How to Close Your Revolut Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Revolut has become a popular choice for individuals seeking convenient and cost-effective international money transfers, currency exchange, and everyday banking services. However, there might come a time when you decide to close your Revolut account. Whether you’ve found a better alternative, no longer need the service, or are simply streamlining your finances, it’s essential to know the proper procedure for closing your account to avoid any future complications. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough on how to close your Revolut account securely and efficiently.

Before You Begin: Important Considerations

Before initiating the account closure process, there are several crucial steps you should take to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.

1. Spend or Transfer Remaining Funds

The most important step is to empty your Revolut account. Revolut requires you to have a zero balance before you can initiate the closure. Here’s how to do it:

* **Spend Your Balance:** Use your Revolut card to make purchases online or in physical stores until your balance reaches zero. This is often the simplest and quickest method.
* **Transfer to Another Account:** Transfer the remaining funds to another bank account you own. Within the Revolut app:
* Go to the ‘Accounts’ tab.
* Select the currency account containing the funds.
* Tap ‘Send’.
* Choose ‘Add a new beneficiary’.
* Enter the details of your other bank account (account number, sort code/routing number, etc.).
* Enter the amount you want to transfer.
* Review the details and confirm the transfer.
* **Withdraw Cash:** If you prefer cash, you can withdraw funds from an ATM using your Revolut card. Be mindful of any withdrawal limits and associated fees. Check Revolut’s fee schedule for details. You can view your limits within the app, usually under ‘Profile’ -> ‘Plan’ -> ‘Withdrawal limits’.
* **Donate to Charity:** If you have a very small amount remaining, consider donating it to a charity. This can be a practical solution for dealing with residual amounts.

**Important:** Ensure that all pending transactions are cleared before attempting to transfer or withdraw your funds. Pending transactions can affect your available balance.

2. Cancel Recurring Payments and Subscriptions

Review your Revolut account for any recurring payments or subscriptions linked to your Revolut card or account. These could include:

* **Streaming Services:** Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, etc.
* **Software Subscriptions:** Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, etc.
* **Gym Memberships:** Recurring payments to your gym.
* **Other Online Services:** Any other service that charges your Revolut card regularly.

To cancel these subscriptions, you have two main options:

* **Cancel Directly with the Merchant:** Log in to each service individually and update your payment information or cancel your subscription. This is the preferred method as it ensures the subscription is properly terminated.
* **Cancel via Revolut (Less Reliable):** While you can technically block payments in the Revolut app, this is not a guaranteed way to cancel a subscription. It only prevents future payments from being processed. The service provider might still try to charge you, and your account could fall into arrears.
* Go to the ‘Cards’ tab.
* Select the relevant Revolut card.
* Tap on the transaction for the recurring payment.
* Block future payments to that merchant (option may vary depending on the specific transaction).

**Recommendation:** Always cancel subscriptions directly with the merchant for a definitive cancellation.

3. Resolve Any Outstanding Issues or Disputes

Before closing your account, address any outstanding issues or disputes you might have with Revolut. This includes:

* **Pending Transactions:** Ensure all transactions are fully processed and cleared.
* **Unresolved Disputes:** If you have any ongoing disputes with merchants or Revolut, resolve them before closing your account. Contact Revolut support to address these issues.
* **Tax Reporting:** If you used Revolut for business purposes, ensure you have downloaded all necessary transaction records for tax reporting purposes.

Closing your account with unresolved issues could complicate matters later on. Resolve everything beforehand to avoid potential headaches.

4. Download Your Transaction History

Once your account is closed, you might not be able to access your transaction history. Therefore, it’s crucial to download your transaction history for your records. Here’s how to do it:

* **In the Revolut App:**
* Go to the ‘Accounts’ tab.
* Select the currency account for which you want to download the history.
* Tap on the three dots (…) in the top right corner.
* Select ‘Statements’.
* Choose the date range for the statement (e.g., last month, last year, custom range).
* Select the file format (e.g., PDF, CSV).
* Tap ‘Generate’.
* The statement will be generated and available for download.
* **Repeat for All Currency Accounts:** If you have multiple currency accounts, repeat this process for each one to ensure you have a complete record of all transactions.

Store these files securely as they might be needed for accounting, tax, or other financial purposes.

5. Consider Upgrading (or Downgrading) Your Plan First

Sometimes, the reason for closing your Revolut account might be dissatisfaction with your current plan’s features or fees. Before completely closing your account, consider whether upgrading or downgrading your plan could address your concerns.

* **Upgrading:** If you need more features, higher limits, or additional benefits, explore Revolut’s premium plans (e.g., Premium, Metal, Ultra). These plans offer various perks, such as higher interest rates, travel insurance, and exclusive discounts.
* **Downgrading:** If you’re paying for a plan you no longer need, downgrading to the Standard plan can save you money. Keep in mind that downgrading might reduce your access to certain features and increase transaction fees.

To change your plan:

* Go to the ‘Profile’ tab.
* Select ‘Your plan’.
* Browse the available plans and choose the one that best suits your needs.

If changing your plan doesn’t resolve your issues, then proceeding with account closure is the next step.

Step-by-Step Guide to Closing Your Revolut Account

Once you’ve completed the preliminary steps, you can proceed with closing your Revolut account. The process is relatively straightforward, but it’s essential to follow the instructions carefully.

Step 1: Contact Revolut Support

Currently, Revolut doesn’t offer a direct “close account” button within the app. The primary method for closing your account is by contacting Revolut support through the in-app chat.

* **Open the Revolut App:** Launch the Revolut app on your smartphone.
* **Navigate to the ‘Help’ Section:**
* Tap on your profile icon (usually in the top left corner).
* Scroll down and select ‘Help’.
* **Start a New Chat:**
* Tap on ‘New chat’.
* **Explain Your Request:** In the chat window, clearly state that you want to close your Revolut account. For example:
* “I would like to close my Revolut account permanently.”
* **Provide Necessary Information:** The support agent might ask you to confirm your identity or provide additional information about your account. Be prepared to answer their questions accurately.

Step 2: Follow the Instructions from Support

The Revolut support agent will guide you through the account closure process. They might ask you to confirm that you’ve taken the necessary steps, such as:

* **Zero Balance:** Confirm that your account balance is zero.
* **Cancelled Subscriptions:** Confirm that you’ve cancelled all recurring payments and subscriptions linked to your account.
* **Downloaded Transaction History:** Confirm that you’ve downloaded your transaction history.

Follow the agent’s instructions carefully and answer any questions they might have.

Step 3: Confirm Account Closure

After you’ve followed the support agent’s instructions, they will initiate the account closure process. You should receive a confirmation message in the chat once your account has been successfully closed. This message might state something like:

* “Your Revolut account has been successfully closed.”

**Important:** Keep a record of this confirmation message as proof that your account has been closed.

Alternative Method: Email Support (If Chat is Unavailable)

In rare cases, the in-app chat might be temporarily unavailable. If this happens, you can try contacting Revolut support via email. However, be aware that this method might take longer to receive a response.

* **Find Revolut’s Support Email:** The email address for Revolut support can usually be found on their website or in their help center. It’s often something like `[email protected]` or `[email protected]`. Double-check the official Revolut website for the most up-to-date email address.
* **Compose Your Email:**
* **Subject:** Account Closure Request
* **Body:** Clearly state that you want to close your Revolut account. Provide your account details (e.g., phone number, email address) for identification purposes. Confirm that you’ve taken the necessary steps (zero balance, cancelled subscriptions, downloaded history). Request confirmation once your account has been closed.
* **Send the Email:** Send the email to Revolut support and wait for a response.

Be patient, as email responses can take longer than in-app chat responses.

What Happens After You Close Your Revolut Account?

Once your Revolut account is closed, there are a few things you should be aware of:

1. Account Access is Revoked

You will no longer be able to access your Revolut account through the app or website. Your login credentials will be deactivated.

2. Card is Deactivated

Your Revolut card will be deactivated and can no longer be used for transactions. If you have a physical card, it’s recommended to destroy it to prevent misuse.

3. Data Retention

Revolut is required to retain your data for a certain period after you close your account to comply with legal and regulatory requirements. This data might include your transaction history, personal information, and account details. Revolut’s privacy policy outlines their data retention practices.

4. Reopening Your Account

In some cases, you might be able to reopen your Revolut account in the future. However, this is not always guaranteed and might depend on the reason for your initial account closure. Contact Revolut support to inquire about reopening your account.

5. Receiving Payments After Closure

If someone attempts to send you money to your closed Revolut account, the payment will likely be rejected and returned to the sender. Inform anyone who might be sending you money regularly to update their payment information.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While closing your Revolut account is generally a straightforward process, you might encounter some common issues.

1. Difficulty Contacting Support

If you’re having trouble contacting Revolut support through the in-app chat, try these steps:

* **Check Your Internet Connection:** Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
* **Restart the App:** Close and reopen the Revolut app.
* **Try Again Later:** The chat might be temporarily busy. Try contacting support again after a few hours.
* **Use Email Support:** If the chat is consistently unavailable, resort to email support as a backup option.

2. Account Closure Delayed

If your account closure is taking longer than expected, follow up with Revolut support. Inquire about the status of your request and provide any additional information they might need.

3. Unable to Empty Account Balance

If you’re having trouble emptying your account balance to zero, try these solutions:

* **Small Residual Amounts:** If you have a very small amount remaining (e.g., a few cents), contact Revolut support. They might be able to manually zero out your balance.
* **Minimum Transfer Amounts:** Some banks have minimum transfer amounts. Ensure that your transfer amount meets the minimum requirement.
* **Card Payments:** Use your Revolut card for small purchases to gradually reduce your balance.

4. Concerns About Data Privacy

If you have concerns about how Revolut handles your data after account closure, review their privacy policy. You can also contact Revolut’s data protection officer (DPO) for more information.

Alternatives to Closing Your Account

Before making the final decision to close your Revolut account, consider whether there are alternative solutions that might better suit your needs.

1. Pausing Your Account

Revolut might offer the option to temporarily pause your account instead of permanently closing it. This can be useful if you anticipate needing the account again in the future but don’t require it at the moment.

* **Check Revolut’s Help Center:** Search for information about “pausing account” or “freezing account” in Revolut’s help center.
* **Contact Support:** Contact Revolut support to inquire about the availability of this option.

2. Downgrading Your Plan

If you’re closing your account due to high fees or unwanted features, downgrading to a cheaper plan might be a better solution. The Standard plan is usually free and offers basic functionality.

3. Using a Different Currency Account

If you only need Revolut for specific currency transactions, consider closing the currency accounts you don’t need and keeping the ones you use regularly.

Conclusion

Closing your Revolut account is a straightforward process that can be completed relatively quickly by contacting Revolut support. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free account closure experience. Remember to empty your account balance, cancel recurring payments, download your transaction history, and resolve any outstanding issues before initiating the closure process. Keep a record of the confirmation message as proof that your account has been closed. By taking these precautions, you can avoid potential complications and ensure a clean break from Revolut’s services.

This comprehensive guide provides all the information you need to successfully close your Revolut account and manage your finances effectively. If you encounter any issues during the process, don’t hesitate to contact Revolut support for assistance.