It means you can make repayments or transfer debt without paying interest
A 0% interest card lets you press pause on paying interest. That means you can use it for something like your everyday spending or to do a balance transfer, without paying the interest on the balance you carry over every month.
The 0% interest period isn’t forever
The 0% interest period can last anywhere between 6 months and 2 years. It’s a good idea to check what the interest rate will be after the promotional period ends – so you can plan ahead.
You still need to make the minimum repayments
The credit card will come with a credit limit, like normal, which you’ll need to stay within. And you’ll need to make at least the minimum monthly repayments. Otherwise, you risk losing the 0% offer.
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The different types of 0% interest credit cards
There are a few different types of 0% interest cards out there – find the right one for you.
let you transfer your existing credit card debt onto the new one. The 0% interest period means you won’t start building up interest on any of the balance you carry over. It can usually last anywhere between 6 months and 2 years.
are designed for large purchases. You’ll be able to spread the cost over a few months – and the 0% interest period means you could save money on interest.
let you move money into your bank account. They can help if you have an overdraft on your current account, or if you need cash. There’s usually a fee for transferring the money.
The application process
You can apply for a 0% interest card in the same way you’d apply for any credit card.
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The offers you’ll see are tailored to you.
We’ll ask you for some information to understand what you’re looking for and show you the credit cards you’re likely to be eligible for.
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If you see 3 green ticks, it means your offer is pre-approved, and comes with a locked-in credit limit and interest rate. Helping you plan ahead and take control of your finances.*
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We’ll show your approval chances when you search for a credit card – saving you time and effort.
You might have to give the lender some more information and then they’ll carry out a
Things to remember when taking out a 0% interest credit card
You need to make the minimum monthly repayments
The 0% interest offer applies to the balance you carry over – outside of the minimum monthly repayment. If you miss a payment, you risk losing the promotional 0% offer.
The 0% interest period doesn’t last forever
Make sure you understand when the offer ends and when you’ll need to start paying interest.
Borrowing responsibly can improve your credit score
Look out for the terms and conditions when it comes to taking out money at a cash machine or using the card abroad – there are usually fees. And staying within your credit limit and planning your budget in advance can help you build a strong credit history.
The benefits of 0% interest cards
0% interest credit cards can help when it comes to large purchases or existing credit card debt.
You can spread the cost of your purchases, without paying extra on the balance you carry over.
You could transfer your current credit card debt to stop paying interest during the promotional period.
Your credit score could improve if you borrow responsibly.
The risks of 0% interest cards
There are some risks to think about before getting a 0% interest card.
The interest rate after the promotional period ends can be quite high.
If you can’t make the minimum monthly repayments, or go over your credit limit, you risk losing the offer.
There’s usually a transfer fee on balance transfer cards.
Who’s eligible for a 0% interest credit card?
To get a credit card, you need to be at least 18 years old and a UK resident. And you usually need to be employed and have a good credit history.
Getting a 0% interest card with a bad credit score
If you have a bad or low credit score, you could still get a 0% interest card. You might be offered a lower credit limit and the 0% interest period might not be as good.
But, at ClearScore, we work with lenders who specialise in helping you find the
Whether you’re adding a new account, removing an old one, or just changing how much credit you use – you’ll find it here. So you can understand what makes your score move.
Take a closer look at your accounts
You can check out your payment history for the last 6 years. And we’ll show you when the account was opened and last updated. You can even see how much of your available credit limit you’ve used and what the loan balance is. Everything you need, all in one place.
Save time when looking for your next offer
We’ll show you offers tailored to you – and order them based on what might be right for you. And we’ll let you know what your approval chance is so you can feel confident about applying.
, before applying, is a good way to see what interest rates and credit limits are available to you.
The interest rate you’re offered is based on all the things that make up your credit score and report. Because credit cards are a type of unsecured credit, lenders might offer different interest rates to different people, once they assess how risky it is to lend to them. That’s why someone with no, or a bad, credit history might be offered a higher interest rate after the 0% promotional offer ends.
The 0% interest period could last anywhere between 6 months and 2 years. It depends on the lender, type of card, and your credit score and history.
It’s unlikely you’ll be able to extend the 0% interest period once you have the credit card. But, comparing cards before you apply can give you a better idea about what’s available to you.
A few things could happen if you miss a credit card payment – whether that’s by one day or longer. You might have to pay a fee (your lender will tell you) and the missed payment can appear on your credit report if you’re unable to pay within about 30 days. That could potentially affect your ability to get credit in the future – lenders look at your credit history to see if you have a track record of managing money responsibly. You could also lose the 0% interest offer.
If you can’t afford to pay your credit card statement, there are things you can do that could help. You should speak to your lender straight away and talk through your options with them. And, if you need debt advice, you can speak to charities like
Yes – if you want to pay off your credit card early, you can. If you make a repayment before your statement closing date (not the payment due date), your
would be lower. The closing date for your statement is roughly 21 days before your payment due date.
It depends how much money you need to borrow. Often, a loan can give you access to a higher lump sum of money and a credit card gives you a rolling credit limit you can dip into on a monthly basis.
Some purchase cards will let you transfer money directly into your bank account, but you’ll need to check the terms as they can differ from card to card.
APR stands for annual percentage rate. When you take out a credit card, you’ll need to pay it back ‘with interest’ if you carry over a balance. This is where
comes in – it’s made up of the interest rate and other charges you might have to pay (like an annual fee). When your promotional offer ends, the APR can be quite high.
Credit card APR doesn’t include fees you might have to pay if you miss a payment or take money out at a cash machine.
are designed for large purchases. You’ll be able to spread the cost over a few months – and the 0% interest period means you could save money on interest.
let you transfer your existing credit card balance onto another card. You could use one of these cards to consolidate your debt and pay it off within the low- or 0% interest period.
let you earn things like cashback, points or air miles when you make certain transactions. The interest rates can be high and some rewards cards also come with a monthly or annual fee.
help you build your credit score. The interest rates can be high and the credit limit low, but you could see your score improve if you keep up with the monthly repayments.