A referral code is a unique link or code shared by an existing customer of a company. When someone signs up using that link, both the new customer and the referrer receive a reward — typically cash, bill credit, or a gift card.
Find a referral code
Browse ReferralPlug to find a referral code for a service you want to sign up for. Each listing shows the reward you will receive.
Click the referral link
Click the referral link or copy it to your clipboard. This takes you to the company's sign-up page with the referral tracked.
Complete your sign-up
Sign up for the service as you normally would. There is no extra step — the referral is tracked automatically through the link.
Receive your reward
Once you meet any requirements (like making a first payment or completing a purchase), both you and the referrer receive the stated reward.
Companies offer referral rewards because it is cheaper than traditional advertising. Instead of paying for ads, they share part of that budget directly with the customer who brought in a new sign-up. This is why referral rewards can be so generous.
Yes, referral codes are always free. You never pay anything extra for using one. You simply sign up through the referral link instead of going directly to the company's website, and the reward is applied automatically.
The reward is funded by the company as a customer acquisition cost. It comes from their marketing budget, not from you. There is no catch — both the referrer and the new customer benefit.
If you used every referral code listed on ReferralPlug, you could earn over £500 in combined rewards. The highest-value UK referral codes in 2026 include Octopus Energy (£50 bill credit), E.ON Next (£50 bill credit), Monzo (up to £100 cash), and Motorway (£50 Amazon gift card).
In practice, you should only sign up for services you genuinely need. The referral reward should be a bonus on top of a decision you have already made, not the reason for switching.
On ReferralPlug, every referral page shows the exact reward, how long it takes to receive, and any requirements — so you know exactly what to expect before signing up.
Legitimate referral codes come from companies with official refer-a-friend programmes. You can verify a referral code by:
All referral codes on ReferralPlug are genuine refer-a-friend links. Each company listed has an official referral programme, and we check that rewards, requirements, and terms are accurate.
You can use one referral code per company — it applies to your initial sign-up. However, you can use referral codes from different companies at the same time.
For example, you could use an Octopus Energy referral when switching energy, a Monzo referral when opening a new bank account, and a Freetrade referral when starting to invest — each one earning you a separate reward.
Referral programmes can change or end at any time. Companies may adjust the reward amount, add new requirements, or close the programme entirely. The rewards listed on ReferralPlug are current as of the date shown on each page.
We update our listings regularly to keep rewards, requirements, and terms accurate. Always check the company's own terms before signing up if you want to confirm the latest details.
ReferralPlug organises referral codes by category so you can find what you need quickly:
A referral code is a unique link tied to a specific existing customer, and it rewards both the referrer and the new customer. A promo code is a general discount code anyone can use, typically only benefiting the new customer. Referral codes are personal; promo codes are not.
Yes. Once you sign up for a service that has a referral programme, you will usually get your own unique referral link. You can share this with friends, family, or publicly to earn rewards when people sign up through your link.
If a referral code does not work, it may have expired, the referral programme may have changed, or there may be an eligibility issue. Check the company's official referral terms, try a different link, or contact the company's support team.
For most people, referral rewards are not taxable. HMRC generally treats small referral bonuses as gifts or incentives rather than income. However, if you earn significant amounts from referrals as a regular activity, you should seek advice from a tax professional.
It varies by company. Some rewards are instant (like Monzo cash bonuses), while others take days or weeks (like Octopus Energy bill credit after your first direct debit). Each referral page on ReferralPlug lists the expected timeframe.
Personal finance writer and UK consumer savings specialist
Seb researches and reviews referral schemes across energy, banking, fintech and mobile to help UK consumers get the most from every sign-up. Every guide is fact-checked against official terms and updated regularly.
Last updated: 4 April 2026 · Fact-checked and reviewed for accuracy