Answers · UK 2025/26
What is the ISA annual allowance?
The ISA annual allowance is £20,000 per tax year (6 April to 5 April) — you can split this across multiple ISA types, except you are limited to £4,000 in a Lifetime ISA (which counts toward the £20,000).
Full answer
The **ISA annual subscription limit** is **£20,000** per tax year (2026/27). This amount is per person (not per household) and must be used within the tax year — it cannot be carried forward. **ISA types and 2026/27 limits:** | ISA type | Max contribution | Notes | |---|---|---| | **Cash ISA** | Up to £20,000 | Available from age 16 | | **Stocks & Shares ISA** | Up to £20,000 | Any age 18+ | | **Innovative Finance ISA** | Up to £20,000 | Peer-to-peer lending | | **Lifetime ISA (LISA)** | **£4,000** (within £20k) | Age 18–39 to open; 25% bonus | | **Junior ISA (JISA)** | **£9,000** | Separate from adult allowance | **Key rule changes from April 2024:** From 6 April 2024, you can open and contribute to **multiple ISAs of the same type** in the same tax year (previously limited to one of each type). This allows you to rate-chase between Cash ISA providers mid-year. **Allowance is use-it-or-lose-it:** Unused ISA allowance cannot be carried into the next tax year. If you have £10,000 unused on 5 April, it is lost — you start fresh with £20,000 on 6 April. **How transfers work:** Transferring an existing ISA to a new provider does **not** use up your annual allowance — it is simply moving your protected pot. Current-year contributions transferred retain their ISA wrapper. **Lifetime ISA bonus:** The LISA pays a **25% government bonus** on up to £4,000/year (max £1,000 bonus/year). You can use the LISA to buy a first home (up to £450,000) or from age 60 for retirement — withdrawing for any other reason incurs a 25% penalty (which claws back more than the bonus).
Related guides
This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.