NatWest Rooster Money Card
ATM and Cash
Topups
Overall
Two things parents want: control and confidence. Rooster gives kids aged 6 to 17 a prepaid Visa debit card and money app, while parents set limits, choose where it works, and get instant alerts. NatWest Group customers can get up to three Rooster Card subscriptions free.
Fees and FX
ATM and Cash
Topups
Overall
Initial Viewpoint
Best for families who want strong parental controls, simple budgeting pots, and a low-cost way to give spending independence. Not ideal if you want unlimited fee-free foreign currency spend or if your child is under 6 and needs only virtual pocket-money tracking.
Highlights
- Ages 6–17 with parent controls on stores, cash machines, tap to pay, and abroad.
- Subscription £1.99 per month or £19.99 per year for non-NatWest customers. Free for up to three cards if you bank with NatWest Group and link accounts.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay from age 13.
Cautions
- Foreign currency spend is free up to £50 per month, then 3% of the amount over £50. Some foreign ATMs may surcharge.
- Card is an e-money prepaid debit card using NatWest’s e-money permissions, so safeguarded not FSCS-deposit; it is not a credit card.
Overview
What it is
A prepaid Visa debit card for children, connected to their Spend pot in the Rooster Money app, with parent-set controls, limits and instant alerts. Works in shops, online, at cash machines, and abroad when enabled.
Who it's for
UK families that want easy allowances, chores and savings pots, plus card controls and real-time visibility.
Key Facts
Issuer:
National Westminster Bank plc. Network: Visa. Authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA.
Age:
6–17 for the card. Under-6s can use the free app without a card.
Plan price:
£1.99 per month or £19.99 per year; NatWest Group customers get up to 3 free card subscriptions while eligible.
Apple Pay/Google Pay:
Available from age 13.
Where it works:
Shops, online, ATMs, and abroad; not accepted at over-18s merchant categories such as betting shops and off-licences.
Pricing & Fees
Fee Type
Amount
Notes
Monthly plan
£1.99
Or £19.99 per year for non-NatWest customers.
NatWest Group customer offer
£0
Up to three card subscriptions free while eligible.
UK purchases
Free
Subject to fair usage limits.
UK ATM withdrawals
Free
Some ATMs may surcharge.
Foreign currency spend
Free up to £50 per month
Then 3% above £50 in the month.
International ATM withdrawals
Free*
*Subject to fair usage and any ATM surcharges.
Custom card design
£4.99
One-off optional.
Card replacement
Free
Per current pricing page.
FX & ATM Details
FX conversion
Enable “spending abroad” in card settings. Spend up to £50 per month fee-free, then 3% on the excess. Some ATMs add their own fee.
ATM usage
International shops and ATMs are shown as Free on the pricing page but are subject to fair usage caps.
Topups & Payments
Method
Fee or Limit
Notes
Debit card top-up in app
Free
Quick loads to the Parent Account.
Bank transfer (Faster Payments or BACS)
Free
Account details provided in app.
Top-up via NatWest app tile
Free
After linking accounts.
Transfer out to UK bank
Free
Next business day timing.
Applying for the NatWest Rooster Money Card
Eligibility and the NatWest free offer
You must be a NatWest Group customer, over 18, a UK resident and registered for Mobile or Online Banking to get up to three free card subscriptions. Kids must be aged 6 to 17.
Steps to apply
1. Download and sign up to the NatWest Rooster Money app. Add your child’s details.
2. Start the 30-day trial and link your NatWest account in the app to activate the free subscription while eligible.
3. Order the card from the app: Home → Menu → Rooster Card → select child → Order Card.
4. Delivery and activation: Cards are sent First Class and typically arrive in 2 to 5 working days, then activate in app.
What ID is needed
Standard KYC checks for the parent or guardian. If identity or address cannot be confirmed electronically, you may be asked for documents such as a passport or a bank statement.
Limits & KYC
Topic
Detail
Parent Account max balance
£10,000. Includes all linked cards.
Parent Account loads per day
Three. Loads are free within fair usage.
Parent Account loads per month
10. Subsequent loads may incur 50p per load per archived pricing PDFs.
Daily load to Parent Account
£1,000. Subject to fair usage.
Minimum load
£2
Transfer out to UK bank
Free. Usually by end of next business day. 24-hour hold if just loaded.
Card daily ATM withdrawal
£200. Up to 10 ATM withdrawals in 7 days.
Max card spend in a day
£1,000 per card.
Contactless spending limit
£45. SCA resets apply.
Over-18 merchant codes
Blocked. Not accepted at over-18s categories.
Apple Pay and Google Pay
13+ – Age verification required.
KYC
Required. ID and address checks for parent or guardian. Not a credit check.
App & Features
Feature
Detail
Spend controls
Toggle in-store, online, ATM and abroad. Set daily, weekly or monthly limits. Real-time alerts.
Pots and goals
Spend, Save and Goals to build habits.
Chores and allowance
Chore tracking and weekly allowance tools in app.
Wallets
Apple Pay and Google Pay available from age 13 with proof of age.
Instant top-ups
Top up Parent Account by card, bank transfer or via the NatWest app tile.
Contactless reset
In-app contactless counter reset to avoid declines after limits are hit.
Merchant blocking
Not accepted at over-18s merchant categories.
Who It's For
Best for
Families who want granular controls, instant alerts and a low total cost if they qualify for the NatWest free offer.
Not ideal for
Heavy foreign currency use beyond £50 per month free allowance, or those who prefer a youth current account with FSCS deposits.
Pros & Cons
Pros
-
Strong parental controls, alerts and pots.
-
Free subscription for up to three cards if you are an eligible NatWest customer.
-
UK purchases and ATMs shown as free on the pricing page.
Cons
-
Foreign currency spend free only to £50 per month, then 3 percent.
-
E-money prepaid product, not a bank account. Funds are safeguarded, not FSCS deposits.
How It Compares
At a glance: A kids prepaid Visa for ages 6 to 17 with strong parental controls, savings pots and real-time alerts. Up to three cards can be free for eligible NatWest customers. Great for UK everyday use and teaching money skills. Less suited to heavy overseas spend because foreign currency is free only up to £50 per month then 3 percent. Apple Pay and Google Pay from 13.
Feature
Rooster Card
Typical Youth Bank Account
Other Prepaid Card
Annual or monthly fee
£1.99 per month or £19.99 per year for non-NatWest customers. Free for up to three cards if the parent banks with NatWest Group
Usually free monthly fee
Varies. GoHenry from £3.99 per month. HyperJar no monthly fee for active use and £4.99 one-off per card
Card purchases
ATM fee
Free from Rooster side. Some machines may charge their own fee
Usually free from bank side. Some machines may charge
Varies. Examples: GoHenry states no ATM fee from GoHenry but ATMs may surcharge
FX fee
Free up to £50 in foreign currencies each month then 3 percent
Varies by bank. Many apply standard debit card FX rules
Varies. Some are fee-free abroad, others charge FX markups or plan-tier fees
Alternatives to Consider
GoHenry
Families who want learning content and fine-grained controls
Starling Kite
Households already with Starling who want a bank-account-backed option
HyperJar Kids
Families who want strong budgeting and travel spend without FX fees and do not need ATM cash
Ratings
Category
Score 1 to 5
Weight
Notes
Fees and value
Excellent value if eligible for the NatWest free offer.
ATM and FX
UK ATM free. Abroad free to £50 per month then 3 percent.
Controls and features
Granular controls, pots, alerts, Apple and Google Pay at 13.
Top-ups and funding
Multiple free load routes including app tile and bank transfer.
Support and trust
Issued by NatWest Bank plc. PRA and FCA regulated.
Compliance & Methodology
Regulatory
Rooster Card is issued by National Westminster Bank plc pursuant to a licence from Visa Europe. NatWest is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and PRA.
Data sources
NatWest kids debit card page and Support Centre; Rooster Money pricing, fees and limits; Apple Pay and Google Pay setup; ordering and delivery help. Checked 7 Nov 2025.
Editorial policy
Independent, fact‑checked comparison. Click here for editorial guidelines.
Compare NatWest Rooster Money Card
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