39% of Young UK Couples Keep Money Separate – Highest in Europe

A new study highlights shifting UK couples’ financial habits, revealing that 39% of young couples prefer to manage their money separately — the highest rate in Europe. Europe’s second-largest neobank, bunq, has surveyed 4,000* people across the UK, France, Spain, and the Netherlands to explore how modern couples approach money: from when they open up about finances, to whether they’re keeping spending secrets, and how often it sparks arguments.

Young Brits are the least likely to mix money with their partner

In the UK, younger couples are the most likely to keep their finances completely separate. A striking 39% of 18-24-year-olds keep their finances fully separate – significantly higher than in Spain (33%), France (29%) and the Netherlands (26%).

In contrast, older British age groups are more likely to share at least part of their finances: among 25-34s, around 1 in 6 (17%) report using fully joint accounts and a quarter 26% follow a hybrid model; for those aged 35-44, almost 1 in 5 (19%) use fully joint accounts while 1 in 4 (26%) opt for a hybrid setup. Interestingly, those over 45 seem to once again be embracing their financial independence, with over a third (34%) saying they don’t share their finances at all.

When do we talk about money?

For many British couples, the “money chat” starts when they move in together. Almost half (45%) wait until they move in together to talk about finances, while a third (33%) have the conversation after a few months of dating. Just 1 in 20 (4%) hold off until big life moments like getting engaged or having a baby.

Compare that to France, where couples in relationships but not yet living together are both more likely to raise the topic on a first date (8%) and wait until getting engaged or married (11%). In the UK, those figures are just 4% and 2% respectively. Spanish couples, meanwhile, take a more balanced approach: 42% wait until moving in, but 2 in 5 (40%) have the chat a few months in.

All in all, Brits remain the most likely to postpone the conversation until they’re sharing a roof, suggesting they might be more private and cautious at opening up about money early in the relationship.These findings underscore a broader transformation in UK couples’ financial habits, with younger generations favoring transparency and autonomy over joint ownership.

Secrets don’t need a shared address

Around 3 in 10 UK couples admit to hiding purchases or financial decisions from their partner, whether they live together (29%) or not (27%).

In France, secrecy is even higher, with 42% of cohabiting couples and 41% of those living apart keeping things hidden. Spain shows similar numbers (36% and 34%). In the Netherlands, 28% suspect their partner is hiding money matters and nearly a quarter (23%) admit they’ve done it themselves.

British couples least likely in Europe to argue about money

More than 1 in 3 (35%) UK couples who don’t live together say they never argue about money, much higher than in France (23%) or Spain (22%). Just 1 in 12 (8%) say money arguments are a regular occurrence.

Among cohabiting couples, the trend holds: only 1 in 10 (12%) in the UK argue about finances often, compared to 1 in 4 (25%) in France and 1 in 5 (20%) in Spain.

Dutch couples appear the most divided – nearly half (46%) admit to arguing about money, with 3 in 5 (60%) saying they have completely different spending habits. Fewer than half (43%) share costs equally, and just 1 in 7 (14%) have a joint bank account.

The causes of conflict vary: for British and Spanish couples living apart, long-term planning is the biggest flashpoint (44% and 49%). In France, income differences spark the most tension (38%).

Bianca Zwart, Chief Strategy Officer at bunq, said: “Today’s couples don’t want a one-size-fits-all model. They want a bit of shared, a bit of separate and a whole lot of flexibility, depending on what feels right for their relationship.”

Matthew Sheeran, External Relations Manager at Money Wellness, said:“Younger people are more likely to keep finances separate because financial independence can feel safer, especially in today’s climate of rising costs and economic uncertainty. There’s also a trust element. We often help people who’ve taken on debt after relying too much on a partner or avoided money conversations until it was too late.”

“Keeping money separate works for many couples, but open conversations are key. Talking about finances early helps avoid surprises and build trust, whether you choose to share or stay separate.” As personal finance becomes increasingly individualized, this rise in separate banking sheds new light on evolving UK couples’ financial habits across generations.