The best 0% balance transfer credit cards

It’s important to pay any balance before the 0% offer expires.

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last updated 15 November 2023

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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. But as interest rates rise, there is a chance that some deals may not hang around for long.

Bank of England data shows that quoted interest rates on credit cards reached an average of 21.66% over the summer. That means that for every £1,000 borrowed, an average cardholder will have to pay £216.66 in interest a year if the debt is not paid off (most credit cards don’t charge interest if you pay off the balance every month).

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, based on data provided by Defaqto.

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.

M&S Balance Transfer Plus offer credit card

Up to 28 months 0% interest if the transfer is made within the first 90 days
2.99% balance transfer fee (minimum of £5)
No annual fee
After the 0% period, the interest rate jumps to 23.9% APR
You must be a UK resident, aged 18+

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 shopping 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 GoCompar e 's eligibility checker or apply directly to M&S.

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
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 GoCompar e '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 GoCompar e 's eligibility checker or apply directly to Santander.

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 29.4% 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 Sainsbury’s card via GoCompar e '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
£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.

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 14 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 14 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. Your balance transfer must be at least £100. You can only transfer a balance up to 95% of your available credit limit. You can transfer your balance from most credit cards and store cards, except other NatWest Group cards.

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.

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 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.

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