Brexit Guidance and Help
We're here to support you
We understand you might want to know if Brexit affects the products you hold with us. Not all products are impacted so we’ve set out some of the main questions and answers below. And, as the Brexit situation has not yet been fully resolved, we’ll keep this page up to date as things change.
General Questions
Is there any impact to my Sainsbury’s Bank products and services following Brexit?
This depends on the product, or products, you hold with us. Please refer to the relevant product section below to find out more.
Will I still be able to bank online and access the mobile app when travelling in Europe?
Yes, our online servicing and mobile app will not be affected by Brexit.
Will EU citizens living and working in the UK still be able to apply for a Sainsbury's Bank product?
Yes, if you are an EU citizen and you permanently live in the UK you will still be able to apply for a Sainsbury's Bank product after Brexit, subject to our application process and affordability assessment.
Is the way in which I can complain changing?
No, our complaints handling processes will remain the same. If you need to make a complaint, you can find all the instructions on what you need to do and where you need to send your complaint on our website at ‘How to Complain’. Remember you can also send us a secure message detailing your complaint if you have access to Online Banking.
If you have used the Online Dispute Resolution Platform to raise a complaint, from the 1st January 2021 this will no longer be available for UK citizens due to the UK transition period from the EU ending. Please continue to use the complaints processes detailed on our 'how to complain' page on our website.
Credit Cards
Will I still be able to use my credit card in the EU or abroad?
Yes, you’ll still be able to use your credit card anywhere Mastercard or Visa are accepted.
Can I keep my credit card if I leave the UK?
Yes, you can keep your credit card. However once your existing card expires we won’t issue a new one and the balance will need to be repaid. The only exception to this would be if you were to move to a sanctioned country – in which case, we’d have to cancel your credit card immediately.
Will there be any increases to my credit card APR or fees due to Brexit?
We don’t expect changes to your existing APR and fees as a result of Brexit. We review all of our rates and fees on a regular basis. If we do decide to increase or lower any of our charges, we’ll always let you know beforehand.
Savings
I am an EU citizen living in the UK. Will I still be able to keep my savings account after Brexit?
Yes, your account can remain open and there won’t be any changes to the way your savings account works. If we do need to make a change, we’ll always let you know beforehand.
Is the money in my savings accounts still protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?
Yes, your eligible deposits with Sainsbury's Bank will continue to be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) with a limit of protection of £85,000 per depositor. This limit will be applied to the total of all your accounts held with Sainsbury's Bank. Any deposits you have in excess of £85,000 are unlikely to be protected. In some specific cases, deposits may be excluded from the FSCS protection scheme. The FSCS information sheet and exclusions list (PDF, 145KB) 
provides further details on FSCS protection and the exclusions which may apply. More information about the compensation provided by the FSCS can be found on the FSCS website at www.FSCS.org.uk , and in the FSCS leaflet (PDF, 351KB) .
Can I open a savings account if I'm a UK citizen living in the EU?
Our savings accounts are only available to UK residents, unless you are a Crown employee (or their partner) and you're looking to open an ISA. You must let us know if you are no longer resident in the UK. If this happens, we will ask you to close your savings account.
Loans
Will Brexit mean any changes to my loan agreement with Sainsbury’s Bank?
There will be no impact to you as our loans are only available to UK residents and any direct debit must be from a UK Bank.
Mortgages
Will Brexit mean any changes to my mortgage with Sainsbury’s Bank?
There are no changes to your mortgage account and the way that your account works. We will continue to provide you with the same service as we do today.
I am an existing mortgage customer and I am looking to move / have moved outside of the UK, but still keeping my UK property. Can I still keep my mortgage open with you?
Our mortgages are open to UK Residents only, however in line with your Terms & Conditions, you can apply for a Consent to Let or if you are looking to keep your mortgaged property as your main UK residence please call us on either:
From the UK on 0345 111 8020; or
- From outside the UK on +44 (0)1756 776 395
Our lines are open Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday 9am – 1pm. Calls are charged at local rates from landlines and mobiles.
I am looking to add a party to my existing mortgage who is a non UK resident/National, can I do this?
You may be able to apply to add someone else onto your mortgage. This will be subject to an assessment and if you’d like to discuss this further please contact us on:
From the UK on 0345 111 8020; or
- From outside the UK on +44 (0)1756 776 395
Our lines are open Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm and Saturday 9am – 1pm. Calls are charged at local rates from landlines and mobiles.
Car Insurance
How does Brexit affect my car insurance?
If you plan to take your car while travelling in the EU/EE (including Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia and Switzerland) AFTER the 2nd of August 2021 you no longer need a Green Card. FROM the 2nd of August 2021 the UK once again participates in the Green Card Free Circulation Area (GCFCA), which is made up all 30 European Economic Area (EEA) countries as well as Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia and Switzerland.
Travel Insurance
What if I postpone my trip?
If your travel agent/tour operator allows you to postpone your trip, we will not cover any additional costs you might incur but if you have taken out Single Trip insurance cover we do allow you to transfer your cover to the new trip, provided this starts within 6 months of the original trip start date.
What if I rearrange my trip?
If you rearrange your trip we will not cover any additional costs you might incur but if you have taken out Single Trip insurance cover we do allow you to transfer your cover to the new trip, provided this starts within 6 months of the original trip start date. If there are any significant differences, such as a longer duration, a change of destination or extra people to be covered on the policy then you should contact us to let us know and you may be charged an additional premium.
My trip isn’t for a while, but I’m worried what might happen with Brexit disruption on or after 1st January. Can I cancel it?
Unfortunately your insurance does not cover you if you cancel your trip simply because you are disinclined to travel due to a fear of disruption.
Pet Insurance
As the impact of Brexit on the Pet Travel Scheme has not yet been fully announced by the UK Government, if you are proposing to travel to Europe with a pet, we suggest that you contact your travel agent/tour operator or check on the gov.uk website without delay, for information about any changes. As soon as we receive information about how Brexit may impact the cover available when travelling with a pet, we will update this page.
Travel Money
Will I still be able to make and receive international payments at the bureau with Western Union?
Yes, there will be no change to the service available at the bureau when it is open.