Yes — you can deposit cash into Monzo, but it works differently from a high-street bank. Monzo has no branches. Cash deposits are made at Post Office branches and PayPoint retail locations using your Monzo debit card.
There is a £1 fee per PayPoint deposit and firm limits apply: £300 per transaction and £1,000 per rolling 6-month period.
This guide is part of the Monzo hub, which covers all Monzo features, limits, and fees.
Monzo Cash Deposit — Key Facts
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Where to deposit | Post Office branches or PayPoint retailers |
| Fee — PayPoint | £1 per deposit |
| Fee — Post Office | Free via Monzo (confirm on arrival) |
| Maximum per deposit | £300 |
| Maximum per 6 months | £1,000 |
| Time to arrive | Usually within minutes |
How to Deposit Cash into Monzo
Step 1 — Find a location
Open the Monzo app → Account → Add money → Deposit cash. The app shows nearby PayPoint and Post Office locations on a map. Alternatively, find PayPoint locations at paypoint.com or Post Offices at postoffice.co.uk.
Step 2 — Go to the retailer
Take your Monzo debit card and the cash you want to deposit. You do not need to set anything up in the app beforehand.
Step 3 — Ask the cashier
At PayPoint: tell the cashier you want to make a cash deposit and hand over your Monzo card and cash. They process it through the PayPoint terminal. The £1 fee is deducted from the amount deposited (so £100 cash becomes £99 in your account) — confirm this with the cashier.
At the Post Office: tell the cashier you want to deposit cash to your bank account and present your Monzo card.
Step 4 — Confirm in the app
Funds typically appear within minutes. You receive an in-app notification. Keep the receipt until the deposit is confirmed — you will need it if anything goes wrong.
The £1 PayPoint Fee — What It Costs in Practice
| Frequency | Annual cost in fees |
|---|---|
| 1 deposit per month | £12/year |
| 2 deposits per month | £24/year |
| Maximum deposits (£300 each, every ~11 days) | ~£40/year |
Given the £1,000 per 6-month cap, the absolute maximum you will pay in Monzo PayPoint fees is capped regardless of how often you deposit. For occasional cash deposits, the fee is not a major issue. For frequent depositors, the 6-month limit is the bigger constraint.
The £1,000 Six-Month Limit
The £1,000 per rolling 6-month cap is approximately £167 per month. This is a real constraint for:
- Sole traders or freelancers receiving cash payments
- Market traders or cash-heavy small businesses
- Anyone receiving large cash gifts or collecting rent in cash
If you need to deposit more than £167/month regularly, Monzo is not the right primary account for cash. For a direct comparison, see the Monzo vs Starling vs Revolut comparison.
Monzo Cash Deposits vs Other App Banks
| Bank | Cash deposit | Fee | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monzo | PayPoint and Post Office | £1 (PayPoint) | £300/transaction, £1,000/6 months |
| Starling | Post Office | Free | £5,000/day, £25,000/6 months |
| Chase UK | Not available | — | — |
| Revolut | Not available | — | — |
Starling is significantly better for cash: free at the Post Office, with limits 25× higher. If you regularly handle cash, Starling’s deposit access is a meaningful advantage — though Monzo’s Pots and budgeting features may still make it preferable for day-to-day money management. For more on Monzo’s features, see the full Monzo review.
Tips for Cash Deposits with Monzo
- Use the Post Office where possible to avoid the £1 PayPoint fee
- Deposit in larger amounts to reduce the number of fee-paying transactions
- Track your 6-month total in the app — going to Account → Add money → Deposit cash shows your remaining allowance
- Keep receipts until deposits are confirmed in your account
Summary
Monzo accepts cash deposits at Post Office branches (free) and PayPoint locations (£1 per deposit), up to £300 per transaction and £1,000 every 6 months. For occasional cash deposits this is adequate. For regular cash income, Starling (free, £25,000 limit) or a high-street bank account is more practical.
For the full picture of Monzo’s features, accounts, and fees, see the Monzo hub.