Does applying for a credit card affect your credit score?

Updated:Apr 8, 2026

5 min read

Yes, applying for a credit card does affect your credit score, but only slightly and temporarily. When you apply, the lender carries out a hard search on your credit file, which can cause a small dip in your score. A single application is unlikely to make a significant or lasting difference, and your score should recover within a few months, particularly if you manage the new account responsibly.

What happens to my credit score when I apply for a credit card?

When you submit a credit card application, the lender carries out a hard search on your credit file. This is a formal check of your credit history that helps them decide whether to approve your application.

Hard searches are recorded on your credit file and are visible to other lenders. Because they show you are actively seeking credit, they can cause a small, temporary dip in your score. For most people, a single hard search has a minor impact. The effect tends to fade over the following months, even while the search remains visible on your file.

Hard searches are different from the checks carried out when you use an eligibility checker or view your own credit report. Those are soft searches. They do not appear on your credit file and have no effect on your score.

How long does a hard search stay on my credit file?

How long a hard search stays on your credit file depends on which credit reference agency holds the record. The three main credit reference agencies in the UK are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, and their retention periods differ.

Experian and Equifax retain hard searches for 12 months. TransUnion keeps them on your file for two years.

The key thing to know is that the effect on your credit score typically fades before the search is removed from your file. Managing your new account well in the months after opening it can help your score recover and, over time, improve.

Does it matter if my application is approved or declined?

No. Whether your application is approved or declined does not show on your credit file. TransUnion confirms that the outcome of a credit application is not recorded on your credit file. Other lenders can see that a hard search was carried out, but not whether it resulted in an approval or a decline.

This means the impact on your score is the same whether you are accepted or turned down. What matters is the number of hard searches on your file, not their outcomes.

What if I apply for several credit cards at once?

Applying for multiple credit cards in a short space of time can have a more noticeable impact on your score than a single application. Each application triggers a separate hard search, and several searches in quick succession can signal to lenders that you may be in financial difficulty or seeking to take on more credit than you can comfortably manage.

If you are thinking about applying for more than one card, it is worth spacing your applications out over a longer period. For more on this, read our guide on how many credit cards should I have.

Can I check my eligibility without affecting my credit score?

Yes. Most lenders offer a credit card eligibility checker that uses a soft search rather than a hard search. Soft searches do not appear on your credit file and are not visible to other lenders, so they have no effect on your score.

Using an eligibility checker before applying lets you see whether you are likely to be approved without triggering a hard search or committing to a full application. For more on how soft searches work in practice, read our guide to pre-approved credit cards.

Does getting a new credit card help my credit score in the long run?

While applying for a credit card causes a short-term dip, using a card responsibly over time can improve your credit score. Two factors are particularly relevant.

Credit utilisation: Your credit utilisation is the proportion of your available credit that you are using. Opening a new card increases your total available credit, which can lower your utilisation ratio if your spending stays the same. Lenders generally view a lower utilisation ratio more favourably.
Payment history: Making your repayments on time every month builds a positive track record on your credit file. Consistent on-time payments are one of the most effective ways to strengthen your score over time.

For more on building your score after opening a new card, read our guide to how to increase your credit score.

FAQs

Does applying for a credit card always leave a hard search?

Yes, a formal credit card application will always trigger a hard search on your credit file. If you want to check your chances of approval first, use an eligibility checker, which runs a soft search and will not affect your score.

How much does a credit card application lower my credit score?

The impact varies depending on your existing credit profile and which credit reference agency is assessing your file. UK credit reference agencies each use different scoring scales, so no single figure applies universally. For most people, a single application causes a small, temporary dip.

How long does a credit card application affect my credit score?

The initial effect on your score typically fades within a few months, particularly if you manage your new account well. The hard search itself remains on your credit file for longer, but its effect on your score reduces well before it is removed.

Can I apply for a credit card with a bad credit score?

Yes. There are credit cards for bad credit designed for people with a lower credit score or limited credit history. Used responsibly, they can help you build your score over time.

Does being declined for a credit card affect my credit score?

A declined application does not add a separate negative mark to your file. Other lenders can see that a hard search was carried out, but not the outcome. That said, if you apply for multiple cards in quick succession and are repeatedly declined, the volume of hard searches may have an impact.

What is the difference between a hard search and a soft search?

A hard search is recorded when you formally apply for credit. It is visible to other lenders and can temporarily affect your score. A soft search is used for eligibility checks, identity verification, and when you view your own report. It does not appear on your credit file and has no effect on your score.

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please speak to a qualified financial adviser before making financial decisions.