Best business credit cards UK 2026

The cheapest UK business credit cards to hold are Barclaycard Select Cashback and Capital on Tap’s Free plan, which both have no annual fee; the right card for you depends on your business structure, your bank and how much you spend abroad. This page compares cards from Barclaycard, Capital on Tap and NatWest using each provider’s own pages, checked on 6 November 2026. Cards are listed by annual fee, lowest first, and we do not rank or rate them.

How do the main business credit cards compare on cost?

Annual fees run from £0 to £299, and representative APRs from about 24% to 29% where providers publish one.

Capital on Tap does not publish a representative APR; it says rates start “as low as 14.13% APR (variable)” and depend on your personal and business credit history. NatWest’s £30 fee does not apply in the first year and is waived from year two if that card spends £6,000 or more a year.

How do rewards and foreign fees compare?

Cashback and foreign transaction fees often matter more than the headline APR if you clear the balance monthly.

Cash withdrawals cost 3% (minimum £3) on both Barclaycard Select Cashback and the NatWest Business Credit Card. Capital on Tap lists no ATM fee but caps cash at £400 a day.

Who can apply for each card?

Eligibility depends mainly on your legal structure, turnover and whether you already bank with the issuer.

• Barclaycard Select Cashback: UK business owners or directors aged 18 or over, with turnover (or a new business plan) between £10,000 and £6.5 million a year. The page does not require a Barclays account and does not exclude sole traders.
• Capital on Tap: limited companies, LLPs and PLCs active at Companies House, applied for by a UK director or 25%+ shareholder. No sole traders, no unsatisfied CCJs in the last 12 months, and a business bank account is needed. There is no minimum trading period.
• NatWest Business Credit Card: existing NatWest business customers with turnover up to £2 million, applied for by a director, with the account in the same legal entity name.
• NatWest Business Plus: NatWest business account customers who are UK resident and 18 or over.

We could not load American Express or Lloyds Bank business card pages on 6 November 2026, so they are not included here.

Which applies to you?

Match your situation to the card features that fit it.

• If you are a sole trader, Capital on Tap is not open to you; Barclaycard Select Cashback does not exclude sole traders.
• If you already bank with NatWest and turnover is under £2 million, the NatWest Business Credit Card is available, and free if each card spends £6,000 a year.
• If you spend abroad often, compare the cards with no foreign transaction fee: Capital on Tap and NatWest Business Plus.
• If you spend under £2,000 a month, Barclaycard Select Cashback pays no cashback that month.
• If you might carry a balance, compare representative APRs, and consider whether a business overdraft or loan would cost less.

Do business credit cards have Section 75 protection?

Usually not when the card belongs to a limited company. Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes a card issuer jointly liable for single items priced over £100 and up to £30,000. In Financial Ombudsman decision DRN-5126503 (November 2024), the investigator agreed Section 75 “wasn’t available” to a limited company because it is “not covered by the Consumer Credit Act”. You may still ask for a chargeback under card scheme rules, but a refund is not guaranteed.

What to check before you apply

Run through this checklist before applying.

1. Read who is liable. Some business cards make the director personally liable for the debt. Read the terms and our guide to personal guarantees.
2. Check the fee per cardholder. NatWest charges per card, so staff cards add cost.
3. Set up a direct debit for the full balance to keep up to 56 days interest-free.
4. Keep business and personal spending apart. Personal spending on a company card goes through the director’s loan account.
5. Compare other finance. Our guide to types of business finance covers loans, overdrafts and asset finance.

Frequently asked questions

Which business credit cards have no annual fee?

Barclaycard Select Cashback and Capital on Tap’s Free plan have no annual fee. The NatWest Business Credit Card is free in its first year and from then on if each card spends £6,000 or more a year.

Can a sole trader get a business credit card?

Yes. Barclaycard Select Cashback does not exclude sole traders, while Capital on Tap accepts only limited companies, LLPs and PLCs.

Does a business credit card affect my personal credit score?

Providers check personal credit history; Capital on Tap says your rate depends on both personal and business history. How the card reports afterwards depends on the issuer, so check its terms.

Is interest on a business credit card tax deductible?

Interest on borrowing used wholly for business purposes is generally an allowable business cost. Personal spending on the card is not, and must be repaid or recorded through the director’s loan account.

What is the difference between a business credit card and a charge card?

A charge card, such as the Barclaycard Select charge card at £42 a year, must be paid in full every month. A credit card lets you carry a balance and pay interest on it.