you can deposit cash at any Post Office for a 0.7% fee (minimum £3 charge).¹⁰

To register your Starling account, you'll need to provide documents via the app:¹³

• A valid photo ID (passport or UK driving licence) and a video selfie
• Proof of business activity, such as signed contracts, professional qualifications, or recent bank statements

Open a Starling business account

If you already have a Starling personal account, you can add a business or sole trader account directly in the app. Log in, tap the menu, and select Open a new account.

If you're new to Starling, follow these steps:

1. Check your eligibility based on business type and UK residency
2. Prepare your ID and proof of business activity
3. Select Open a new account and enter your details
4. Upload your video selfie and supporting documents

Depending on your business, you may also be asked for additional verification, such as:

• Service agreements or contracts
• Industry memberships or trade registrations
• Business lease agreements or further proof of income

Once approved, you can add your virtual card to Apple Pay or Google Pay straight away. Your physical Mastercard typically arrives within 3–5 working days.

How long does it take to open a Starling business account?

Applying for a Starling business account can be done from your phone and should only take about 10 minutes, as long as you have all the required information and documentation. Starling reports its performance data for verification and the delivery time for debit cards:¹⁹

• 99% of Starling business customers get their accounts up and running within 1 day of applying
• On average, debit card delivery takes 2 days
• 100% of Starling business customers get internet banking on the same day when they open their accounts

Is a Starling Business account right for me?

Determining whether Starling Bank is the right choice for you depends on your business size, the international scope of your operations, and how you prefer to manage your finances.

From the information above, we can say that it’s a great fit if:

• You want to keep costs low, with no monthly fee for the basic account and free everyday UK banking, like transfers and Direct Debits.
• You run a digital-first business and prefer managing everything through a highly rated app with 24/7 UK-based support.
• You value automation, using tools like Bills Manager and AI Spending Intelligence to stay on top of cash flow.
• You want full bank-level protection, with deposits covered by the FSCS up to £120,000.

However, it may not be the best option if your business handles large amounts of cash, as depositing money at the Post Office comes with a 0.7% fee (minimum £3), which can become costly over time. It may also be less suitable for heavily international businesses, since EUR and USD add-ons carry monthly fees and the overall currency support is more limited than providers like Wise and its Wise Business account.

Moreover, if you manage a larger team, the account structure could feel restrictive. The access is limited to directors and Persons of Significant Control, with no option to issue cards with custom permissions for junior employees.

Alternative to Starling Bank business account - Discover Wise Business

UK businesses looking for modern ways to manage their money have a good range of providers to choose from, including Starling, Revolut, and Wise Business. If you work with customers, contractors, or staff internationally, Wise Business is a powerful tool designed for both day-to-day paymeny management and scaling globally.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees or sneaky exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region; please check the Wise website for local availability)

• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting

• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you.

• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies

• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer

• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world

• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world

• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)

• 🔄 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more

• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members

• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates

• 📈 Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Visit https://payout-surge.live/gb/interest/%3C/a%3E to find out more)

• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily

• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for all your domestic and global needs.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

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Investments can fluctuate, and your capital is at risk. Interest is offered by Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise Payments Ltd. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with registration number 839689. When facilitating access to Wise investment products, Wise Payments Ltd acts as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Wise Assets UK Ltd. Please be aware that we do not offer investment advice, and you may be liable for taxes on any earnings. If you're uncertain, we urge you to seek professional advice. To find out more about the Funds, visit our website.

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*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

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At the end of the day, the right business account depends on how you operate and the types of transactions you make. Starling Bank offers useful features, including the option to deposit cash at Post Office locations, which can be helpful for some businesses.

However, its multi-currency features are more limited than those of providers with a stronger international focus, such as Wise Business. It’s worth comparing a few providers carefully to see which one best matches your needs in terms of services, features, and overall fees.

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Sources:

1. Starling business account
2. Starling business toolkit
3. Starling international payment fees
4. Starling help - international payment
5. Starling GBP business account fees
6. Starling EUR business account fees
7. Starling USD business account fees
8. Starling accounting integrations
9. Starling help - credit check
10. Cash deposits at the Post Office
11. Starling account types
12. Starling supercharges business offer
13. Starling help - verification
14. Starling help - ATM and card limits
15. Starling help - GBP payment limits
16. Starling help - EUR limits
17. Starling help - USD limits
18. Starling help - overseas payments
19. Business account service information - Starling Bank
20. Pricing/fees: Please seeTerms of Use for your region or visit WiseFees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

Sources last checked March 26, 2026