Who Qualifies for the Fidelity £100 Referral Bonus: Core Eligibility Rules
Fidelity's referral programme is restricted to UK residents aged 18 or over who have not held an active Fidelity account within the previous 12 months, a "new customer" definition that is strictly enforced by the Mention-Me platform through automated account verification checks. This eligibility gate is non-negotiable and is designed to prevent bonus stacking, account churning, and the kind of promotional abuse that would undermine the offer's sustainability for genuine new investors.
Your geographic location must be the United Kingdom at the time of application. The offer does not extend to residents of the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or overseas territories, nor to those applying from outside the UK. Fidelity verifies residency through your address confirmation during the account opening process, cross-referencing it against Royal Mail postcode data and other standard FCA Know Your Customer (KYC) checks. If you have recently moved to the UK or are a returning expat, ensure your address is correctly registered with UK authorities before applying.
Age verification is automated during the Fidelity application process. You must be at least 18 years old on the date you submit your account application; there is no upper age limit. Fidelity will request your date of birth and may cross-check it against credit reference agency data as part of standard anti-money-laundering compliance. If your age cannot be verified electronically, Fidelity may request a copy of your passport or driving licence as supporting documentation.
Account Type Restrictions: Which Fidelity Accounts Qualify for the £100 Bonus
Fidelity's referral programme explicitly covers three account types: Stocks & Shares ISAs, Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), and General Investment Accounts (GIAs), with each account type subject to the same £5,000 minimum deposit requirement and 120-day reward timeline. This breadth of eligible account types is a significant advantage compared to competitors who often restrict bonuses to a single account category, allowing you to choose the tax wrapper that best aligns with your financial goals.
A Stocks & Shares ISA is a tax-efficient savings vehicle that allows you to invest up to £20,000 per tax year (April to April) with all growth, dividends, and interest entirely free from UK income tax and capital gains tax. This is the most popular choice for UK taxpayers and is particularly valuable if you expect your investments to generate significant dividends or capital appreciation. A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) is a retirement savings account where contributions receive tax relief at your marginal rate (up to 45% for higher earners), and all growth is sheltered from tax until withdrawal in retirement. SIPPs are ideal for those prioritising long-term pension accumulation and maximising tax relief. A General Investment Account (GIA) is a standard taxable investment account with no annual contribution limit and no tax wrapper, meaning you will pay income tax on dividends and capital gains tax on profits above the annual exemption threshold (£500 for dividends, £3,000 for capital gains as of 2026). GIAs are useful for those who have already maxed out their ISA allowance or who need flexibility to withdraw funds without pension withdrawal penalties.
Critically, the following account types are explicitly excluded from the Fidelity referral bonus: Junior ISAs (tax-efficient accounts for children under 18), Cash ISAs (fixed-rate savings accounts, not investment accounts), Fidelity's Stocks & Shares Savings Account (a hybrid product that does not qualify), and any corporate, institutional, or business accounts. If you accidentally open an ineligible account type, you will not receive the £100 bonus even if you meet all other criteria. Before proceeding with your application, verify on Fidelity's website that you are opening one of the three eligible account types listed above.
The £5,000 Minimum Deposit Rule: What Counts and What Doesn't
The Fidelity referral bonus requires a single lump sum deposit of at least £5,000 in new money (cash from your bank account), a rule that is strictly enforced by Fidelity's compliance systems and is non-negotiable regardless of account type or circumstance. This minimum is higher than some competitors but is designed to ensure that the referral incentive is used by serious investors rather than those testing the platform with micro-investments, and it reflects Fidelity's positioning as a wealth-building platform rather than a micro-investing app.
The critical distinction is between "new money" and "In Specie" transfers. New money is a cash deposit from your personal bank account, building society account, or other cash-holding institution. In Specie transfers are the movement of existing shares, funds, or investment holdings from another provider directly into your Fidelity account without being liquidated first. Fidelity's referral programme explicitly excludes In Specie transfers from the qualifying deposit calculation. If you transfer £5,000 worth of shares from another broker into Fidelity, that transfer does not count toward the £5,000 threshold, and you will not receive the £100 bonus. You must deposit £5,000 in fresh cash to qualify.
Multiple smaller deposits do not aggregate toward the £5,000 requirement. If you deposit £2,500 on day one and £2,500 on day two, Fidelity's system will not recognise this as a qualifying £5,000 lump sum. You must make a single deposit of at least £5,000 in one transaction. This rule is enforced by Mention-Me's tracking system, which records the date and amount of your first deposit and validates it against the offer terms. If you make multiple deposits, only the largest single deposit is counted, and if it falls below £5,000, the bonus will not be triggered.
The £5,000 must be deposited within 12 months of your account registration date. If you open your Fidelity account on 1 June 2026 but do not deposit the £5,000 until 2 June 2026, you will have missed the deadline and will not qualify for the bonus. Fidelity monitors this timeline automatically, and the Mention-Me system will flag your account as ineligible if the deposit arrives outside the 12-month window. Plan your deposit timing carefully to ensure you meet this deadline.
The 12-Month Account Holding Period and Reward Clawback Rules
After you have deposited your £5,000, Fidelity requires you to maintain your account in active, funded status for a minimum of 12 months from the date of your initial deposit, a condition that is designed to prevent short-term "bonus hunting" and ensure that the referral incentive supports genuine long-term investing behaviour. This holding period is measured from the date your deposit clears into your Fidelity account, not from the date you initiated the transfer.
During this 12-month period, you must not close your account or withdraw funds in a way that reduces your balance below the original £5,000 deposit. If you close your account before 12 months have elapsed, Fidelity will typically claw back the £100 Amazon Gift Card, and you will be required to return it or forfeit the value. Similarly, if you withdraw more than a small amount of your initial deposit (Fidelity's exact threshold is not publicly specified, but the safest approach is to treat the £5,000 as locked for 12 months), you risk triggering a clawback. Investment gains and losses do not count toward this calculation—if your £5,000 grows to £6,000 or shrinks to £4,500, the account is still considered "funded" as long as you have not actively withdrawn cash.
Regular investment contributions (adding new money to your account monthly or quarterly) do not affect your eligibility and are encouraged. The 12-month holding period applies only to the initial £5,000 deposit and the account itself, not to subsequent contributions. You can add additional funds to your Fidelity account at any time without jeopardising the referral bonus.
Once the 12-month period has elapsed and your account remains open and funded, the £100 Amazon Gift Card will be dispatched via email. Fidelity typically sends the reward between 90 and 120 days after your deposit clears, but the exact timing depends on when Fidelity's compliance team completes its final validation checks. If you have maintained your account for the full 12 months and still have not received the gift card after 120 days, contact Mention-Me support directly with your account details and registration email.
New Customer Definition and the 12-Month Lookback Window
Fidelity defines a "new customer" as someone who has not held an active Fidelity account within the 12 months immediately preceding their current application, a definition that is strictly enforced through Fidelity's customer database and is non-negotiable. This means that if you closed a Fidelity account on 1 June 2026, you would not be eligible to use the referral bonus until 2 June 2026, when the 12-month lookback period expires.
The lookback window applies to all Fidelity account types globally, including Stocks & Shares ISAs, SIPPs, GIAs, and any other Fidelity products. If you previously held a Fidelity account in the United States, Europe, or any other jurisdiction and closed it within the past 12 months, you may be flagged as ineligible for the UK referral bonus. Fidelity's systems are integrated globally, and the company's compliance team cross-references all previous accounts when processing new applications.
If you are unsure whether you held a Fidelity account in the past 12 months, contact Fidelity's UK customer service team before applying. Providing false information about your customer status during the application process could result in your application being rejected and your account being flagged for compliance review. It is far safer to confirm your eligibility in advance than to risk application rejection or reward forfeiture.
Importantly, the 12-month lookback window is measured from the date you open your new account, not from the date you use the referral link. You can register your email address on the Mention-Me landing page at any time, but the 12-month eligibility clock starts when you submit your Fidelity application and Fidelity's system records your account opening date. If you registered on Mention-Me on 1 June 2026 but did not open your Fidelity account until 15 June 2026, the 12-month lookback window would be measured from 15 June 2026.
Compliance, KYC, and Anti-Money-Laundering Verification Requirements
All new Fidelity customers must complete standard Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money-laundering (AML) verification as required by FCA regulations and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, a process that is non-negotiable and applies equally to all applicants regardless of referral status. This verification is not a barrier to the referral bonus; rather, it is a legal requirement that protects both you and Fidelity from financial crime and fraud.
During the Fidelity application process, you will be asked to provide: your full legal name (as it appears on your passport or driving licence), your date of birth, your UK residential address, your National Insurance number, your employment status and occupation, and details of your source of funds (where the £5,000 deposit is coming from). Fidelity will cross-check this information against credit reference agencies, the Electoral Register, and other authoritative databases to confirm your identity and residency. This verification typically completes within 24 to 48 hours, though in some cases it may take longer if additional documentation is required.
If Fidelity's compliance team flags any inconsistencies or cannot verify your information electronically, they will request supporting documents such as a copy of your passport, driving licence, utility bill, or recent bank statement. Providing false or misleading information during this process is a serious matter and could result in your application being rejected, your account being closed, and your details being reported to the Financial Conduct Authority and law enforcement agencies. Always provide accurate, truthful information during the application process.
The source of funds verification is particularly important. Fidelity will ask where your £5,000 deposit is coming from—your salary, savings, an inheritance, a gift, or another source. If you cannot provide a clear, documented explanation of your source of funds (such as bank statements showing the money in your account for a reasonable period), Fidelity may reject your application or delay it pending further investigation. This is standard practice across all UK financial institutions and is designed to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. If your funds come from a gift, you may be asked to provide a letter from the gift-giver confirming the source of their funds as well.
Once you have successfully completed KYC and AML verification and your account has been approved, the referral bonus eligibility is locked in. Even if Fidelity later discovers a compliance issue or closes your account for breach of terms, the £100 bonus will typically still be paid if you have met all other conditions (deposit amount, account type, 12-month holding period). However, if your account is closed due to fraud, money laundering, or deliberate breach of Fidelity's terms and conditions, Fidelity reserves the right to withhold or claw back the bonus.
Geographic and Regulatory Scope: UK-Only Offer
The Fidelity £100 referral bonus is exclusively available to residents of the United Kingdom and does not extend to residents of the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) or British Overseas Territories, a geographic restriction that is enforced by Fidelity's application system and is tied to UK tax law and FCA regulatory jurisdiction. This limitation exists because the tax benefits of ISAs and SIPPs are specific to UK tax residents, and Fidelity's compliance framework is built around UK regulatory requirements.
If you are a UK resident but are currently living or working abroad temporarily, you may still be eligible provided your registered address with HMRC and Fidelity is in the UK. However, if you are a non-resident for UK tax purposes (as defined by HMRC's Statutory Residence Test), you will not be eligible for the referral bonus, and you may face restrictions on opening certain account types such as ISAs. If you are unsure of your tax residency status, consult a tax adviser or contact HMRC directly before applying.
Fidelity's referral offer is specific to Fidelity International UK Limited, the UK-regulated entity. If you hold a Fidelity account in the United States, Europe, or another jurisdiction, that account does not qualify for this UK referral bonus, and using the UK referral link while holding a non-UK Fidelity account may trigger eligibility issues. Ensure you are applying for a Fidelity International UK account specifically.
UseMyCode Editorial Tip: Before clicking the referral link, verify your eligibility against this checklist: (1) Are you a UK resident aged 18+? (2) Have you not held a Fidelity account in the past 12 months? (3) Do you have £5,000 in new cash ready to deposit? (4) Are you planning to open a Stocks & Shares ISA, SIPP, or GIA? (5) Can you commit to keeping your account open and funded for 12 months? If you answer "yes" to all five questions, you are eligible. If any answer is "no", review the relevant section above before proceeding.
Common Eligibility Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most frequent reason referral bonuses fail to credit is that applicants open an ineligible account type, typically a Cash ISA or Junior ISA, without realising that these accounts do not qualify for the Fidelity referral programme. Before you click "Submit" on your Fidelity application, triple-check that you are opening a Stocks & Shares ISA, SIPP, or GIA. The account type selection is usually one of the first steps in the application process, and changing it after submission is difficult and time-consuming.
The second most common mistake is depositing funds via an In Specie transfer from another investment platform rather than a cash deposit from a bank account. If you are switching from another broker and want to transfer your existing holdings to Fidelity, you must do so separately from the referral bonus claim. First, deposit £5,000 in fresh cash to claim the bonus, then transfer your existing investments separately if desired. Fidelity will not count the In Specie transfer toward the £5,000 minimum.
A third common error is breaking the 12-month holding period by closing the account or withdrawing the majority of the initial deposit before the reward has been credited. Even if you have met all other conditions, closing your account before 12 months have elapsed will trigger a clawback of the £100 gift card. If you need access to your money, consider whether Fidelity is the right platform for you before applying. The referral bonus is designed for investors with a genuine 12-month investment horizon.
A fourth mistake is using the referral link but then navigating directly to the Fidelity homepage instead of following the Mention-Me redirect. The Mention-Me platform uses secure tracking cookies to attribute the referral, and if you bypass the Mention-Me landing page, the tracking will fail and the bonus will not be triggered. Always enter your email on the Mention-Me page first, then follow the "Visit Site" button to Fidelity. Do not bookmark the Fidelity homepage and navigate there directly.
A fifth error is applying from outside the UK or providing a non-UK address during the application process. Fidelity's system will reject applications from non-UK addresses, and if you provide a false UK address, you risk triggering compliance flags and account closure. If you are currently abroad but are a UK resident, use your permanent UK address and contact Fidelity to explain your temporary absence.
To avoid these mistakes, check if you're eligible and get your code on the main offer page, where you will find the verified referral link and a summary of the key terms. Take time to read through the eligibility criteria on this page and on Fidelity's official terms and conditions before submitting your application. If you have any doubt about your eligibility, contact Fidelity's customer service team before applying rather than risking rejection or reward forfeiture.
About This Article
This article was written by the UseMyCode editorial team and last reviewed on 8 June 2026. UseMyCode independently verifies every referral link and discount code before publication. This page may contain affiliate links — see our editorial policy for details.
