UK Credit Card Statistics 2026: Usage, Debt & Trends

Key Insights (2026)

• 61.2 million credit cards are in issue in the UK, held by 33.1 million adults (~62% of adults).
• Outstanding UK credit card debt stands at £68.4 billion, of which £35.2 billion accrues interest.
• The average APR is 24.7% — up from 21.5% in 2022 — and 51% of cardholders still clear their balance in full each month.
• Credit card spending hit £224 billion in 2025 (+6.4% year-over-year), with 58% of value spent online.
• There are around 4.8 million business credit cards in the UK, averaging £2,400 of spend per card per month.

Credit cards remain a cornerstone of UK consumer spending, with over 60 million cards in circulation. The statistics below, current for 2026, show how Brits are using — and managing — their credit, and what it means for businesses accepting card payments.

Credit Cards at a Glance

• There are 61.2 million credit cards in issue in the UK (UK Finance).
• Total outstanding UK credit card debt: £68.4 billion, with £35.2 billion accruing interest.
• 33.1 million adults in the UK hold at least one credit card — roughly 62% of the adult population.
• Average credit card balance per cardholder: £1,118.
• Credit card spending reached £224 billion in 2025, a 6.4% increase year-over-year.

Spending Patterns

• The average UK credit card transaction is £52 (up from £47 in 2022).
• Online purchases account for 58% of all credit card spending by value.
• Contactless credit card payments grew by 18% year-over-year, with 82% of in-store credit card transactions now contactless.
• The top spending categories by value: retail (32%), travel & transport (18%), food & drink (15%), and services (12%).

Interest Rates & Costs

• Average credit card APR: 24.7% (Bank of England), up from 21.5% in 2022.
• 51% of credit card holders pay their balance in full each month and pay no interest.
• UK consumers paid £6.1 billion in credit card interest charges in 2025.
• The longest 0% purchase credit card offers 24 months interest-free (as of April 2026).
• Balance transfer cards offer up to 29 months at 0%, with typical fees of 2.5–3.5%.

Business Credit Cards

• There are approximately 4.8 million business credit cards in the UK.
• Average business credit card spend: £2,400/month per card.
• 68% of SMEs use a business credit card for day-to-day expenses.
• Cashback business cards (Capital on Tap, Funding Circle) have seen 45% growth in applications year-over-year.
• The most popular business card benefit is cashback (chosen by 54%), followed by travel rewards (22%) and purchase protection (14%).

Fraud & Security

• Credit card fraud losses in the UK: £388 million in 2024 (UK Finance).
• 3D Secure authentication is now used on 89% of online credit card transactions.
• Contactless fraud accounts for just 2.5% of total card fraud — it remains one of the safest payment methods.

What This Means for Businesses

With credit cards accounting for a significant share of consumer spending, businesses that accept credit cards — and offer a smooth checkout experience — capture more revenue. The growth in contactless and online credit card usage means your payment setup needs to support both seamlessly.

Compare business credit cards, explore 0% interest business cards and startup-friendly cards, or get a free payment processing quote.