How Do ISA Transfers Work?

Home ISA Guides How do ISA transfers work

At a glance

Transferring your ISA allows you to move funds from one ISA to another while retaining your tax-free benefits
By transferring your ISA, you may be able to take advantage of higher returns being paid elsewhere, or streamline your finances
Cash ISA transfers are typically completed within 15 working days.

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What is an ISA transfer?

An ISA transfer allows you to move your funds from one ISA to another without losing your tax-free benefits. The process applies both when transferring funds between the same type of ISA and moving your savings to a different type of ISA. This means you could choose to move money held in a cash ISA to a stocks and shares ISA, for instance.

There are many reasons why you may want to transfer an ISA. It could be another account is offering higher returns or more favourable conditions. Consolidating multiple ISAs into one account could also help make managing your finances easier. Alternatively, you may be transferring your funds to a different type of ISA which better aligns with your financial goals.

Whatever the reason, it’s important to use an ISA transfer when it comes to moving your funds. This is because if you were to simply withdraw and reinvest your money, you’d be using up some or all of your ISA allowance and may also lose your tax-free wrapper.

Consider this…

Say, for example, you’ve made regular use of your ISA allowance over the past four years and have accumulated £40,000 within a stocks and shares ISA. In this scenario, you may consider spreading your risk by investing £25,000 of this fund in a Cash ISA.

However, if you were to withdraw this amount and try to deposit it in a Cash ISA, the transaction would be rejected as it breaches the £20,000 annual limit.

Instead, the best course of action would be to transfer the funds from your stocks and shares ISA to a Cash ISA. This would ensure the entire sum stays tax-free while also not using up any of your ISA allowance.

ISA transfer rules

When it comes to transferring ISAs, there are some key rules to be aware of:

All providers must allow ISAs to be transferred out; however, there is no obligation for providers to accept transfers in
While you can transfer any type of ISA, it is at the discretion of your new provider as to which type of ISA they permit transfers in from.
From 6 April 2024, you can choose to transfer your entire ISA pot or part of your balance, regardless of when you paid the money in. However, some providers may not offer or accept partial transfers so it’s worth checking the terms of the account.
There is no limit on the amount you can transfer, nor any restrictions on when you can make a transfer.
Keep in mind, though, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) only protects balances of up to £85,000 in a savings account or ISA.

As for completing the transfer, there are a few steps you’ll need to follow:

Check your provider accepts transfers in

While all providers have to allow you to transfer ISAs out, some won’t allow transfers in from all or certain types of ISAs.

This is where our ISA charts can help. You can filter for accounts which accept transfers in by changing the investment type to ‘ISA transfer’ either at the top of the page or by selecting ‘full search’.

Then, by clicking ‘view further details’ next to an account on our chart, you can see the different types of ISA it allows transfers from.

Check if transfer fees apply

Once you’ve found out whether your new ISA accepts transfers in, it’s time to work out whether your current provider charges a fee for transferring out funds. Fixed rate ISAs, for example, will sometimes impose a loss of interest penalty on transfers out.

Similarly, you’ll incur a 25% charge for transferring out a Lifetime ISA to a different type of ISA before the age of 60.

Contact your new provider and complete the ISA transfer form

When you’re confident transferring your ISA is the right decision for you, you’ll need to contact your new provider and request an ISA transfer form. This form will require you to provide some personal details, the name and account details of your existing provider as well as the amount you wish to transfer.

Transferring a stocks and shares ISA

If you’re looking to move funds held in a stocks and shares ISA, you’ll also need to decide which transfer method to use based on your circumstances; either an ‘in-specie’ or cash transfer.

In-specie transfers: Are when you transfer your investments to a new provider. However, this typically only applies if your new provider offers the same investments. This can take up to six weeks to complete, but means your money remains invested throughout the process.

Cash transfers: This is when you sell your investments, with the proceeds passed on to a new provider.

Transfer out fees can also apply to stocks and shares ISAs, which you’ll need to take into consideration when deciding whether transferring your ISA is the right course of action.

Similarly, you may encounter transaction fees when moving your stocks and shares ISA to a cash ISA to cover the cost of selling your investments.

How long do ISA transfers take?

Transferring cash ISAs can take up to 15 days, while other types of ISA, such as transferring to and from a stocks and shares ISAs, may take up to 30 days.

If your ISA transfer exceeds these timeframes, you can lodge a complaint with your provider. In some instances, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of interest during the transfer.

If your complaint is rejected, you could consider raising it higher with the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Compare the best ISA rates

Our ISA charts are updated regularly throughout the day to bring you the latest top rates; you can use them to compare easy access, fixed rate and notice cash ISAs.

Looking for an investment opportunity? You can compare stocks and shares ISAs using another of our dedicated charts.

ISA transfer FAQs

Does transferring an ISA count as opening a new one?

No, transferring an ISA doesn’t count as opening a new one and it won’t affect your annual ISA allowance for that tax-year.

Do I lose interest if I transfer my ISA?

You may lose interest if your current ISA provider imposes a loss of interest penalty on transfers out. This most commonly applies when transferring from a fixed rate or notice Cash ISA.

Otherwise, your original ISA will continue to pay interest until the funds are sent across to your new provider.

When is the best time to transfer an ISA?

While you can transfer your ISA at any time, some of the best rates can often be found during ISA season leading up to the new tax-year. It’s good practice to regularly review top rates; our weekly ISA roundup could simplify your search as it offers a comprehensive overview of the best ISA rates available.

Can you make a partial transfer from a Cash ISA?

From 6 April 2024, it’s possible to make a partial transfer from a cash ISA to a new ISA, whether you deposited the money into the account in the current tax-year or a previous tax-year.

However, not all providers are required to offer or accept partial transfers, so you should check the terms of individual providers to see what they allow.

Can you transfer a Junior ISA?

While it’s possible to transfer between a Junior Cash ISA and Junior stocks and shares ISA, you can’t transfer a Junior ISA to any other types of ISA.

Can you transfer an ISA to friends or family?

No, you can’t transfer your ISA to a friend or family member, as the tax-free benefits are solely linked to the account holder.

However, if your spouse or civil partner were to pass away, you can inherit their ISA allowance.

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Disclaimer: This information is intended solely to provide guidance and is not financial advice. Moneyfacts will not be liable for any loss arising from your use or reliance on this information. If you are in any doubt, Moneyfacts recommends you obtain independent financial advice.

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