How to get a card machine for a small business
Quick Reference
Direct Answer
To get a card machine in the UK: 1) work out your monthly volume, average sale and how you sell; 2) check you are eligible (UK business, bank account, ID, plus a credit check for contract products); 3) compare the all-in cost, not the headline rate; 4) apply online in minutes; 5) receive the reader in one to three days, or start instantly with Tap to Pay on iPhone, and take your first payment.
Summary
Getting a UK card machine is a five-step process: scope your needs, confirm eligibility, compare the all-in cost, apply, and activate. Sole traders and new businesses qualify for no-contract readers with light checks; contract products from bank acquirers run a credit check and take a little longer.
This Page Covers
The step-by-step process of getting a card machine for a small business in the UK in 2026, plus eligibility, documents needed and timescales.
Not Covered Here
Detailed pricing (see the card machine cost page), high-risk applications (see the high-risk hub), and online-only payment gateways.
The five steps
Getting set up to take card payments is quick. For most small businesses the whole thing, from deciding what you need to taking a first payment, takes a few days, or minutes if you use Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Step 1: Work out what you actually need
Three numbers decide the right machine: your monthly card volume, your average sale value, and where you sell (counter, table, on the move, online too). Low volume favours a no-contract flat-rate reader; high volume favours a blended-rate contract. Our which card machine guide walks the decision.
Step 2: Check you are eligible
Most UK businesses qualify: sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. You need to be UK-based, have a bank account to settle into, and pass identity (KYC) and, for contract products, a credit check. No-contract fintech readers (SumUp, Square, Zettle) have the lightest checks.
Step 3: Compare the all-in cost, not the headline rate
Add up hardware, the per-transaction rate, any monthly fee, PCI and authorisation fees, and contract length. A low headline rate with add-on fees can cost more than a slightly higher flat rate. Model it on the card machine cost page and the fees calculator before you sign.
Step 4: Apply
Applying takes minutes online. You provide business details, ID, and the bank account for settlement. No-contract readers are often approved instantly; bank-acquirer products (Dojo, Worldpay, Tyl, Barclaycard) run underwriting and can take a few days.
Step 5: Receive the machine and take your first payment
Most readers arrive in one to three working days, or you can start the same day with Tap to Pay on iPhone (no hardware). Pair the reader to its app, run a test transaction, and you are live. Settlement to your bank is typically next day.
Not sure which to pick? See which card machine is right for you, the full cost breakdown, or the best card machine for small business.
In one sentence
Scope your volume, check eligibility, compare the all-in cost, apply, activate. Most businesses are taking payments within days.
The hardest part is not getting approved, it is choosing the right machine so you are not overpaying. MerchantHQ compares the whole UK market on the all-in cost, recommends the cheapest fit for your volume, then stays your named account team with quarterly rate reviews.
Get matched in 2 minutesEligibility and documents: frequently asked questions
Can I get a card machine as a sole trader?
Yes. Sole traders are eligible for almost every UK card machine, and no-contract readers (SumUp, Square, Zettle, Tide, Revolut) are built for exactly this. You apply with your own ID and a bank account to settle into. You do not need to be a limited company.
Do I need a business bank account?
Not always. Most no-contract fintech readers will settle into a personal account if you trade as a sole trader, though a dedicated business account keeps your bookkeeping clean. Bank-acquirer products (Tyl, Barclaycard) and some contract plans expect a business account, and account-linked readers (Tide, Revolut) require their own account.
Do I need a credit check to get a card machine?
For most no-contract readers, no, or only a soft check. For contract products from bank acquirers (Dojo, Worldpay, Tyl, Barclaycard) there is usually a credit and underwriting check, because they are extending a longer commercial agreement. If credit is a concern, a no-contract reader is the straightforward route.
What documents do I need to apply?
Typically: photo ID (passport or driving licence), your business details (trading name, address, and company number if a limited company), and the bank account you want payments settled into. High-risk sectors may need extra documents. Have these to hand and most applications take under ten minutes.
Can a brand-new business get a card machine?
Yes. New businesses and start-ups can get a no-contract reader from day one, since there is no trading history requirement for flat-rate fintech readers. Some contract products prefer to see turnover, so if you are brand new, start with a no-contract reader and review once you have volume.
How long does it take to get a card machine?
The fastest is Tap to Pay on iPhone, which is instant if you have a compatible iPhone. A physical no-contract reader usually arrives in one to three working days after an instant approval. Contract products from bank acquirers can take a few days longer because of underwriting.
Reviewed by Oliver Mackman. Last reviewed: 2026-06-04.