Starling Bank’s Faster Payment limit is up to £250,000 per transaction — one of the highest of any UK digital bank and significantly above Monzo’s default £10,000. Starling also offers CHAPS for transfers above £250,000 or when same-day guaranteed settlement is required.
For most UK bank transfers — paying rent, buying a car, sending money to family — Starling’s limits are more than adequate. This page is part of the Starling Bank UK complete guide, which covers all Starling features, fees, limits, and account types.
Starling Transfer Limits — Key Facts
| Transfer type | Limit | Fee | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faster Payments | Up to £250,000 per transaction | Free | Seconds, 24/7 |
| CHAPS | No practical upper limit | £25 per payment | Same working day |
| International | Not available directly | — | — |
| Standing orders | Subject to Faster Payments rules | Free | As scheduled |
| Direct debits | Set by the company taking the payment | Free | As scheduled |
Faster Payments — Up to £250,000
Starling processes personal account payments via the Faster Payments scheme, the UK’s standard payment rail for everyday bank transfers.
The £250,000 per transaction limit is exceptionally high by digital bank standards:
| Bank | Faster Payment limit |
|---|---|
| Starling | Up to £250,000 |
| Chase UK | £25,000 |
| Monzo | £10,000 (default) |
| Nationwide | £100,000 |
| Barclays | £50,000–£250,000 (varies by account) |
Faster Payments arrive within seconds in most cases, at any time of day, any day of the year. There is no fee. For a full breakdown of what Starling charges across all features, see Starling ATM Withdrawal Limit and the Starling Bank Review 2026.
CHAPS — For Very Large Transfers
Starling supports CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System) for transfers that exceed £250,000 or where the recipient bank requires a CHAPS payment.
| Detail | CHAPS |
|---|---|
| Minimum amount | Any amount |
| Upper limit | None |
| Fee | £25 per payment |
| Speed | Same working day (if submitted before 3pm) |
| Availability | Monday–Friday, banking hours |
CHAPS is typically used for:
- Property completions — solicitors require CHAPS for the final payment on a house purchase
- Very large business payments — above the Faster Payments limit
- Time-critical high-value transfers where same-day guaranteed delivery is required
Practical example: Completing on a £425,000 property purchase with a £100,000 deposit? Send via CHAPS to your solicitor’s account. Cost: £25. Arrives: same working day.
International Transfers
Starling does not currently offer international bank transfers (sending to overseas accounts) directly within the app for personal accounts. Options if you need to send money abroad:
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) — competitive rates, low fixed fees, fast delivery
- Revolut — integrated currency exchange and international transfers to 160+ countries
- Your recipient’s local bank — they send their UK clearing account details and you pay via Faster Payments
Receiving international payments into a Starling account is possible — provide your IBAN and SWIFT/BIC details, available in the app under Account details.
Your Daily Sending Limit
Starling sets a default daily sending limit, visible in the app under Payments or Account settings. This may be different from the per-transaction maximum.
If you need to send more than your current daily limit:
- Open in-app chat
- Tell Starling you need a temporary increase for a specific payment
- Starling may request evidence (e.g. a solicitor letter for a property purchase)
- Once approved, limits are adjusted — usually same day
Starling vs Monzo vs Chase — Transfer Comparison
| Bank | Per-payment limit | CHAPS | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starling | £250,000 | ✅ Yes (£25) | ❌ No (use Wise) |
| Monzo | £10,000 (default) | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Chase UK | £25,000 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Starling’s £250,000 limit and CHAPS availability make it the strongest digital bank option for large transfers — relevant for anyone buying a property, moving pension funds, or making large business payments.