Starling Spaces are savings sub-accounts that sit within your Starling account. You can create multiple Spaces, name them for different goals, and move money in and out instantly. Some Spaces earn interest via partner banks.
Spaces are Starling’s equivalent of Monzo Pots — a way to organise your money without needing multiple bank accounts.
Part of the Starling Bank hub — for the full account overview see Starling Bank Review 2026.
Starling Spaces — Key Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Instant — no notice period |
| Types | Standard Space (0%) or Savings Space (variable AER) |
| Number of Spaces | Multiple (no stated limit) |
| FSCS protection | Yes — via Starling and via partner banks separately |
| Minimum deposit | £1 |
| Fee | None |
| Locked Spaces | Not available — all Spaces are instant access |
Types of Starling Spaces
Standard Space
A Standard Space earns no interest. It functions purely as a ring-fence — money you put in is separated from your main balance, so you don’t accidentally spend it.
Common uses:
- Emergency fund
- Holiday savings
- Annual bills (car insurance, home insurance, subscriptions)
- Saving toward a specific purchase
You can name each Space and set a savings target. Starling tracks your progress toward the target automatically.
Savings Space
A Savings Space links to a partner bank’s savings product. The interest rate is variable and shown in the app when you create the Space. Interest is typically credited monthly.
The partner bank holds the money in your name — this is important for FSCS purposes (see below). You can still access the money instantly. There is no fee for using Savings Spaces — see Starling Fees for a full list of what Starling charges.
The interest rate varies over time and may change when the Bank of England base rate changes. You can find the current rate in the app.
FSCS Protection — The Savings Space Advantage
Money in a Savings Space held by a partner bank is covered by that partner bank’s FSCS allowance — separate from your Starling balance. This means:
- Main Starling balance + Standard Spaces: up to £85,000 under Starling’s FSCS
- Savings Space (partner bank): up to £85,000 under the partner bank’s FSCS separately
If you have £85,000 in your Starling main balance and £85,000 in a Savings Space via a different partner bank, both amounts are fully FSCS protected — effectively £170,000 protected in total.
This is the same principle as Monzo’s Instant Access Pot (via partner banks such as Investec or OakNorth).
How to Create a Starling Space
- Open the Starling app
- Tap the Spaces tab (or navigate from your account home)
- Tap Create a Space or the + button
- Choose: Standard Space or Savings Space
- Name your Space and set an optional savings target
- Transfer money in
To move money out, tap the Space, select Move money, and transfer back to your main account. It arrives immediately.
Starling Spaces vs Monzo Pots — Comparison
| Feature | Starling Spaces | Monzo Pots |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (0% interest) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Interest-bearing (variable) | ✅ Yes (Savings Space) | ✅ Yes (Instant Access Pot) |
| Fixed rate / Locked | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Locked Pot) |
| Round-up | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| All instant access | ✅ Yes | Some locked (up to 1 year) |
| FSCS via partner bank | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Monthly fee required | None | None (on free plan) |
Where Monzo Pots win: Monzo’s Locked Pot offers fixed-rate returns in exchange for committing your money for a set period (e.g. 3 months, 6 months, 1 year). The rate is typically higher than a variable Savings Space. If you are happy locking money away, Monzo’s Locked Pot may earn more.
Where Starling Spaces win: Everything is instant access. You never face an early withdrawal penalty. This suits people who want flexibility — particularly useful for an emergency fund.
Tips for Using Starling Spaces Effectively
- Emergency fund: Create a Standard Space and target 3 months’ essential expenses. Keep it in the Savings Space for interest, but accessible instantly.
- Bills buffer: Put a set amount aside each month for annual bills (car insurance, TV licence, etc.) so they don’t hit unexpectedly.
- Multiple goal tracking: Name each Space clearly — “Holiday 2027”, “Christmas”, “New Car” — and set a target amount. Starling shows progress visually.
- Salary allocation: Set up a standing order on payday to move set amounts into each Space automatically.
- Business use: If you run a sole trader business, Spaces are also available in the Starling Business account — useful for ring-fencing VAT and tax reserves.
Related Guides
Starling Hub
- Starling Bank Hub — Complete Guide — All Starling guides in one place
- Starling Bank Review 2026 — Full personal account review and verdict
- Starling Fees — What Starling charges (and what’s free)
Starling Features
- Starling Business Account Review — Using Spaces for VAT and tax reserves in a business account
- Starling Cash Deposit — How to pay cash in via the Post Office
- Starling ATM Withdrawal Limit — Cash withdrawal allowances
- Starling Transfer Limit — How much you can send per day
- Starling Sort Code — Sort code, account number, and IBAN
- Starling Customer Service — How to get help
- Starling Gambling Block — How to block gambling transactions
Compare
- Monzo Pots Explained — How Monzo’s equivalent feature compares
- Monzo vs Starling vs Revolut — Full digital bank comparison