How Much Can You Put in an ISA in 2026/27?

You can put up to £20,000 into ISAs in the 2026/27 tax year. You can split it across different ISA types, though the Lifetime ISA has a £4,000 sub-limit. Any unused allowance is lost when the tax year ends on 5 April 2027.

Last reviewed: 30 May 2026 · 2 min read

Key Facts

Total ISA allowance is £20,000 for 2026/27
Lifetime ISA contributions are capped at £4,000 within that total
Unused allowance can't be carried into the next year

How the allowance splits

The £20,000 is a combined limit across all your adult ISAs — cash, stocks and shares, innovative finance and lifetime. You choose how to divide it. You could put the whole £20,000 in a cash ISA, or split it, say £8,000 in cash and £12,000 invested.

The one fixed rule is the Lifetime ISA sub-limit: you can only pay £4,000 into a LISA in a year, and that £4,000 counts towards your overall £20,000.

Use it or lose it

The allowance resets every 6 April and you can't carry unused allowance forward. If you only pay in £5,000 this year, the remaining £15,000 is gone once the tax year ends — you don't get £35,000 next year.

Since April 2024 you can also pay into more than one ISA of the same type in a single year (except lifetime and junior ISAs), giving you more flexibility to chase better rates without wasting your allowance.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay into two cash ISAs in the same year? +

Yes. Since April 2024 you can open and pay into more than one cash ISA in the same tax year, as long as your total across all ISAs stays within the £20,000 allowance. This makes it easier to move to a better rate without losing your allowance.

What happens if I accidentally go over £20,000? +

HMRC will usually spot it and may contact you. The excess won't get the tax-free benefit and any over-subscription can be unwound, sometimes with tax due on the excess. It's best to track your contributions yourself to avoid the hassle, especially if you hold ISAs with several providers.

Does the Junior ISA count towards my £20,000? +

No. A Junior ISA has its own separate allowance of £9,000 per child for 2026/27 and doesn't eat into your adult £20,000 limit. Junior ISAs belong to the child and can only be accessed by them once they turn 18.

Topics covered

isas isa allowance savings

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research or speak to a qualified financial adviser before making financial decisions.