The best 0% balance transfer credit cards

These 0% balance transfer credit cards offer some of the best deals on the market today

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Balance transfer credit cards can slash the costs of existing credit card debt. So using one can be a sensible financial decision that could save you hundreds of pounds in interest payments.  

While balances on credit cards have grown by 9.3% in the past year, lenders have dipped their average balance transfer offers by an average of 4.5 months according to TotallyMoney. Credit card holders are also facing higher fees compared to a year ago- 0.21% more.

For borrowers who are finding it hard to keep up with repayments, switching credit card balances onto a balance transfer credit card with a zero percent interest rate makes good sense.

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You could get as much as 29 months at 0% interest, though the actual deal you get will depend on your credit score.

The best balance transfer credit cards on the market

To avoid paying any interest, always make sure you make the minimum repayment each month and clear the debt within the interest-free period.

It’s also important that you only use the card to pay off the existing credit card debt – and not spend on the card – or you could face hefty interest charges. Not paying the minimum balance each month could also incur fines and damage your credit rating.

You will need a good credit score to get the top deal – all our links take you to the eligibility checker.

Here are some of the best 0% balance transfer cards on the market. This list is updated regularly.

0% interest balance transfer cards with the longest offer

Barclaycard Platinum Balance Transfer

  • Up to 29 months 0% interest
  • 3.45% transfer fee
  • To benefit from the balance transfer offer it needs to be taken out within 60 days of opening the account.
  • The minimum you can transfer is £250 across up to five balance transfers. The maximum transfer will be 90% of your credit limit. 
  • You can’t make a transfer from any other Barclaycard or partner cards.
  • After the 0% period, the interest rate jumps to 24.9% APR

This is a generous offer from Barclaycard, but you must be a new customer to be eligible and you're not guaranteed to get the headline rate, as this depends on your credit history. 

Check to see if you can get the Barclaycard deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Barclaycard.

HSBC Balance Transfer Card

  • Up to 27 months 0% interest if the transfer is made within the first 60 days
  • 3.49% fee (minimum £5)
  • No annual fee
  • 0% on purchases for the first three months
  • The interest rate jumps to 24.9% after the 0% offer period

You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.

Check to see if you can get the HSBC card via GoCompare's eligibility checker or apply directly to HSBC.

Santander Long Term Balance Transfer Credit Card

  • Up to 26 months 0% interest
  • 3% transfer fee (minimum £5)
  • No monthly fee
  • After the 0% period, a rate of 23.9% will apply
  • You must be a UK resident, aged 18+ and earning at least £10,500 per year and you must not already have an Everyday credit card

If accepted for this credit card, you can also benefit from 0% interest on purchases for 3 months – which starts once the account is opened. There is no monthly fee for the credit card.

Check to see if you can get the Santander card via GoCompare's eligibility checker or apply directly to Santander.

M&S Balance Transfer Plus offer credit card

  • Up to 26 months 0% interest if the transfer is made within the first 90 days
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee (minimum of £5)
  • No annual fee
  • After the 0% period, the interest rate jumps to 24.9% APR
  • You must be a UK resident, aged 18+
  • Get up to 55 days interest-free credit when you pay your balance in full and on time each month

As with most balance transfer cards, if you don't have a great credit score you could get less time to pay off your balance than the headline figure. 

You can also get 0% interest on purchases for three months and get M&S points whenever you use your card.

Check to see if you can get the M&S card via GoCompare's eligibility checker or apply directly to M&S.

Sainsbury’s 20 Month Balance Transfer Credit Card  

  • Up to 20 months 0% interest
  • 3% balance transfer fee (minimum £3)
  • 0% interest on purchases for 3 months
  • The interest rate jumps to 28.9% after the 0% offer period

You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances. Plus, with this credit card you can earn up to three Nectar Points per £2 when you spend in Sainsbury’s, Argos, Habitat & Tu clothing using your credit card.

Check to see if you can get the Sainsbury’s card via GoCompare's eligibility checker or apply directly to Sainsbury’s

0% interest balance transfer cards with no transfer fee

Santander All in One Credit Card

  • 15 months 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases
  • No fee to transfer
  • 0.5% cashback on all purchases (up to £10 a month)  
  • £3 monthly charge to hold the account
  • After the 0% period, the rate jumps to 29.8% APR

To be eligible for this credit card, you must have an income of at least £10,500 or more per year and you must be a UK resident aged 18 years or over. Your eligibility will be based on credit checks. 

You won’t be able to transfer any balances from other Santander or Cahoot credit cards, loans or current accounts. Check to see if you can get the Santander deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Santander.

Natwest Balance Transfer Credit Card

  • Up to 13 months 0% interest
  • Balance transfers must be made within 3 months of opening the account
  • No fee to transfer
  • After the 0% period, the rate changes to 24.9%

Once approved for this credit card, this is a good all-rounder with 13 months 0% on balance transfers, no transfer fee and up to three months 0% on purchases.

To apply, you must be a UK resident, aged 18+ and earn £10k+ each year. Check to see if you can get the Natwest deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Natwest.

Check to see if you can get the Natwest deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Natwest.

Santander Everyday No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card

  • Up to 12 months 0% interest
  • No fee to transfer a balance for the first 12 months
  • No monthly account fee
  • After the 0% period, the interest rate jumps to 23.9% APR

You might be offered less time to pay off the balance if your credit score isn’t perfect. There’s also an opportunity to use the card for purchases – it offers 0% interest on purchases for up to 3 months.

Check to see if you can get the deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Santander.

Barclaycard no fee Platinum Balance Transfer Credit Card

  • Up to 12 months 0% interest
  • No fee to transfer a balance for the first 12 months
  • No monthly account fee
  • After the 0% period, the interest rate jumps to 24.9% APR

The no-fee balance transfer period you get will depend on your credit score. This credit card also comes with 0% interest on purchases for up to three months. To benefit from the offer, you must transfer within 60 days of opening your account. 

Check to see if you can get the deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Barclaycard.

Drawbacks of balance transfer credit cards

These cards don’t charge any interest on balances during the offer period, but some do charge a fee to transfer the debt.

The card providers that charge fees generally offer a longer 0% period. On the other hand, providers that don’t have a transfer fee usually have a shorter interest-free period.

Any balance that’s left after the 0% balance transfer offer expires will be charged interest at the card provider's set rate. So, it’s important to pay any balance before the offer period expires.

Vaishali Varu

Vaishali graduated in journalism from Leeds University and she has experience working with the likes of Leicester Mercury, Inews and The Week. She also comes from a marketing background, where she has done copywriting and content creation for businesses. 

Currently writing about all things personal finance, Vaishali is passionate about finding the best deals around, whether it's the best credit cards or the cheapest personal loans, as well as sharing top money hacks to help people save and better manage their money. 

With contributions from