Is Revolut safe in the UK?

Revolut is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an e-money institution. Unlike Monzo and Starling, Revolut's standard UK personal accounts are NOT currently covered by the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme). Revolut safeguards your money in ring-fenced accounts held separately from company funds — but this is not the same as FSCS protection. Revolut is working towards becoming a fully licensed UK bank. For large balances, consider keeping the majority of your savings in an FSCS-protected institution.

Does Revolut pay interest on savings?

Revolut savings vaults offer up to 4.60% AER on savings. Funds in Revolut Savings accounts held with partner banks may be covered by FSCS protection of up to £120,000 in those partner banks' names. Check Revolut's current savings rate in the app — it varies and is linked to market rates.

Revolut Review UK 2026: Travel Spending, 65M Customers, Crypto & Is It Safe?

Q: How much does Revolut cost?

Revolut offers: Revolut Standard: free (limited features); Revolut Plus: £3.99/month; Revolut Premium: £9.99/month; Revolut Metal: £16.99/month; Revolut Ultra: £55/month. Free account includes limited fee-free currency exchange (up to £1,000/month; 0.5% fee above and 1% markup at weekends) and limited international ATM withdrawals (£200/month free, then 2%).

Q: What is Revolut best for?

Revolut is best for: frequent international travellers (best currency exchange rates on most plans); those wanting crypto and stock trading within a banking app; people who need multi-currency accounts and international transfers; and those who use the app as a secondary account alongside a main FSCS-protected bank. Revolut's international features are unmatched by Monzo or Starling.

Revolut Review UK 2026: Best for Travel & International Banking?

Chandraketu Tripathi

Finance Editor, Kaeltripton

Published 4 Apr 2026

Last reviewed 9 May 2026

✓ Fact-checked

Part of: Best Bank Accounts UK 2026

Revolut has grown from a travel money card to a global financial super-app with 65 million customers across 48 countries. In the UK, it is the go-to for international use — but FSCS protection gaps are important to understand. Updated April 2026

Revolut at a Glance — 2026

Feature	Detail
Customers	65 million globally; 10 million+ in UK (2025)
FSCS protection	No on standard accounts — safeguarded funds only
Founded	2015; e-money institution; working towards UK bank licence
Free account name	Revolut Standard
Savings Vaults	Up to 4.60% AER (variable; via partner banks; may be FSCS-protected)
International spending (free plan)	Up to £1,000/month fee-free; 0.5% above; 1% markup on weekends
International spending (paid plans)	Higher limits; better rates; no weekend markup (some plans)
ATM withdrawals (free plan)	£200/month free; 2% thereafter
Crypto/stock trading	Yes — extensive range
Multi-currency accounts	Yes — hold and exchange 30+ currencies
Customer support	In-app chat (historically slow response times)

Revolut Account Plans 2026

Plan	Monthly Cost	Key Benefits	Best For
Standard	Free	Basic banking; limited forex; £200 ATM/month	Light users; secondary account
Plus	£3.99/month	Higher ATM; delayed flight protection; Revolut Junior	Families; occasional travellers
Premium	£9.99/month	Higher forex limits; overseas medical insurance; priority support	Regular international travellers
Metal	£16.99/month	Cashback on cards; airport lounge access; extended insurance	Frequent flyers; premium users
Ultra	£55/month	Revolut Pro perks; highest limits; exclusive benefits	Power users; business travellers

Revolut's Best Features

Currency exchange: Interbank exchange rates (no markup) on weekdays up to £1,000/month on free plan — far cheaper than most banks or travel money cards. Multi-currency accounts: Hold, receive and spend in 30+ currencies from a single app. Crypto and stock trading: Buy and sell crypto, stocks and commodities within the Revolut app — unavailable on Monzo or Starling. Savings Vaults: Up to 4.60% AER — competitive with dedicated savings accounts. Group vaults: Unique feature allowing shared savings goals with friends or family. Virtual cards: Create one-use virtual cards for online security.

Revolut's Weaknesses

No FSCS protection (standard accounts): This is the most significant concern. Large balances are safeguarded but not FSCS-insured. Keep significant savings in an FSCS-protected bank. Weekend markup: Free plan charges 1% on currency exchange at weekends. Customer service: Historically the most complained-about of the three digital banks — chatbot-heavy, long wait times, difficult to reach humans. Improving on paid plans but still a concern. No cheque or cash deposits: Cannot deposit cash or cheques. Not a full UK bank: Revolut's UK operation runs under an e-money licence, not a full banking licence — though this is changing.

Revolut vs Monzo vs Starling — Who Wins What

Category	Winner	Reason
International use	Revolut	Best forex rates; 30+ currencies; widest international features
Budgeting tools	Monzo	Most detailed spending breakdowns and categorisation
Overall value (free account)	Starling	Most comprehensive free features; no upselling
Business banking	Starling	Best free business account; Xero integration; cash deposits
Customer service	Starling	Only one with 24/7 phone on free account
Safety/FSCS	Monzo = Starling	Both FSCS £120,000; Revolut not FSCS on standard accounts
Investment/crypto	Revolut	Only one offering stocks, ETFs and crypto
Savings rates	Monzo	Up to 4.75% AER vs Revolut 4.60% vs Starling (tracks BoE base)

KAELTRIPTON VERDICT

Revolut is the best digital bank for international travel and multi-currency needs — but the lack of FSCS protection on standard accounts is a significant concern for large balances. Use Revolut as a travel and international account alongside an FSCS-protected primary bank (Starling or Monzo). The expert consensus: open Starling as your main account and use Revolut for travel — costs nothing and covers every use case.

Best for Travel — Use Alongside FSCS Bank

Q: Is Revolut safe UK?

A: FCA-regulated e-money institution. Funds safeguarded but NOT FSCS-protected on standard accounts. Work towards UK bank licence ongoing.

Q: How much does Revolut cost?

A: Free Standard account (limited). Plus: £3.99. Premium: £9.99. Metal: £16.99. Ultra: £55/month.

Q: What is Revolut best for?

A: International travel; multi-currency accounts; crypto/stock trading; secondary account for overseas use.

Q: Does Revolut pay interest?

A: Savings Vaults up to 4.60% AER. May be FSCS-protected via partner banks — check terms.

This article is for informational purposes only. Savings rates change frequently — always check current rates before opening an account. All institutions mentioned are FCA-regulated. FSCS protection £120,000 per person per institution from December 2025. Figures verified April 2026.

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