Monzo for 16-17s

The free bank account for 16-17 year olds

Get an account of your own for real independence. Spend, split with friends, and save for the things you want.

A teenage wearing hot coral headphones lies on the grass, looking at a smartphone with a hot coral Monzo card visible in the phone case. A tote bag and sunglasses rest nearby.

16-17 year olds only. UK residents only. Ts&Cs apply.

15 million customersbank with Monzo

4.9

App Store

4.8

Google Play

4.6

Trustpilot

Which? recommended current account provider
Best current account provider – British Bank Awards

The App Store, Google Play Store and Trustpilot ratings are correct as of 27 Apr, 2026.

Say hello to Hot Coral

Get your own card, app controls, account number and sort code. Pay, get paid and get straight on with your weekend plans.

A person taps a hot coral Monzo card on a card reader to make a contactless payment at a café. A pink milkshake is visible on the table in the background.

Spend, send, split - your way

Spend with friends without the stress. Split the bill in the app, no need for cash. And as a bonus, earn cashback when you eat out, travel around or shop at eligible brands. Ts&Cs apply.

With (almost) everything you get as an adult

We’ve blocked spending for things you can’t do if you’re under 18, like gambling. You can’t get an overdraft, but we won’t charge you if you accidentally go overdrawn.

Get paid early

Nothing hits quite like your first paycheck. Get paid into your Monzo account by Bacs and get your money at 4pm one business day early. Ts&Cs apply.

Save on your terms

Round up spare change, grow savings with interest, and access your money any time you need.

A young person sitting with a laptop, looking at the screen while holding a pair of glasses.

Fee-free spending abroad

Pay abroad with no fees. We pass Mastercard’s exchange rate directly onto you, without extra charges.

A full Monzo account at 18

No need to apply again. We’ll remove the rest of the restrictions automatically once you’re 18.

A person wearing sunglasses talks on a smartphone with a hot coral Monzo card visible inside a clear phone case. The person stands outdoors on a sunny day with trees and blue sky in the background.

Earn 2.75% AER (variable) interest

No need to lock your money away. With Instant Access Savings, you can withdraw money whenever you need to – and leave it there to grow when you don't, with interest paid monthly.

Plus, use Pots to separate your money however you like, whether you're budgeting for a trip or making sure you never miss a gig.

A list of three savings pots shows progress towards different goals: Summer Trip, Gaming Setup and New Trainers. Each savings pot includes a progress bar and the current amount saved.

Ready for a 16-17s account?

Step 1

Open a free Monzo account

It takes just 10 minutes to apply.

A smartphone showing a verification screen explaining that photo ID is needed to continue an application.

Step 2

Fill out a few questions

We'll ask you some questions to help us set up your account, but there's no lengthy paperwork to fill in.

Step 3

Add your Hot Coral card to your digital wallet

Once your account’s open, you can start using your card straight away with your digital wallet.

15 million personal and business customers have changed the way they bank

15 million personal and business customers have changed the way they bank

Questions? Answers.

Can I open a Monzo account at 16 without a parent?

Yes, you can open a 16-17s account completely on your own. You don't need a parent or guardian to apply or manage it. It's yours. All you need is some photo ID, your own UK mobile number, and an email address set up on your phone.

I already have an Under 16s account, how do I change accounts?

Here's how to level up to a 16–17s account:

  • Open the Monzo app and find your Under 16s card

  • Tap the three dots 

  • Tap ‘Monzo for 16-17s’

  • Follow the steps to apply


While we check your details, you can keep using your Under 16s card as normal.

Once you're approved, your new Hot Coral card arrives in 2–5 working days. Activate it, and your Under 16s access will end. Not ready to switch yet? That's fine – your Under 16s account keeps working until you turn 18.

How long does it take to open the account?

The application itself takes around 10 minutes. After that, we'll check your details – this usually takes between 5 minutes and an hour, but can sometimes take up to 48 hours. We'll get in touch if we need anything else from you.

Once approved, your card arrives in 2–5 working days.

What ID do I need to open a Monzo 16-17 account?

You'll need :

  • A valid, in-date photo ID – we accept passports, driving licences, and national identity cards

  • Your own UK mobile number (we'll send you a verification code)

  • An email address set up on your phone (we'll send you a link to get started)


You'll also need to be 16 or 17 and based in the UK.

Are there spending limits or blocks?

We automatically block spending on things that are off-limits for under-18s, like gambling. Other than that, there are no set daily spending limits on your account.

There's no overdraft either. But if your balance dips below £0 (which can happen with delayed payments), we won't charge you for it.

What happens to the account when I turn 18?

When you turn 18, you'll automatically move to a full Monzo current account. That means access to more features, including the option to apply for things like an overdraft.

Your money, card details, and spending history all carry over, so there's nothing to worry about.

Does Monzo charge fees for using my card abroad?

Nope. When you pay by card abroad, we pass Mastercard's exchange rate directly to you – no added fees from us. You can see the real-time exchange rate in the app as you spend.

For cash withdrawals:

  • In the European Economic Area (EEA): free and unlimited, as long as Monzo is your main bank account

  • Outside the EEA: free up to £200 every 30 days, then we charge 3% after that

Can 16 and 17-year-olds earn interest on their savings?

Yes. Open an Instant Access Savings Pot and you'll earn 2.75% AER (variable), paid monthly. Your money isn't locked away either, so you can dip into your savings whenever you need to.

Time to go full Monzo

Use the Current Account Switch Service to close your main current account and move everything over to us. Once you’ve opened an account, tap the '+' sign in the app and find 'Switch to Monzo’.

  • We move your money, Direct Debits and standing orders over

  • We redirect incoming payments (including your salary)

  • We close your other bank account

  • You choose a switch date and we'll do the rest in 7 working days

Current Account Switch Guarantee Logo

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