16 Mar 2026

When does the new ISA year start?

Each new ISA year starts on 6 April. It then runs until 5 April on the next year. So for example the 2026 to 2027 ISA year starts on Monday 6 April 2026 and runs until Monday 5 April 2027. That matches the tax year, which runs over the same time period.

What do I need to know for the new ISA year?

When each new ISA tax year begins your ISA tax allowance resets. During that year you can put up to £20,000 into one or more ISAs. But do bear in mind that some ISAs have limits on the amount of cash you can put into them. You can only save:

up to £4,000 into a Lifetime ISA
up to £9,000 into a Junior ISA
from 6 April 2027 up to £12,000 into a cash ISA

For more details on changes to your ISA allowance, check out our Autumn Budget 2025 article.

Apart from your annual allowance, there is no limit to the amount you can have in a cash ISA or stocks and shares ISA. As your annual allowance resets, you can keep paying in to your ISA.

When can I open a new ISA in 2026?

You can open a new ISA at any time during 2026. But it’s important to take into account when the new tax year starts for ISAs:

If you open your ISA before or on 5 April, any money you pay into it will count against your 2025 to 2026 ISA tax allowance.
If you open your ISA from 6 April on, any payments into it will count against your 2026 to 2027 ISA allowance.

Start saving into one of our stocks and shares ISAs today

You can start your tax-efficient investing with just £20 a month or a £100 lump sum.

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The value of your investment will go up and down. It isn’t guaranteed, so you may get back less than you put in.

When do I get a new ISA allowance?

Your annual allowance ends at midnight on 5 April. Your new annual allowance resets at one minute past midnight on 6 April. You can’t carry any unused allowance over into the next year, so it will go back up to £20,000.

Do I need to open a new ISA every year?

There’s no need to open a new ISA every year – you can just keep paying into one you’ve already got. But if you do want a new ISA every year, there’s nothing to stop you.

There’s actually no limit on how many ISAs you can own. For more information about that, check out our Can I have more than one ISA article. Whether or not having two or more ISAs is a good idea will depend on your saving or investment needs and goals.

You should also bear in mind that:

some ISAs have annual payment limits, as we’ve noted above
you can only pay into one Lifetime or Junior ISA a year

Does transferring an ISA count as opening a new one?

Transferring an ISA doesn’t count as opening a new one. But you have to follow the transfer process carefully. You can find out how it works and more in our Transfer your ISA article.

Can I have more than one ISA?

Want to open another ISA before the end of the tax year? Read our article to learn everything you need to know, including deadlines and allowances.

Cash ISA vs stocks and shares ISA – what's the difference?

Cash ISA or Stocks and Shares ISA? Which ISA is best for you, and can you have both? Find out more with our guide.