First Direct £210 Switch Bonus Review
First Direct switch review covering the current £210 window (£175 plus a £35 boost), £1,000 pay-in, 5 card payments, digital banking login and Direct Debit or standing order requirement.
Rating
4.2/5
Best for
Switchers who want a strong bonus and a well-liked app/telephone bank.
First Direct is one of the better switch bonuses if you are eligible, because the current £210 window is strong and the account itself has a good reputation. The catch is the checklist: full switch, £1,000 deposit, 5+ card payments, digital banking login, and 2 Direct Debits or standing orders within 45 days.
Pros
- Current £210 window (£175 plus £35 boost)
- Good fit if you value app and telephone banking
- Lower pay-in than HSBC and Barclays
Watch-outs
- Never-held-First-Direct rule is strict
- Several activity steps must be completed in the qualifying window
- No branch network
Current related offer
First Direct offer page
Provider
First Direct
Switch to a First Direct 1st Account for £210 cash (£175 switch bonus plus a temporary £35 boost) when you open between 14 September and 2 December 2026. Within 45 days you need a full CASS switch with at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders, a £1,000 deposit, 5+ debit card payments, and a digital banking login.
Requirement: CASS switch with 2 Direct Debits or standing orders, £1,000 deposit, 5+ card payments, and digital banking login within 45 days
Medium15-20 minutesPayout By the 20th of the month after all criteria are met
Verified 16 September 2026 · Ends 2 December 2026
Full claim instructions are on the First Direct offer page.
Related comparisons
Who it suits
First Direct suits people who have never used the bank and want a clean switch target with a strong cash bonus.
It is also a decent long-term account if you like phone support and app banking, rather than just a place to collect a switch incentive.
Reward and requirements
The current GetQuids page tracks a £210 window (£175 plus a £35 boost for accounts opened between 14 September and 2 December 2026), with a £1,000 deposit, 5+ card payments, digital banking login, and 2 Direct Debits or standing orders within 45 days.
The lower pay-in makes it easier than HSBC or Barclays, but the activity list still needs planning.
Main watch-outs
The strictest issue is eligibility: if you have ever held a First Direct product, assume you may not qualify.
Do not wait until the final days of the boosted window. CASS timing, card arrival and Direct Debit movement can all take longer than expected.
FAQ
- Is First Direct better than HSBC for a switch bonus?
- First Direct has a lower pay-in and no £500 debit-card spend requirement, but stricter lifetime eligibility. HSBC pays more if you can satisfy the heavier checklist.
- Do I need Direct Debits for First Direct?
- The current route can use 2 Direct Debits or standing orders, alongside the pay-in, login and card-payment requirements. Check the live page before switching.
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6 min readLast updated 16 September 2026. Reviews are informational only and not financial advice.