Check your eligibility for cards offering up to 36 months' 0% interest (representative 24.9% APR1)
Cut the cost of expensive debt
A 0% balance transfer card could help save interest and clear debt faster
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1 Representative example: Assumed borrowing of £1,200 for 1 year at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable), representative 24.9% (variable). Correct as of September 2026.
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A balance transfer credit card lets you move existing credit card debt to a new card, usually with a 0% interest rate for a set time.
This can help you save on interest and repay your debt faster.
Bear in mind...
Miss any minimum monthly payments and you could lose the 0% deal plus face extra fees and a hit to your credit score.
Head to our guide for a more in-depth breakdown of how a balance transfer credit card works.
Here are some of the 0% balance transfer credit cards with the longest interest-free periods from our panel of providers.
Most are for new customers only and you can’t normally make a transfer between two cards from the same banking group. Depending on your credit history, you might not get the full 0% period advertised. Always check your eligibility and the T&Cs before applying.
36 months
3.09% (min. £5)
Transfers must be made in the first 60 days to get offer
0% on purchases for 3 months from account opening date
To qualify, you must not have an existing HSBC Basic Bank Account, credit subject to status, T&Cs apply
Representative 25.9% APR** – Assumed borrowing of £1,200 for 1 year at a purchase rate of 25.9% (variable), representative 25.9% APR (variable)
36 months
3.1%
Transfers must be made in first 90 days to get offer; no transfers from NatWest Group credit cards
Also 0% on purchases for 3 months from account opening date
Credit subject to status, T&Cs apply
Representative 24.9% APR** – assumed borrowing of £1,200 for 1 year at a purchase rate of 24.94% (variable), representative 24.9% APR (variable)
36 months
3.1%
Transfers must be made in first 60 days to get offer; no transfers from Nationwide or Virgin Money credit cards
Also 0% on purchases for 3 months from account opening date
New customers only, credit subject to status, T&Cs apply
Representative 24.9% APR** – assumed borrowing of £1,200 for 1 year at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable), representative 24.9% APR (variable)
Compare the Market Limited acts as a credit broker, not a lender. To apply you must be a UK resident and aged 18 or over. Any 0% interest applies as long as you make at least minimum monthly repayments. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.
**Representative APR: the estimated cost of borrowing – calculated as an annual percentage rate – after the 0% period ends.
We offer lots of different credit cards via our panel of lenders, so when deciding which ones to feature on this page we prioritise:
Longest 0% balance transfer period
Standout offers, such as cashback or vouchers
Lowest balance transfer fee (if applicable)
Lowest representative APR
Longest 0% purchase period (if applicable)
Other terms and conditions
How long the 0% period lasts
The fee you’re charged to transfer your balance
How long you have to move your balance to get the 0% rate
The standard interest rate you’ll be moved onto once the 0% period ends
Any monthly or annual fees
Some providers will require you to have a good credit score.
Check these three things before you apply, so there are no surprises later.
Most cards charge a one-off fee of around 2-4% of the amount you move across, and this is added to your new card balance. The fee applies to each balance you move, so moving from several cards adds up. Some cards charge no fee, but they usually have a shorter 0% period.
Worked example: moving £3,000 (illustrative figures)
Example | Amount moved (fee) | Fee added to balance | Balance to repay |
|---|---|---|---|
One card, 3% fee | £3,000 (3%) | £90 | £3,090 |
Two cards, 3% fee | £2,000 + £1,000 (3%) | £60 + £30 = £90 | £3,090 |
One card, 4% fee | £3,000 (4%) | £120 | £3,120 |
To clear £3,090 over a 24-month 0% period, you’d need to pay £128.75 a month (£3,090/24). Always pay at least your minimum payment. The above numbers are examples only and fees and 0% periods vary by card.
Providers set the deadline, and it’s often 60 or 90 days from opening your account. Check the card’s details before you apply. If you miss it, the 0% rate may not apply to your transfer, so you could pay the standard rate on that balance. You can ask your new provider to start the transfer as soon as your card is approved.
Any balance you still owe starts building interest at the provider’s standard rate. This is often much higher than 0%, so it can get expensive quickly. Check the standard rate in the card’s terms, and the representative APR shown on each card. You’ve got a few options:
Clear the balance before the 0% period ends.
Move what’s left to another 0% card. You might pay another fee, and acceptance isn’t guaranteed.
If you’re struggling, get free debt advice from MoneyHelper.
There are a few types of balance transfer cards to choose from. The right one for you depends on how much debt you have and how quickly you can pay it off.
These cards offer 0% interest for an extended period, sometimes two or even three years
You’ll usually pay a one-off transfer fee, typically 2-4% of the balance you move across
They’re useful if you need more time to clear your balance without paying interest.
Some cards don’t charge a fee to transfer your balance
These tend to offer shorter 0% periods compared to cards with a fee
They could be good if you think you can pay off your debt quickly.
A combined 0% balance transfer and purchase credit card offers zero interest on both balance transfers and new spending
The balance transfers 0% period is often different from the purchases 0% period so check this before applying
Always pay at least the minimum – missing a payment could end your 0% deal and lead to fees and higher interest
Use the card for balance transfers only – spending or withdrawing cash can trigger interest and extra charges, even during a 0% period
Clear the balance before your 0% period ends – pay it off or transfer it again to avoid a jump in interest.
Use our credit card repayment calculator to see how quickly you could pay off your credit card debt and save on interest.
Quick tip
If you can, set up a direct debit for more than the minimum monthly repayment, as this will help clear your debt quicker.
Save on interest
0% deals let you avoid interest for a set period, helping reduce the cost of your debt
Pay off debt faster
With no interest, more of your monthly payment goes towards clearing your balance
A transfer fee can cost less than interest
Balance transfer fees (rarely more than 4%) are often cheaper than ongoing interest on your old card
Simplified repayments
Consolidating multiple balances into one card can make budgeting easier
Balance transfer fees
You may have to pay a transfer fee (though it’s often still less than the interest you’d have paid on your old card)
No 0% on spending
Unless you’ve bagged a combo card that offers 0% on purchases as well, new spending may rack up interest if you don’t clear it in the same month
Interest kicks in after the offer ends
If you haven’t cleared the balance in time, your lender’s standard rate will apply and this can soon get costly
Temptation to overspend
Moving your existing balance to a 0% card isn’t a free pass to rack up more debt on your old card
Your eligibility for a 0% balance transfer credit card depends on your financial status and credit history.
To check if you’re eligible for a balance transfer credit card without having an impact on your credit score, use our credit card eligibility checker.
You’ll just need to give us a few details, including:
Your name, age, marital status, number of dependants and address
What type of credit card you want
Your annual income
The date you moved to your current address.
Compare the Market Limited acts as a credit broker, not a lender. To apply you must be a UK resident and aged 18 or over. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.
Most balance transfer credit cards are designed for people with a good credit score. So, if you’ve got a history of bad credit, your options may be more limited.
Some providers may still offer you a card if you’ve had credit problems in the past. But you’ll generally find that:
They’ll offer shorter 0% deals than the best balance transfer cards
Once the 0% period ends, the interest rate for these types of cards is typically much higher
You might not be offered a big enough credit limit to transfer your full balance.
If you don’t get a high enough credit limit, think about transferring just part of your debt – ideally an amount you can clear during the 0% period.
You’ll still need to make payments on your original card, but for the new smaller balance.
If you’re worried about debt, you can get free, confidential advice and support through the MoneyHelper website.
If you don’t get approved for a balance transfer card, there are a few options you could try:
Talk to your current credit card provider – if you’ve been a reliable customer, the lender might agree to lower your interest rate.
Move debt between your existing cards – if you have other credit cards, you could shift debts from the highest interest cards to the lower-rate card (if it accepts balance transfers). You might be charged a one-off transfer fee for doing this.
Look into a debt consolidation loan – this would let you combine your existing credit card debts into one new monthly payment with a fixed interest rate. These loans can have a lower interest rate than credit cards, but you may be paying interest for longer, meaning a higher overall cost.
See how these cards could help you manage existing debt without incurring interest
Most balance transfer cards let you move over an amount close to your full credit limit - for example 95%. But exactly how much you can transfer depends on:
The provider’s rules and limits
Your credit score and balance.
That’s why it’s a good idea to shop around for a balance transfer credit card that suits your needs.
Yes, you can move balances from several cards onto one balance transfer card. The total depends on the transfer limit you’re offered.
You can’t normally move debt from cards that belong to the same provider or banking group as your new card.
If the balance transfer limit you’re offered isn’t high enough, you have two options:
1. Transfer what you can
Move part of the balance to your new card and leave the rest on your old card. You’ll pay at least the minimum on both cards each month. If you can afford to pay more, it makes sense to prioritise clearing the balance on the old card, as this is the one that’s still accruing interest.
2. Apply for another balance transfer card
You could apply for another card from a different provider to see if you can get a higher limit.
But applying for several cards over a short period can lead to multiple hard credit checks. This may lower your credit score and make it harder to be accepted for credit. Some providers show you your likely credit limit before you apply.
Your credit limit is set by the provider and is based on your financial situation. The lender will look at things such as your:
Credit history
Income
Debt compared to your income
Repayment history.
Once your balance transfer credit card is active, you can find your credit limit by:
Logging into your online account or app
Calling your provider
Checking a statement.
Some lenders, for example Barclaycard, will let you transfer debt from a card in someone else’s name.
But keep in mind that:
The card can’t be from the same provider or banking group
The debt becomes yours and you’re legally responsible for paying it off.
If your lender won’t let you transfer your partner’s debt, you could consider a 0% money transfer card:
You transfer cash from the card directly into your bank account, often with a money transfer fee of 3% to 5%
You could then use the money to pay off your partner’s card.
If someone is putting pressure on you and trying to make you pay off their card, this could be a sign of financial abuse. Make sure you know the signs and where to get help.
Moving a balance itself won’t affect your credit score. But applying for the new card usually involves a hard credit check, which may cause a small, temporary drop in your score. It should recover over the following months if you make your payments on time.
The length of the interest-free period on a 0% balance transfer credit card depends on the offer you choose and market conditions at the time.
A balance transfer lets you move a credit card balance onto another card from a different provider.
A money transfer lets you transfer money from a credit card directly into your current account.
Charlie is a senior commercial leader with almost a decade's experience across the UK’s leading personal-finance and comparison platforms. Before joining Compare the Market as Head of Commercial in 2024, he held senior commercial roles at TotallyMoney and MoneySuperMarket Group.
2 Correct as of September 2026.
What our expert says...
“Given that the standout balance transfer deals offer 0% periods of more than two years, you could use one of these cards to escape typical 20%-30% interest rates for that period.
“This means your payments almost exclusively pay down the debt (assuming you don't spend on the card) rather than covering what can be expensive interest. I say 'almost exclusively' as some cards charge a fee, so early payments go to pay that off first.
“To get the most out of a balance transfer card, it's wise not to spend on it. You should always pay at least the monthly minimum payment and plan to pay off the debt before the 0% ends to avoid interest."