Starling Bank Referrals Are Paused — Here's What Still Works

About This Offer

Starling Bank is an award-winning digital bank based in the UK, known for its fee-free current account, real-time spending notifications, and excellent in-app budgeting tools. It has consistently been rated one of the best banks in the country by customers.

Until 2026, opening a Starling account with a referral code earned both sides £25 once the new customer made a qualifying payment. Starling has since withdrawn the refer-a-friend programme, so no referral code — including YGLC43G — will credit. We keep the details below for reference and will restore the live offer the moment Starling reopens referrals.

💷 What the Starling Referral Deal Paid

When live, the programme paid £25 free cash to each side when a new customer signed up with a referral code such as YGLC43G.

Programme withdrawn — last checked June 2026.

We'll restore the live offer here if Starling reopens referrals.

How the £25 Bonus Worked

For reference (and for when the programme returns), this is how the referral worked when it was live:

• Download the Starling app: Get the Starling Bank app from the App Store or Google Play.
• Enter the referral code: During sign-up, enter referral code YGLC43G when prompted.
• Open your account: Follow the in-app steps to open a personal current account. You will need to verify your identity with a photo ID and a selfie.
• Make one payment: Use your Starling card or account to make at least one qualifying payment within 30 days of opening your account.
• Get your £25: The cash bonus will be deposited into a dedicated Space in your account within 7 days of your qualifying payment.

What counts as a qualifying payment?

Most everyday payments count — shopping, subscriptions, contactless payments, and online purchases. However, some transactions do not qualify: refunds, foreign currency payments, gambling transactions, bank transfers, e-money top-ups, standing orders, and Direct Debits are all excluded. A simple card payment at a shop or online retailer is the easiest way to qualify.

Key Terms & Conditions

• New Customers Only: You must not already hold or have previously held a Starling Bank account (including business accounts).
• UK Residents: You must be a UK resident aged 18 or over.
• Payment Required: You must make at least one qualifying payment within 30 days of opening your account.
• Referral Code: You must enter the code YGLC43G during the application process.

Why Choose Starling Bank?

Starling has won Best British Bank multiple years running. The account is completely free with no monthly fees. You get instant spending notifications, fee-free spending abroad, easy budgeting tools called Spaces, and excellent customer support through the app.

It is a genuine full-featured bank account, not just a prepaid card. You can set up Direct Debits, receive your salary, and manage everything from your phone. Your money is protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 (the deposit limit since December 2025).

Can I refer friends after signing up?

Not at the moment. Starling has withdrawn its refer-a-friend scheme entirely, so there is no in-app referral code to share. When the programme was live, each successful referral paid both sides £25 (up to 10 referrals). If Starling brings it back, existing customers will find their code in the app — and we'll update this page the same day.

Compare digital banks