The best 0% balance transfer credit cards November 2023

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Switching to a balance transfer credit card can help you avoid costly interest payments on your credit card debt. 

In response to the cost of living crisis, credit card borrowing is growing according to The Bank of England, if you find yourself having a lot of credit card debt that needs paying off, you can save hundreds of pounds just by switching to a 0% balance transfer credit card. 

Simply put, a balance transfer card allows you to transfer the debt from your old credit card to a new one, where you can pay off your debt with no interest charged for a certain time period. 

There are many offers and right now, the best 0% balance transfer card can bag you nearly three years to pay off your debt, interest-free.

Note, some credit cards charge a fee to transfer the debt, but these are the ones that offer a longer period of 0% balance transfer. Whereas credit cards that don’t have a transfer fee offer a shorter timeframe in which to repay the balance. 

It essentially means it’s a cheaper way to become debt-free as you won’t be paying interest on your repayments. 

To make sure you don’t pay any interest, you will need to make at least the minimum repayment each month and repay the whole debt within the interest-free period. It is important to keep up with the repayments and do not use the card to spend on, or you will be charged a hefty interest. 

When the 0% period ends, you’ll be charged interest on any balance on the card - so aim to pay off your debt in the timeframe you get.

Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit cards

Longest 0% interest balance transfer cards

Here are some of the longest 0% balance transfer cards available. These ones include a transfer fee, but if you don't need as long to pay off your debt, then below we have also listed some cards with no transfer fee, but fewer months on the 0% balance period. 

Note, you will need a good credit score to get the top deal; our links take you to the eligibility checker on our sister site GoCompare (select 0% balance transfer on the drop-down menu) so that you can see how likely you are to be accepted.

This list is updated regularly, with guidance from data analyst Defaqto.

Natwest Longer Balance Transfer Credit Card | 30 months 0% interest | 2.99% transfer fee| 23.9% APR after 0% period

This balance transfer credit card is available for new and existing customers. This credit card also comes with 0% on purchases for up to 3 months, but it must be paid off in full in those 3 months. 

Check to see if you can get the Natwest deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Natwest.  

Barclaycard Platinum Balance Transfer | up to 30 months 0% interest | 2.98% transfer fee | 22.9 APR after 0% period 

This balance transfer credit card is only available for new customers. Note, this offer states 'up to,' so the free balance transfer period you get will depend on your credit history. With this offer you also get four free Apple subscriptions for five months. 

Check to see if you can get the Barclaycard deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Barclaycard.  

Tesco Bank Balance Transfer Credit Card | up to 30 months 0% interest | 3.49% transfer fee | 22.9 APR after 0% period 

This balance transfer credit card is available for new and existing customers. When you spend on your Tesco credit card, you earn Tesco Clubcard points and this card comes with 9 months 0% interest on money transfers.

Check to see if you can get the Tesco deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Tesco Bank.  

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M&S Balance Transfer Plus offer Credit Card | up to 28 months 0% interest | 2.99% transfer fee | 23.9% APR after 0% period | M&S points

Note, if your credit score isn't great, you could get less time to pay off the balance before you're charged interest. This card also offers 0% on shopping for 3 months and you can collect M&S points every time you use your card.

Check to see if you can get this deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to M&S Bank.

Santander Balance Transfer Credit Card | up to 28 months 0% interest | 3% transfer fee | 22.9% APR after 0% period

Be aware if your credit score isn't great you could get less time to pay off the balance before you're charged interest. This credit card also offers 0% interest on purchases from when you open the account. 

Check to see if you can get the Santander deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Santander.

HSBC Balance Transfer Card | 27 months 0% interest | 2.99% fee | 23.9% APR after 0% period

This card gives you 27 months to pay off your balance interest with a 2.99% transfer fee. It also offers 0% interest on purchases for up to 3 months. You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.

Check to see if you can get the HSBC card via GoCompare's eligibility checker or apply directly to HSBC. 

Longest no-fee 0% interest balance transfer cards

Clear your debt with a credit card that offers a fee-free balance transfer. Note, this comes with a shorter time frame to pay off your debt (our list below goes down to 20 months), so it’s recommended to only go for this option if you are able to do that. 

Be sure to check if you're eligible for your chosen credit card through our links which take you to the eligibility checker on our sister site GoCompare. Go on the drop down menu and select 0% balance transfer when on the site.

These are some of the best no-fee, 0% transfer cards available. This list is updated regularly, with guidance from data analyst Defaqto.

LONGEST NO FEE

Natwest Balance Transfer Credit Card | 19 months 0% interest | No transfer fee| 23.9% APR after 0% period

This top no-fee balance transfer credit card is available for new and existing customers and it comes with 0% on purchases for up to 3 months, but it must be paid off in full in those 3 months. 

Check to see if you can get the Natwest deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Natwest.  

Santander Everyday No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card | up to 12 months 0% interest | No transfer fee | 22.9% APR after 0% period

Note, if your credit score isn't great you could get less time to pay off the balance before you're charged interest. You can also get up to 3 months 0% interest on purchases

Check to see if you can get the deal via GoCompare's eligibility checker now or apply directly to Santander. 

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 0% BALANCE TRANSFER CARD  

Before applying for a 0% balance transfer credit card, it's important to know how to use one because if used incorrectly, it can prove to be costly. Here’s our guide on how you can take advantage of a 0% balance transfer credit card in the best possible way. 

Remember, the recommended credit cards listed are purely for you to make the most of 0% balance transfers. You can find 0% on purchases on our best 0% purchase credit cards. 

So If you withdraw cash or make purchases with your balance transfer card, you will be charged a high rate unless the same credit card offers 0% on balance transfers and purchases like the Santander All in One credit card. 

That said, some 0% balance transfer credit cards may also come with 0% on purchases, but only for a certain period of time. For example the Santander Everyday No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card offers up to 21 months 0% interest with no transfer fee and up to 3 months 0% interest on purchases. 

Aim to pay off the balance before the 0% period ends, as you will face high interest charges after that. If you haven’t cleared it before the 0% term ends, switch to another balance transfer deal. 

Always keep up with the minimum monthly payments. If you miss any, you will face a fee and could even lose the 0% deal. Set up a direct debit to minimise the risk of missed payments. 

Complete your transfer within one to three months to get the 0% deal; transfer after this time period will be charged at a high interest rate. 

You can't transfer a balance between cards from the same bank or banking group. So where you're transferring debt from will narrow down the choice. For example, Lloyds Banking Group owns Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland so you couldn’t transfer debt from a Halifax credit card to a Bank of Scotland credit card.

WHO CAN GET A 0% BALANCE TRANSFER CREDIT CARD?

Typically, you’ll need a good credit score. It usually depends on the interest-free term you are going for, for a longer period of 0% balance transfer like 33 months, it would require a better credit score than if you were to opt for a 20 month 0% balance transfer credit card.

You can check your score for free at credit reference agencies Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. 

Legally, credit card firms only need to give their advertised deals to 51% of successful applicants, so you may be offered a shorter 0% interest period than advertised.