Best Cash ISA Rates UK 2026
A Cash ISA is the easiest way to keep HMRC out of your savings. The best easy-access ISAs now pay over 5% AER — and unlike a regular savings account, every penny of interest is yours to keep.
What you get
- Up to £20,000 a year, tax-free for life
- Compare easy-access, fixed and notice Cash ISAs
- Filter by minimum deposit and transfer-in support
- FSCS-protected up to £85,000 per banking licence
- From April 2024: open multiple ISAs of the same type
How to choose
Use the full allowance
If you can max it, your future self will thank you. £20,000 compounded at 5% for 10 years is £32,577 — entirely tax-free.
Easy-access vs fixed
Fixed ISAs usually pay 0.2–0.4% more than easy-access. Split your allowance — half easy-access for flexibility, half fixed for the higher rate.
Always transfer, never withdraw
To move a Cash ISA to a better-paying provider, request a transfer in. Withdrawing and re-depositing wastes the allowance.
Watch for flexible ISAs
A flexible ISA lets you withdraw and replace cash in the same tax year without using more allowance — useful if you might need the money back.
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What to compare
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| AER | 4.8–5.2% on best easy-access; 4.5%+ on 1-yr fixed |
| Type | Easy-access, notice, 1–5 yr fixed, lifetime ISA |
| Minimum deposit | £1 to £1,000 |
| Transfers in | Critical if moving an existing ISA |
| Flexible | Withdraw & replace without losing allowance |
| FSCS licence | Check you're not doubling up on a brand |
FAQs
- What's the 2026/27 ISA allowance?
- £20,000 per tax year (6 April–5 April), unchanged. You can split it between Cash, Stocks & Shares, Lifetime and Innovative Finance ISAs.
- Can I open more than one Cash ISA?
- Yes — from April 2024 you can open multiple Cash ISAs in the same tax year, provided your total contributions stay under £20,000.
- What happens if I withdraw from a fixed ISA?
- Most charge 90–365 days' interest as a penalty. Plan carefully — only fix money you genuinely won't need.
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