Best Referral Offers UK
Written by My Side Gig team · Updated 7 September 2026
☰What’s in this guide14 sectionsShowHide
- 1Current Best Referral Offers
- 2What Defines the ‘Best Offers’?
- 3What Are Refer-a-Friend Offers?
- 4How Much Money Can You Make?
- 5Where Can You Share Referral Links?
- 6Looking For More Referral Offers?
- 7FAQ’s
- 8Are referral offers legitimate?
- 9Do I need to pay tax on referral rewards?
- 10Why do companies pay referral bonuses?
- 11Can referral offers change?
- 12What does "Friend Needs" mean?
- 13Which referral offers are easiest to complete?
- 14Can I refer multiple people?
Find the best refer-a-friend offers in the UK with our live referral database, showing you exactly which links to send to friends and family to earn cash, bonuses, free shares and rewards.
Current Best Referral Offers
Find the 10 highest-paying referral offers in the UK, complete with bonuses, requirements and earning potential.
| Rank | Provider | Reward | Simplicity | Friend Needs | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | You: 5 Free Shares (£27.50+) Friend: 5 Free Shares (£27.50+) | Easy | Deposit £0.10+ | Full Guide | |
| 2 | You: £10 Cash Friend: £10 Cash | Easy | Just set a new Zopa account up | Full Guide | |
| 3 | You: £25 Cash Friend: £25 Cash | Easy | Open account & spend 10p+ | Full Guide | |
| 4 | You: £5 Credit Friend: £5 Credit | Easy | Verify & link debit card | Full Guide | |
| 5 | You: £5 Cash Friend: £5 Cash | Medium | Deposit £500 & wait until next day | Full Guide | |
| 6 | You: £30 Cash Friend: N/A | Easy | Open account & keep open 7 days | Full Guide | |
| 7 | You: £40 Cash Friend: £10 Cash | Medium | Add £30 & make 3 x £10 purchases | Full Guide | |
| 8 | Ribbon Rewards | You: £25 Voucher Friend: £25 Voucher | Medium | Pay rent through Ribbon | Full Guide |
| 9 | You: £10+ Cash Friend: £10+ Cash | Easy | Open account & make 1 purchase | Full Guide | |
| 10 | You: £5 Amazon Voucher Friend: £5 Amazon Voucher | Easy | Link bank account for 28 days | Full Guide | |
| 11 | You: £20 Credit Friend: £10 Credit | Easy | Open card & make 1 purchase | Full Guide | |
| 12 | You: Up to £90 Friend: No Referral Bonus | Easy | 3 friends sign up & make a deposit | Full Guide |
What Defines the ‘Best Offers’?
Our rankings are based on what we believe offers the best balance of reward versus effort. We look at factors such as the size of the bonus, how easy the account is to open, any deposit or spending requirements, how quickly rewards are paid, and how realistic the offer is for the average person to complete. We've personally worked through many of these offers ourselves and have written detailed step-by-step guides covering the requirements, common pitfalls and expected timelines. While everyone's circumstances are different, our aim is to highlight the referral schemes that provide the best combination of high rewards, low hassle and minimal upfront cost.
What Are Refer-a-Friend Offers?
Refer-a-friend offers reward existing customers for recommending products and services to friends, family and colleagues. When someone signs up using your referral link and completes the required steps, both of you may receive cash, free shares, vouchers, account credit or other rewards.
Many of the UK's biggest banks, investing apps, cashback platforms and fintech companies use referral schemes as a way to attract new customers. Instead of spending money on advertising, they reward their existing users for spreading the word.
How Much Money Can You Make?
The amount you can earn varies significantly between referral programmes. Some offers pay £5-£10 per referral, while others can pay £25, £50 or even more.
Many users simply refer a partner, family member or close friend and earn a few quick bonuses. Others build up larger earnings by regularly sharing referral opportunities with their network.
Where Can You Share Referral Links?
Most people start by sharing referral links with friends, family members, partners, colleagues and group chats. However, many referral schemes don't require you to know the person personally. Depending on the company's terms, you may also be able to share referral links on Facebook, X, Reddit, forums, WhatsApp communities and other social media platforms.
If you're looking to reach more people, we built Share My Link to help users share referral codes with thousands of other UK money savers. Many of the offers featured on My Side Gig also pull referral codes directly from Share My Link, making it easier for people to discover and use active referral links.
Looking For More Referral Offers?
The offers featured above are some of our favourites, but they're only a small selection of what's available. Many of the free money, cashback, investing, banking and app offers we feature on My Side Gig include referral bonuses, allowing you to earn even more once you've signed up yourself.
If you're looking for additional opportunities, it's worth browsing our Free Money section regularly. New referral schemes launch all the time, existing bonuses are frequently increased, and limited-time promotions can often provide some of the highest-paying opportunities available.
FAQ’s
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Are referral offers legitimate?
Yes. Referral schemes are offered directly by companies to encourage word-of-mouth marketing. Most major UK banks, investing apps and fintech companies operate referral programmes.
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Do I need to pay tax on referral rewards?
In most cases, occasional referral bonuses received as a consumer are not treated in the same way as employment income. However, tax treatment depends on your circumstances and referral activity. If you earn significant amounts, consider seeking professional tax advice.
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Why do companies pay referral bonuses?
Referral programmes are often cheaper than traditional advertising. Companies reward existing customers for introducing new users who may become long-term customers.
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Can referral offers change?
Yes. Companies regularly increase, decrease or withdraw referral bonuses. Requirements can also change, which is why we regularly update our guides and rankings.
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What does "Friend Needs" mean?
The Friend Needs column shows the main action your referral must complete before rewards are triggered. This could include opening an account, making a deposit, completing a purchase or setting up a direct debit.
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Which referral offers are easiest to complete?
Generally, the easiest offers require little or no deposit and only a simple action such as linking a bank account or making a small purchase. We highlight these offers with our Easy rating.
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Can I refer multiple people?
Most referral programmes allow multiple referrals, although limits often apply. Check the individual guide for details on referral caps and earning limits.
Ribbon Rewards