How to borrow money from family and friends
Feeling awkward may not be the only consideration when it comes to asking your loved ones for a loan.
MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker not a lender. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident
We do the heavy lifting, so you don't have to. We work with leading providers to help you borrow the money you need.







We make it easy to find a loan that suits you, with transparent comparisons from lenders you can rely on. We work with 52
Find out what monthly repayments would be, how much you'll pay overall and how much you could borrow.
Oops! That doesn't look quite right - can you check and enter again?
Total amount
‐
Based on the information you supplied, you would be borrowing XXX and repaying the loan in XXX monthly instalments of . The total sum to repay, subject to XXX% APR over the full loan term would be XXX. This assumes there are no extra fees and that your payments are made on time and in full.
Total amount
‐
Based on the information you supplied, you could borrow XXX at a monthly repayment rate of to be paid over XXX monthly instalments. Over the full loan term at XXX% APR, the total amount repayable would be XXX. This assumes there are no extra fees and that your payments are made on time and in full.
Oops! That doesn't look quite right - can you check and enter again?
If you need a larger amount, consider a secured loan, which will allow you to borrow more but uses your home as collateral. Be aware that lenders can sell your house if you fail to keep up with repayments.
A £25,000 loan can be secured or unsecured. With an unsecured personal loan, you borrow the money without securing it against an asset such as your home.
Use a soft search to check your chances of approval without affecting your credit score. Then compare interest rates and repayment terms to find a deal that suits you.
You could use your loan for things like buying a car, making home improvements, or consolidating existing debts. If you’re approved, the lender will usually pay the money into your bank account.
You’ll repay the loan in regular monthly instalments over an agreed term. A longer term can reduce your monthly payments, but may mean paying more interest overall.
When comparing £25,000 loans, consider the repayment term, total cost and whether the monthly repayments are affordable for you.
A longer term can reduce your monthly payments but increase the amount of interest you pay overall. Compare different repayment periods to find a balance between affordability and total cost.
Look at how much you’ll repay over the full loan term, not just the monthly payment. Two loans with similar monthly costs could have very different overall costs.
Make sure the monthly repayments fit comfortably within your budget alongside your bills and other financial commitments. Consider whether you could still afford them if your circumstances changed.
APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, includes the interest rate and certain fees or charges, helping you compare the overall cost of different loans.
Use an eligibility checker to see which loans you’re more likely to be approved for without affecting your credit score. This can help you narrow down your options before making a full application.
Check you meet the lender’s criteria
Lenders usually have basic eligibility requirements, such as being aged 18 or over and being a UK resident. Check these before you apply so you don’t make an application for a loan you’re unlikely to qualify for.
Limit the number of applications you make
A formal loan application usually involves a hard credit check, which appears on your credit file. Making several applications over a short period could reduce your chances of being accepted. Using an eligibility checker first can help you see which loans you’re more likely to qualify for without affecting your credit score.
Review your credit report
Check your credit report before applying and make sure the information is accurate. Look for things like existing credit agreements, missed payments and financial links with other people. It’s also worth checking you’re registered on the electoral roll at your current address.
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
APR, or your Annual Percentage Rate, is the interest rate at which you pay back money you’ve borrowed. It takes into account the actual interest rate you pay, plus any other fees or charges involved in the deal, to give you a more complete picture of what you loan will cost.
When you see a rate advertised as the representative APR, this means the lender is required to offer this rate to at least 51% of applicants – however it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to receive this interest rate yourself.
A soft-search or soft-application is a way of finding out where you stand in terms of getting a loan without leaving a mark on your credit report. It’s a useful way of finding a loan you’ll be eligible for without harming your chances of being accepted.
You could receive a £25,000 loan within two to three working days if you meet the lender’s criteria. Some online lenders may approve and transfer funds quickly. However, because larger loan amounts often require extra checks or documents, it might take slightly longer to process.
Usually you’ll be able to pay off all or part of your loan early, though some lenders may have an early repayment charge.
Missing repayments can lead to penalty charges and extra interest, and it could also have a negative impact on your credit file and rating. If you have concerns about your loan and meeting your repayments speak to your lender as early as possible to see if you can work out a joint solution, such as a repayment holiday or restructure of the loan.
It is possible to get a loan for £25,000 without a guarantor but how much you can borrow and on what terms will depend on your own financial and personal circumstances. One of the most important factors will be your credit history and score. The better your credit score and financial position the more likely you’ll be able to borrow a larger loan and at lower interest rates.
It is not possible to get a loan without a full credit check. All regulated lenders in the UK will conduct a full credit check on your before giving you a loan. This is to ensure the loan is affordable for you and that the lending is responsible.
With a larger loan like £25,000, your eligibility for the representative APR depends on your credit score, income, and overall affordability. Lenders are more cautious with higher amounts, so you could see higher rates if your profile isn't ideal.
Terms generally range from three to seven years for a loan of this size. Spreading payments over a longer period reduces monthly pressure on finances but adds to the overall interest. Higher-value loans often allow longer repayment options. It’s also worth checking your agreement for early repayment rules and any fees.
Thinking of borrowing £25,000? It’s important to weigh up the following first:
Do I really need to borrow the funds? Make sure there’s no cheaper way to cover the cost – such as savings or a different financing agreement
How can I make sure I am getting the best deal? Compare lenders to find the lowest APR and look for any hidden charges or fees.
Can I afford to meet repayments? It’s a significant loan, so make sure your income is stable enough to cover the monthly repayments over the full term.
What happens if I miss a payment? This could lead to late fees and a negative mark on your credit report – which can affect future borrowing.
What happens if I want to pay the loan off early? Some lenders allow this with minimal cost, while others may charge a fee. Always double-check the terms.
Borrowing £25,000 is a big step – so make sure the purpose justifies the cost. A loan of this size could make sense for something with long-term value, like home improvements or a reliable car for commuting.
Make sure your credit score is as high as possible. It will impact both your eligibility and the interest rate and a better score can mean a lower cost overall.
It’s important to ensure you can manage the monthly repayments, even if your income or expenses change. Only borrow if you’re confident it fits your budget in the long run.
Here are the alternatives if you don’t want to take out a loan.
Use existing savings: This avoids interest and borrowing costs. But consider whether it leaves you short for the future.
Borrow from family: This can work if you have an open, trusting relationship. Written agreements can help keep things clear.
Secured loan: A homeowner loan may offer lower rates and bigger amounts. But your property is at risk if you miss repayments.
Car or home finance schemes: Suppliers might offer finance tailored to large purchases. Always check the full repayment cost and flexibility
Yes, self-employed applicants can still qualify for a £25,000 loan, but you may need to provide more proof of income and financial stability than a salaried applicant. Lenders often ask for up to two years of accounts from HMRC, along with recent bank statements. A strong credit history and steady business income will improve your chances of approval.
Some lenders allow you to top up your existing loan if you need to borrow more, but this depends on your repayment history, current balance, and creditworthiness. Topping up may involve either increasing your current loan amount or taking out a new loan to cover both the existing balance and the extra funds. Always compare the total cost, including fees and interest, before proceeding.
You work hard to earn your money, and we don’t think you should waste a penny of it paying over the odds on your household bills. That’s why at MoneySuperMarket, we’re on a mission to save Britain money.
Whip your credit score into shape with Credit Score
Super save over and over again with Energy Monitor
There are always more ways to save with MoneySuperMarket
So how do we make our money? In a nutshell, when you use us to buy something, we get a reward from the company you’re buying from.
You might be wondering if we work with all the companies in the market, or if our commercial relationships with our partners might make us feature one company above another. We’ve got nothing to hide, and we want to give you clear answers when it comes to questions like these, so we’ve pulled together everything you need to know on this page.
Curious about who’s behind the loans? Take a look at each lender’s page below to learn more:
Reviewed on 20 Aug 2026 by
Selected providers. SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
Selected providers. SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
Accurate as of 20 August 2026.