- An ISA is only a tax wrapper, so what’s inside decides.
- An Islamic Cash ISA pays an expected profit rate rather than interest.
- Choose the lock-in first, because leaving early costs you.
An ISA is a set of tax rules. It doesn’t decide how your money earns. So “is an ISA halal?” is a bit like asking whether a suitcase is halal. You need to look inside.
Cash ISAs
A high street Cash ISA pays interest, so most people looking to avoid riba will rule it out. An Islamic Cash ISA pays an expected profit rate. Check our rates table for who’s offering them now.
Stocks and shares ISAs
Same logic. The wrapper’s neutral, and the fund inside needs checking. Here’s how to check a fund.
The limits
You can pay up to £20,000 a year across your ISAs. From 6 April 2027, if you’re under 65, no more than £12,000 of that can go into cash ISAs. The rest can still go into a stocks and shares ISA. Check gov.uk for the details.
Watch the early exit terms
Fixed Cash ISAs let you leave, but it costs you. Gatehouse’s published charges run from 90 days’ profit on a one-year term to 365 days’ on a five-year term. Don’t lock away money you might need for a deposit next spring.
Choose the lock-in first and the provider second. The most expensive ISA is the one you break early.
If you spot a mistake, tell us and we’ll fix it.
Expected profit rates, not guarantees, sorted highest first. Providers can change them at any time, so confirm before you apply. Some links may earn us a fee, which never changes the order.
