How to Transfer an ISA the Right Way (UK Rules)

Use the receiving provider’s official ISA transfer process to move an ISA. Do not withdraw money to your current account as a substitute for a transfer. You can transfer all or part of current-year or previous-year savings, subject to the providers’ terms and the rules for the ISA type.

Can I transfer only part of this year's ISA?

Yes: current rules allow partial transfers of current-year subscriptions. The old blanket requirement to transfer all current-year money should not be used as today's rule. A provider may still restrict which transfers it accepts, particularly for fixed-term products. Read both providers' terms before giving instructions. GOV.UK explains the transfer rules.

Example: you subscribed £15,000 to a cash ISA this tax year and want to move £3,000. If the providers accept the partial transfer, £12,000 stays in the original ISA and £3,000 moves inside the wrapper. Moving it does not itself create another £3,000 subscription. Your remaining overall allowance is still £5,000, assuming no other subscriptions.

How do I transfer safely?

1. Choose the receiving ISA and check that it accepts your ISA type and a full or partial transfer.
2. Check exit charges, loss of interest and any funding window with the old provider.
3. Complete the receiving provider's transfer form. Identify the old account and amount or holdings to move.
4. Let the providers arrange the transfer; keep the instruction and completion records.
5. Check the transferred balance, interest and subscription records before making further contributions.

A transfer and a new subscription are different transactions. Use our ISA allowance tracker for new contributions across accounts, not for adding up account balances.

What happens if I withdraw the money myself?

An ordinary withdrawal takes money out of the ISA wrapper. Paying it into another ISA can use your annual subscription allowance. A flexible ISA can allow qualifying replacement withdrawals in the same tax year under its conditions, but that is not a substitute for a provider-to-provider transfer. Check the flexible ISA guide and your account terms before withdrawing.

Can I change ISA type?

Cash and stocks-and-shares ISA transfers are possible, but the investments and risks change. A cash-to-investments transfer does not make an investment risk-free. Ask whether investments can move in specie or must be sold; a sale can leave you out of the market while the transfer completes.

Lifetime ISAs have additional restrictions. A transfer from a Lifetime ISA to a different type can attract a withdrawal charge; moving other ISA funds into a Lifetime ISA is subject to its annual payment limit. Do not apply the ordinary cash-ISA example to a LISA without checking the official Lifetime ISA rules.

How long should it take?

Government guidance gives 15 working days for a cash-to-cash transfer and 30 calendar days for other ISA transfers. If it takes longer, contact the providers and ask for a written update. Keep records and use the complaint process if necessary. Do not assume compensation or uninterrupted investment returns are automatic.

What should I compare before moving?

Compare the rate after any introductory bonus, fees, withdrawal restrictions, investment costs, exit penalties and service. For cash, check the authorised banking licence and applicable deposit protection rather than counting each brand as a separate bank. See cash versus fixed savings and cash-to-stocks-and-shares transfers.

The transfer rules above were checked on 16 September 2026. Provider acceptance and charges must be checked for your particular accounts.

A transfer decision sheet

Before starting, write down the current ISA type, receiving ISA type, full or partial amount, whether investments must be sold, exit charges and the receiving provider's acceptance conditions. Then choose the matching next step:

Situation	Next step
Cash ISA to another cash ISA	Ask the new provider to initiate the transfer; compare any penalty with the benefit of moving.
Investments to investments	Ask whether the holdings can move without sale and what dealing restrictions apply during transfer.
Current-year partial transfer	Confirm both providers support your requested transfer and retain subscription records.
Lifetime ISA involved	Check the special rules and possible charge before applying an ordinary ISA example.
You already withdrew the money	Ask the providers about the actual transaction and any flexibility rules; do not assume the transfer process can be backdated.

Worked example: a better rate but an exit charge

For illustration, compare £10,000 earning 3% with 4% over one year. Ignoring compounding, the extra annual interest is £100. If the old product imposes a £150 exit charge, the first year's extra interest would not cover that charge. The simple break-even is around 18 months only if the rates, balance and other terms stay unchanged. Use your provider's actual penalty calculation and remaining term before deciding.

After the transfer completes

Keep the completion notice, confirm the amount and interest received, and reconcile the year's new subscriptions across all accounts. A £3,000 provider-to-provider transfer is not a second £3,000 subscription. The ISA allowance tracker is for new subscriptions; do not add every transferred balance as new money.

Decision sheet and illustrative arithmetic added 18 September 2026.