Best Regular Savings Accounts UK 2026 Up to 8% AER
Regular savings accounts pay the highest rates on the market — up to 8% AER with Nationwide. We compare every top provider, show you exactly what you'll earn with our calculator, and tell you which account to open based on your situation.
Best Regular Savings Accounts UK 2026 — Up to 8% AER
Regular savings accounts pay the highest rates on the market right now — up to 8% AER with Nationwide. But there are catches: monthly deposit limits, linked account requirements, and terms that need reading carefully. We've done it all so you don't have to.
Quick verdict: Best rate overall: Nationwide — 8% AER (existing customers). Best open-to-all: Principality BS — 7.5% for 6 months. Best fixed rate with no withdrawal risk: First Direct — 7% fixed for 12 months. No account with any of these banks? Start with Principality or Zopa — no switch required.
Top rate (market)
8%
Nationwide AER (variable)
Best open-to-all
7.5%
Principality BS (6 months)
Best fixed rate
7%
First Direct (12 months)
Typical monthly limit
£300
£150–£300 across providers
Max interest (£300/mo, 7%)
£136
Over 12 months
FSCS protection
£85k
Per institution
Best regular savings accounts at a glance — March 2026
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Best overall rate
Nationwide Flex Regular Saver
8% AER (variable) · £200/mo · Existing customers
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Best open-to-all
Principality Building Society
7.5% AER (fixed) · £200/mo · 6-month term · No linked A/C
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Best fixed rate (12 months)
First Direct Regular Saver
7% AER (fixed) · £300/mo · First Direct account required
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Most flexible
Zopa Regular Saver
7.1% AER (variable) · £300/mo · No mandatory deposit
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Best rolling saver
NatWest Regular Saver
5.25% AER (variable) · £150/mo · Auto-renews annually
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Best for Co-op customers
Co-op Bank Regular Saver
7% AER (variable) · £250/mo · Co-op account required
Regular savings accounts pay significantly higher rates than easy-access accounts — but require you to deposit a fixed amount each month and come with restrictions on withdrawals. The trade-off is worth it for disciplined monthly savers, particularly if you already hold a current account with one of the top providers.
Monthly savings calculator — see exactly what you'll earn
Regular savers are often misunderstood. Because you're depositing money monthly rather than as a lump sum, your effective return is roughly half the headline rate. Use this calculator to see your actual interest earnings.
Regular Savings Calculator
Monthly deposit £200
Interest rate (AER) 7.0%
Account term
£2,400
Total deposited
£70
Interest earned
£2,470
Final balance
* Interest calculated on the monthly running balance (drip-feed method) — not on the final total. This is why your effective return is roughly half the headline AER. A 7% regular saver earning £70 on £2,400 deposited = an effective return of ~2.9% — still well above a 4.75% easy-access account on the same monthly savings amount.
Quick comparison: top regular savings accounts UK 2026
Rates correct as of 27 March 2026. Verify at the provider's website before applying — regular saver rates change frequently.
| Provider | Rate (AER) | Max per month | Term | Linked A/C? | Withdrawals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | 8.00% (variable) | £200 | 12 months | Yes — any Nationwide | Up to 3 allowed |
| Principality BS | 7.50% (fixed) | £200 | 6 months | No — open to all | Not permitted |
| Zopa | 7.10% (variable) | £300 | 6 months | Yes — Zopa current A/C | Permitted freely |
| First Direct | 7.00% (fixed) | £300 | 12 months | Yes — First Direct 1st A/C | Not permitted |
| Co-op Bank | 7.00% (variable) | £250 | 12 months | Yes — Co-op current A/C | Limited |
| Skipton BS | 7.00% (fixed) | £250 | 12 months | Yes — pre-Jan 2024 member | Not permitted |
| NatWest | 5.25% (variable) | £150 | Rolling 12m | Yes — NatWest current A/C | Limited |
Fact-check reminder: All rates above were verified in late March 2026. Regular saver rates are among the most frequently changed in the savings market. Always confirm the current rate on the provider's website or moneyfactscompare.co.uk before applying.
Best regular savings accounts reviewed
Nationwide Flex Regular Saver
Easy access to 3 withdrawals · Variable rate · Issue 7
8.00% AER
Variable · Market-leading rate
| Rate | 8.00% AER (variable) |
| Max monthly deposit | £200 |
| Account term | 12 months, then transfers to instant access |
| Linked account required | Yes — any Nationwide current account |
| Withdrawals | Up to 3 penalty-free. 4+ withdrawals drop rate to 2.15% |
| Missed payment penalty | No penalty — but you cannot make it up later |
| Interest payment | Annually, on account anniversary |
| Max interest over 12 months | ~£104 at £200/month |
| FSCS protected | Yes — up to £120,000 (includes Virgin Money accounts post-merger) |
Pros
- Highest regular saver rate on the market (March 2026)
- Up to 3 withdrawals without losing your rate
- No penalty for missing a monthly payment
- Nationwide's Fairer Share payment may add extra value
Cons
- Rate is variable — could fall at any time
- Must already hold a Nationwide current account
- Monthly limit capped at £200 — lower than some rivals
- Note: combined FSCS limit with Virgin Money post-merger April 2026
Our verdict
If you're already a Nationwide customer, this is a straightforward yes — open it today. The 8% rate is comfortably the highest on the market and the 3-withdrawal allowance gives you a safety valve most regular savers lack. The £200 monthly limit is the only genuine constraint. Watch for the rate: being variable, it could be cut if Nationwide chooses to reduce it, so review at the 12-month rollover.
Principality Building Society Regular Saver
Open to all · Fixed rate · 6-month term
7.50% AER
Fixed · Best open-to-all rate
| Rate | 7.50% AER (fixed) |
| Max monthly deposit | £200 |
| Account term | 6 months (interest paid at end of term) |
| Linked account required | No — open to all UK residents |
| Withdrawals | Not permitted during the 6-month term |
| Missed payment penalty | Contact provider — terms may vary |
| Interest payment | On maturity (6 months) |
| Max interest over 6 months | ~£35 at £200/month (6-month drip-feed) |
| FSCS protected | Yes — up to £85,000 |
Pros
- No linked account needed — open to any UK resident
- Fixed rate means certainty for the full 6 months
- Highest open-to-all rate available right now
- Can run two back-to-back 6-month accounts per year
Cons
- 6-month term halves effective interest vs a 12-month account
- No withdrawals permitted during the term
- Needs active management — must reopen at maturity
- Branch/post access only — may not suit online-only savers
Our verdict
The best choice for anyone who doesn't hold a current account with one of the high-street banks offering higher rates. The 6-month term is the catch — your effective interest is lower than a 12-month account at the same rate. But the rate certainty and zero linked-account friction make it the most accessible top-rate option on the market. Savvy savers can stack two consecutive 6-month terms to maximise the year.
First Direct Regular Saver
Fixed rate · 12 months · No withdrawals
7.00% AER
Fixed · 12-month certainty
| Rate | 7.00% AER (fixed for 12 months) |
| Max monthly deposit | £300 |
| Account term | 12 months |
| Linked account required | Yes — First Direct 1st Account |
| Withdrawals | Not permitted — closing early forfeits interest |
| Missed payment penalty | Must pay in every month — missing closes the account |
| Interest payment | On maturity (12 months) |
| Max interest over 12 months | ~£136 at £300/month |
| FSCS protected | Yes — up to £85,000 (same licence as HSBC) |
Switch bonus: First Direct currently offers new switching customers a cash bonus for moving their main current account via CASS. Verify the current offer on their website — this materially increases the overall return in year one.
Pros
- Fixed rate — guaranteed 7% for the full 12 months
- Higher £300/month limit vs Nationwide's £200
- First Direct regularly rated UK's top bank for customer service
- Potential current account switch bonus on top
Cons
- Zero withdrawals — money is locked for 12 months
- Must pay in every single month — no skipping
- Requires opening a First Direct 1st Account
- Same FSCS licence as HSBC — check combined deposits if you hold both
Our verdict
The best regular saver for anyone who values certainty. The 7% fixed rate is locked in regardless of what happens to base rates over the next 12 months. The £300 monthly limit means maximum interest of around £136 over the year — the highest total return of any 12-month account. The no-withdrawal restriction is the only real risk: do not open this unless you're confident you won't need the money.
Zopa Regular Saver
Most flexible · Variable rate · 6-month term · No mandatory deposit
7.10% AER
Variable · Most flexible option
| Rate | 7.10% AER (variable) |
| Max monthly deposit | £300 |
| Account term | 6 months |
| Linked account required | Yes — Zopa 'Biscuit' current account |
| Withdrawals | Permitted — no restriction |
| Missed payment penalty | No mandatory deposit required |
| Interest payment | On maturity (6 months) |
| Max interest over 6 months | ~£37 at £300/month |
| FSCS protected | Yes — up to £85,000 |
Pros
- Withdrawals freely permitted — most flexible regular saver available
- No mandatory monthly deposit — skip months without penalty
- Highest rate of any account with free withdrawal access
- £300/month maximum is among the highest available
Cons
- Rate is variable — could be reduced by Zopa at any point
- Requires a Zopa 'Biscuit' current account (newer, less established bank)
- 6-month term — lower total interest vs a 12-month account
- Zopa is a newer challenger bank — less brand familiarity
Our verdict
Unique in the regular saver market: you can withdraw whenever you like and skip months entirely. For savers who want the higher rate but can't commit to a rigid monthly deposit — perhaps because income is irregular — Zopa is the standout choice. The trade-off is a variable rate and a challenger bank relationship. Worth it for the flexibility, provided you're comfortable with Zopa's track record.
Co-op Bank Regular Saver
Variable rate · 12 months · Co-op customers
7.00% AER
Variable · 12-month term
| Rate | 7.00% AER (variable) |
| Max monthly deposit | £250 |
| Account term | 12 months |
| Linked account required | Yes — Co-op Bank current account |
| Withdrawals | Limited — check current terms |
| Interest payment | Annually |
| Max interest over 12 months | ~£114 at £250/month |
| FSCS protected | Yes — up to £85,000 |
Our verdict
A solid 7% variable for existing Co-op customers. If you're already banking there, open it without hesitation. For anyone not already a Co-op customer, First Direct and Nationwide offer better terms for the switch effort involved. One caveat: the variable rate means Co-op can reduce it if the base rate falls — watch for any communication about rate changes.
NatWest Regular Saver
Rolling annual term · Auto-renews · Lower rate but zero admin
5.25% AER
Variable · Rolls annually
| Rate | 5.25% AER (variable) |
| Max monthly deposit | £150 |
| Account term | Rolling 12 months — does not expire and auto-restart |
| Linked account required | Yes — NatWest current account |
| Withdrawals | Limited — check current terms |
| Interest payment | Annually |
| Max interest over 12 months | ~£44 at £150/month |
| FSCS protected | Yes — up to £85,000 |
Our verdict
NatWest's lower rate and £150 monthly cap make it a third-tier option for rate chasers — but it earns a mention for one reason: it auto-renews. Unlike every other account on this list, you don't have to remember to reopen it each year. For existing NatWest customers who want a set-and-forget arrangement without switching banks, it's quietly useful. Just accept you're leaving roughly £92 of annual interest on the table vs First Direct.
Do I need a linked current account?
Most of the best-rate regular savers are gated behind existing current accounts. Here's the full picture — including where switching to open the account also earns you a switching bonus.
The switching bonus trick: Opening a First Direct account to access their 7% regular saver also earns you a cash switching bonus (verify current offer). The bonus alone can add the equivalent of an extra 1–2% on top of the interest rate in year one — making the effective return significantly higher than 7%.
| Provider | Rate | Linked A/C required | Switch bonus available? | Open to all? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | 8.00% | Any Nationwide current account | Occasionally — check site | No |
| First Direct | 7.00% | First Direct 1st Account | Yes — currently active (verify amount) | No |
| Co-op Bank | 7.00% | Co-op current account | Check provider | No |
| Zopa | 7.10% | Zopa 'Biscuit' current account | Check provider | No |
| NatWest | 5.25% | NatWest current account | Yes — switch bonus available | No |
| Principality BS | 7.50% | None required | N/A | Yes ✓ |
| Skipton BS | 7.00% | Skipton member before Jan 2024 | N/A | No (existing members) |
Regular saver vs easy access savings account — which is better?
The two account types are not rivals — they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference is the key to building a savings strategy that maximises returns across your full pot.
| Feature | Regular Saver | Easy Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | Up to 8% AER | Up to 4.75% AER |
| Deposit flexibility | Fixed monthly amount required | Any amount, any time |
| Access to money | Restricted (varies by account) | Instant, no penalty |
| Best for | New monthly savings from income | Emergency funds & lump sums |
| Lump sum | Poor — drip-feed only | Excellent — full balance earns immediately |
| Effective return* | ~3.5–4% on monthly savings | Full rate from day one |
| Rate certainty | Fixed or variable — depends | Almost always variable |
| Term | Usually 6–12 months | No end date — ongoing |
| Ideal user | Disciplined monthly paycheque saver | Anyone with an existing lump sum |
The effective rate explained: At 7% AER with £300/month deposits over 12 months, you earn approximately £136 in interest. That £136 on £3,600 total deposited is a 3.8% return — still better than the top easy-access rate of 4.75% applied to the same monthly savings, but not the 7% that the headline suggests. The advantage is real but smaller than it looks.
Use both together. The ideal strategy: put your emergency fund (3–6 months expenses) in a top-rate easy-access account where it earns the full rate on the full balance. Put your new monthly savings — the money arriving from your paycheque each month — into the best regular saver you can access. They complement each other perfectly.
How much can I actually earn from a regular saver?
The most common source of confusion with regular savers is the headline rate versus actual return. Here's a worked example that makes it concrete:
Scenario: First Direct Regular Saver at 7% AER fixed. You deposit £300 on the 1st of every month for 12 months.
| Month | Amount in account | Monthly interest earned |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | £300 | £1.75 |
| Month 3 | £900 | £5.25 |
| Month 6 | £1,800 | £10.50 |
| Month 9 | £2,700 | £15.75 |
| Month 12 | £3,600 | £21.00 |
| Total at maturity | £3,600 deposited | ~£136 interest |
The effective return on the £3,600 total deposited is 3.8% — not 7%. But compared to putting that same £300/month into a top easy-access account at 4.75%, you'd earn approximately £86 in interest. The regular saver earns you an extra £50 over the year for the same monthly savings — the discipline premium.
Regular savers and tax: what you need to know
Interest from regular savings accounts counts toward your Personal Savings Allowance (PSA):
- Basic-rate taxpayer (20%) — £1,000 PSA per year
- Higher-rate taxpayer (40%) — £500 PSA per year
- Additional-rate taxpayer (45%) — £0 PSA — all interest is taxable
At 7% with a £300/month limit, the maximum interest from a single regular saver is around £136 per year. Even a higher-rate taxpayer with a £500 PSA would need to hold four simultaneous full-limit regular savers before approaching the allowance boundary. For most people, tax is not a concern at these deposit levels.
If you're a higher-rate or additional-rate taxpayer with significant savings across multiple accounts, consider whether some of your savings would be better sheltered in a Cash ISA. Use our UK income tax calculator to understand your bracket.
Which regular savings account should I open?
Kaeltripton verdict — March 2026
Already a Nationwide customer? Open the Flex Regular Saver immediately. 8% with 3 permitted withdrawals is the best deal on the market by a clear margin. Takes 5 minutes in the app.
Want a fixed rate and certainty? First Direct at 7% fixed for 12 months. You'll need to open their current account, but it's a great bank regardless and the switch bonus offsets any admin. Non-negotiable: you cannot make withdrawals, so only commit money you won't need.
Don't want to switch banks? Principality Building Society at 7.5% is open to all UK residents with no linked account required. The 6-month term means lower total interest — but it's the cleanest entry point on the market with zero friction.
Need maximum flexibility? Zopa at 7.1% allows free withdrawals and no mandatory monthly deposit. Best for variable-income savers or those who aren't sure they can commit to a rigid plan.
Want a fixed rate and certainty? First Direct at 7% fixed for 12 months. You'll need to open their current account, but it's a great bank regardless and the switch bonus offsets any admin. Non-negotiable: you cannot make withdrawals, so only commit money you won't need.
Don't want to switch banks? Principality Building Society at 7.5% is open to all UK residents with no linked account required. The 6-month term means lower total interest — but it's the cleanest entry point on the market with zero friction.
Need maximum flexibility? Zopa at 7.1% allows free withdrawals and no mandatory monthly deposit. Best for variable-income savers or those who aren't sure they can commit to a rigid plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best regular savings account in the UK right now?
The Nationwide Flex Regular Saver pays 8% AER — the highest rate on the market in March 2026 — for existing Nationwide customers. The best open-to-all option is Principality Building Society at 7.5% AER for 6 months, with no linked current account required. Zopa pays 7.1% with no mandatory monthly deposit, making it the most flexible alternative.
Do I need a current account to open a regular savings account?
Most high-rate regular savers require a linked current account with the same provider. Nationwide, First Direct, Co-op Bank, NatWest and Zopa all gate access this way. However, Principality Building Society offers 7.5% AER with no linked account required — the best open-to-all option currently available.
How much can I save in a regular savings account each month?
Monthly deposit limits vary by provider. Nationwide allows up to £200 per month. First Direct, Co-op Bank and Zopa allow up to £300 per month. Principality Building Society allows up to £200. NatWest allows up to £150 per month. These limits are per account — you can hold multiple regular savers simultaneously to save more in total.
Is a regular savings account better than an easy access savings account?
For new monthly savings from your income, regular savers offer higher headline rates (up to 8% vs around 4.75% for easy access) — and even accounting for the drip-feed effect, you earn more interest on monthly deposits. For existing lump sums, easy access accounts are better — the full balance earns the full rate from day one. Use both together for maximum returns.
What happens when my regular savings account ends after 12 months?
Most regular savers close automatically after the term ends and transfer your balance to a standard savings account at a much lower rate — often 1–2% AER. You must actively open a new regular saver to continue earning the higher rate. Set a calendar reminder for your account end date at least 2 weeks before to avoid losing out on interest.
Can I withdraw money from a regular savings account?
It depends entirely on the provider. First Direct and Principality BS allow no withdrawals during the term — attempting to close early typically forfeits interest accrued. Nationwide allows up to three withdrawals without penalty; a fourth drops the rate to 2.15%. Zopa allows completely free withdrawals at any time, which makes it the most flexible account on the market.
Are regular savings accounts covered by the FSCS?
Yes. All regular savings accounts at UK-authorised banks and building societies are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 per person per institution. Nationwide currently offers enhanced protection up to £120,000 per person due to the ongoing Virgin Money integration — check your total combined deposits with Nationwide after 2 April 2026.
