Part of our First Direct UK — Complete Guide 2026 hub.
First Direct’s standard daily ATM withdrawal limit is £300 — in line with most UK high-street banks. Here’s a complete guide to cash limits, overseas fees, and how to change your limit — plus why First Direct’s 24/7 phone line means you can always request a change at any hour.
First Direct ATM Limits at a Glance
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard daily ATM limit | £300 |
| UK ATM fee | Free |
| Overseas ATM fee | 2.99% + £1.50 per withdrawal |
| Limit reset | Midnight (UK time) each day |
| Limit adjustment | Via app or 03 456 100 100 (24/7) |
How First Direct’s ATM Limit Compares
| Bank | Standard Daily ATM Limit |
|---|---|
| Lloyds Bank | £500 |
| NatWest | £300 |
| HSBC | £300 |
| Santander | £300 |
| First Direct | £300 |
| Virgin Money | £300 |
First Direct sits at the standard £300 alongside most high-street banks. Lloyds offers £500 as its standard limit. For larger cash needs, a First Direct branch counter withdrawal isn’t an option (First Direct has no branches), but you can request a temporary limit increase by calling 03 456 100 100 — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Overseas ATM Withdrawals with First Direct
First Direct charges two fees when you use your debit card at an overseas ATM:
- 2.99% non-sterling transaction fee — applied to the sterling equivalent of each withdrawal
- £1.50 fixed fee per ATM transaction abroad
Example: Withdrawing €200 abroad (approximately £170) would cost £5.10 (2.99%) + £1.50 = £6.60 total in First Direct fees. This makes First Direct slightly more expensive overseas than Lloyds, HSBC, or Santander, which charge 2.99% without the fixed ATM fee.
For regular overseas cash withdrawals, the combined fee adds up quickly. Consider using:
- Starling Bank — no overseas ATM fees (up to £300/day free, then 0.5%)
- Chase UK — no foreign transaction fees, worldwide ATM withdrawals free
- Nationwide FlexPlus — fee-free overseas ATM use included in the £13/month packaged account
How to Adjust Your First Direct ATM Limit
Via the First Direct app:
- Sign in and tap Manage card
- Select Spending limits or Card limits
- Adjust the daily ATM limit and confirm
Via telephone banking (available 24/7):
- Call 03 456 100 100
- Pass security checks — First Direct answers with human agents around the clock
- Request a temporary or permanent limit change
The 24/7 phone line is a genuine differentiator: if you need a limit increase at 11pm before a large cash withdrawal the next morning, you can arrange it that night.
Getting More Cash Than £300 Allows
Without branches, First Direct customers can’t walk in for a counter withdrawal. Alternatives include:
- Cashback at supermarkets — major UK supermarkets offer free cashback of up to £100 per transaction at checkout
- Requesting a temporary limit increase — call 03 456 100 100 in advance of any day you need more than £300
- Splitting across two days — the limit resets at midnight, so consecutive-day withdrawals give up to £600 without any limit change
- Bank transfer — for large purchases, a Faster Payments transfer is often safer and more practical than withdrawing cash
Card Freezing and Loss
First Direct has no branches, so if your card is lost or stolen, immediate action via the app or phone is essential:
- Freeze your card instantly in the First Direct app — tap Manage card → Freeze card
- Call 03 456 100 100 — fraud and lost card support is available 24/7
- A replacement card will be sent by post — typically arriving within a few working days