Switch all your (recurrent) in and outflows. This is the step that scares people off when, in fact, it’s just a matter of organization. Set up a list of all your direct debits and standing orders (typically you can see this list in your internet banking access) to establish the minimum reserve you should keep in your old account during the switch. Once you’ve established that, switch your inflows (salary, pension, allowances…) to the new account to start building it up. If you had extra cash in your old account, transfer it to the new account and switch all your standing orders (alternatively, wait for the first inflow to come before setting up the new standing orders!). Then draft a sample letter or email with your new account details and inform all of your service providers (direct debits) of the desired change. They might need a few working days to set up your new account details, take it into account before asking your original bank to cancel all of these to avoid penalties. After a few weeks check that there are no more movements in your old account, in case you forgot a direct debit.