Yes, UK writers can charge for a Substack. Stripe's global page lists the United Kingdom as a supported country, and Substack says in-app purchases are open to UK Stripe accounts. Expect Substack's 10% fee plus Stripe's card fees, and check VAT with an accountant.
Writers in Britain ask me the same thing about Substack: can I charge for my newsletter from here, and what do I keep? The short version is that the UK is one of the easy places to do it. The catches are mostly about fees and tax thresholds, so I've pulled together what Substack, Stripe and GOV.UK say on their own pages.
Why the UK is on the easy list for paid newsletters
Substack says paid subscriptions run through Stripe, its payments provider, and that you can check the list of Stripe-supported countries. Stripe's global page lists the United Kingdom as a supported country with no label next to it. That matters because the same page marks other countries as Extended network or Preview, and the UK carries neither.
So a UK publisher doesn't need a workaround to switch on paid subscriptions. You connect a Stripe account, set your price, and readers pay by card. If you're still choosing a platform, which newsletter platform suits a small business compares the options side by side.
Pounds on the price tag
Substack's localized pricing list includes the British pound, so a paid publication can show readers a plan in pounds. The list also covers Canadian and Australian dollars, euros and a handful of other currencies. Prices are converted using Substack's exchange rates and then rounded up, and Stripe charges between 1% and 2% for currency conversion, so a reader paying in another currency may see a small extra cost.
Localized pricing is on by default, and Substack says prices are updated roughly every three months. If you'd rather quote one fixed price, you can turn it off under Settings and then Payments. The help pages don't say which currency your payout is made in, so check that in your own Stripe dashboard before you promise anything to anyone.
Stripe's UK card fees, row by row
Substack takes 10% of paid subscription revenue, and Stripe charges its own processing fees on top. Substack's fee page uses US card rates as its example, so here's what Stripe's UK pricing page says for UK-registered businesses:
| What I checked | What Stripe lists for UK-registered businesses |
|---|---|
| Standard UK cards | 1.5% + 20p |
| Premium UK cards | 2.8% + 20p |
| European Economic Area cards | 2.5% + 20p |
| International cards | 3.15% + 20p |
| Currency conversion | 2% extra when conversion is required |
| Standard payouts | Free |
| Instant Payouts | 1% of volume, minimum fee of 40p |
Substack's own table adds Stripe Billing for recurring payments at 0.7%. Which row applies to a reader depends on their card, which is why two subscribers paying the same price can leave you with slightly different amounts. Stripe's dashboard shows Substack's fee and Stripe's fee on each payment, so you can see the split for yourself.
One thing worth knowing before you launch: because the percentages differ by card type, your average cost per reader depends on where your readers live. A newsletter with mostly British subscribers will sit nearer the UK rows, while one with a big overseas audience will see more of the international row and the currency conversion charge.
In-app purchases: the UK is on Substack's list
Substack says in-app purchases are available to publications whose Stripe accounts are based in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and most of the European Union. That means a UK-based publication can take payments through the Substack iOS app as well as on the web.
There's a trade-off. Substack says Apple takes a 30% commission in the first year of a subscription, dropping to 15% from the second year of continuous billing, and that Substack's 10% fee is based on your original web price. You can choose adjusted in-app pricing to offset Apple's cut, or keep your web prices and accept a lower payout. Apple pays Substack monthly, typically up to 45 days after the month ends, and in-app earnings stay Held until they reach 100 US dollars.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
How quickly money reaches a UK bank account
Substack's help page says payments usually arrive in your bank account within 48 hours of each transaction. Don't plan your rent around week one. Stripe emails you the amount and the estimated deposit date when a payout is on its way.
The VAT line GOV.UK draws at 90,000 pounds
Substack's fee page says writers may add sales tax or VAT on top of the price. GOV.UK says you must register for VAT if your total taxable turnover for the last 12 months goes over 90,000 pounds, and that you can choose to register if your turnover is less than that. Whether your subscriptions count as taxable turnover, and how they combine with your other income, is a question for a UK accountant rather than a blog post.
If Substack isn't the right fit
Substack is built for writing first and community second. If you want tiers, perks and a membership feel, look at how Patreon works for UK creators instead. And if you're weighing a book as well as a newsletter, how Amazon KDP pays authors in the UK covers the other route. Whichever you choose, how newsletters make money is worth a read before you set a price.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a paid Substack from the UK?
Yes. Stripe's global page lists the United Kingdom as a supported country with no Extended network or Preview label, and Substack runs paid subscriptions through Stripe.
Does Substack show prices in pounds?
Substack's localized pricing list includes the British pound. It's on by default, and you can turn it off under Settings and then Payments.
What does Stripe charge UK publishers on a card payment?
Stripe's UK pricing page lists UK standard cards at 1.5% + 20p, UK premium cards at 2.8% + 20p, European Economic Area cards at 2.5% + 20p and international cards at 3.15% + 20p. Substack's 10% fee comes on top.
Are in-app purchases available for a UK publication?
Substack says in-app purchases are available for publications whose Stripe accounts are based in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and most of the European Union.
Do I need to register for VAT on Substack income?
GOV.UK says you must register if your taxable turnover for the last 12 months goes over 90,000 pounds, and you can register voluntarily below that. Ask a UK accountant how it applies to you.
