Am I eligible for a Countingup account?

Here’s an outline of businesses and industries we can and can’t support at this moment in time. If you meet this criteria, you can apply for a Countingup business bank account, but it doesn’t guarantee that we’ll be able to accept your application.

Eligibility

You can apply for an account if you’re:

  • a sole trader or the director of a limited company,
  • at least 18 years old, and
  • a UK resident
Business types we don’t support
  • Partnerships
  • Charities
  • Community Interest Company (CIC)
  • Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO)
  • Trusts
  • Company limited by guarantee/Private limited company by guarantee
Limited company accounts

To open a limited company account, your business needs to:

  • be registered as active with Companies House
  • be limited by shares
  • have up to two directors, including yourself (we’re currently unable to support businesses with more directors)
  • have all Persons of Significant Control be UK residents
  • have all shares held by individuals, and not by a holding company or another business
Industries we don’t support
  • Trading of weapons, explosives or armaments
  • Trading in cryptocurrencies & NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
  • Stock Market/Forex Trading
  • Money Service Businesses (such as foreign exchange, loan providers, money transfers)
  • Gambling and betting activities including but not limited to; casinos, prize draws, lotteries, competitions
  • Trading in precious metals and stones
  • Trading in bullion
  • Sale or trade of cannabidiol (CBD) products
  • Activities of religious organisations
  • Places of Worship
  • Activities of political parties/organisations
  • Social/Community Clubs
  • Not for Profit services
  • Escort services
  • Adult entertainment services
  • Regulated businesses where the applicant is unable to provide the licence required to operate
Additional requirements

Countingup is app-based and has no physical branches. To open and use your account, you need:

  • a smartphone with the Countingup app installed (minimum supported version iOS 13+ and Android 6+)
  • a UK mobile number
  • an email address
  • either a passport, driving licence or European ID card

‘Trading’ refers to all activities of the supply chain including sourcing, production/manufacturing, import/export, distribution, logistics, retail/wholesale and other associated activities.

How do I sign up?

  • Download the Countingup app
  • Share a few details about yourself and your business
  • Complete your application in a few minutes
  • Start accepting payments straight away
Sign up now
Countingup card and app