Every payment card has an expiry date. Once it passes, the card stops working — you won't be able to pay in a shop or withdraw cash from a cash machine. The good news is that your bank usually sends a new card automatically before the old one expires. Still, it's worth checking your card's expiry date yourself in your bank's app (a program on your phone or tablet that looks like a small icon — a picture — on the screen, and lets you manage your account without leaving home) and making sure everything is in order. This guide will show you, step by step, how to do that. Don't worry — you can't break anything in the banking app by tapping the wrong button.
- Open your bank's app on your phone — tap the icon (a small picture) with your bank's logo on your phone's home screen.
- Log in to the app — enter your app PIN (a short personal secret code made of numbers), or use your fingerprint or face recognition if you have that set up.
- Find the section called "Cards" on the app's main screen — it's usually a tab at the bottom of the screen or in a side menu, marked with a card-shaped icon.
- Tap your payment card to see its details.
- Find the expiry date on the card details screen — it's usually written as month/year, for example 08/27, meaning August 2027.
- Look for a button or link that says "Order new card," "Renew card," or "Replace card" — it's usually located below the card details or in a menu with three dots (⋮) next to the card.
- Tap that button to start ordering your new card.
- Check the address the new card will be sent to — the app usually shows the address saved with the bank and asks if it's still correct.
- Correct the address by typing the new one into the field provided, if it has changed (this only applies if you've moved house).
- Confirm the order for your new card by tapping the "Confirm" or "Order" button at the end of the form.
- Wait for your new card to arrive by post or courier at the address you gave — this usually takes a few days to about two weeks.
- Activate your new card once you receive it, by following the instructions in the app or in the letter that comes with the card — usually you tap "Activate card" in the app and set a new PIN.
What to do if something goes wrong
If you can't find an option to order a new card in the app, don't worry — it's not your fault. Call your bank's official helpline (the number is printed on the back of your card or on the bank's website) and ask for help. You can also visit your nearest branch.
If your new card hasn't arrived by the expected time, call the bank and ask about its delivery status. Don't wait too long — it's better to ask early than to be left without a working card.
If your old card stopped working before the new one arrived, don't panic. You can still use your account through the app (for example, to make a transfer) or withdraw cash at a branch by showing your ID.
Watch out for scammers. Card renewal is a common excuse scammers use. They may call and say: "I'm calling from the bank, your new card is ready, please just give me the code from the text message to activate it." That is a scam call. A bank never asks for a text-message code, card number, PIN, or password over the phone. If someone asks for this — hang up and call the bank yourself, using the number printed on your card or on the bank's official website.