Struggling with debt? Find out your options in 60 seconds.
Millions of people across England and Wales are dealing with unmanageable debt — but structured legal solutions exist. We connect you with FCA-authorised specialists who can help.
problem debt
per UK household
in England and Wales
with no credit impact
Your debt. Your decision.
Our job is to inform.
Go Debt Free is a specialist UK platform that helps people understand every structured debt solution available under UK law. We are not a financial adviser — we do not tell you what to do. But we give you the knowledge, the tools, and the right regulated introduction to make the best decision for your circumstances.
Completely impartial information
We cover all four UK debt solutions equally — no vested interest, no agenda. Just honest, balanced information.
Plain-English guides and resources
Our articles and comparison tools are written for real people — not financial professionals. No watered-down content.
Introductions to FCA-authorised specialists
When you are ready, we connect you with a regulated provider who can assess your full situation and explain every option.
Every UK debt solution, clearly explained
There is no single answer to debt. The right path depends on your income, assets, type of debt owed, and long-term priorities. Here is every option available under current UK law — with links to full guides for each.
IVA
A legally binding agreement to repay a proportion of your unsecured debts over five to six years. Interest is frozen on approval. Any remaining eligible balance is legally written off once you complete the arrangement.
Formal · 5 to 6 years Full IVA guideDMP
An informal arrangement that consolidates your debts into one affordable monthly payment shared among your creditors. There is no court involvement and no legal binding — offering far more flexibility than a formal solution.
Informal · Flexible duration Full DMP guideDRO
For people with low income, minimal assets, and total debts under £30,000. Enforcement is paused for 12 months. If your financial situation has not improved at the end of that period, all listed debts are written off — at a government-set cost of just £90.
Low income · 12 months Full DRO guideBankruptcy
A formal legal process that clears debts you cannot realistically repay. Typically lasts 12 months, after which remaining unsecured debts are discharged. Carries significant consequences for assets, credit, and certain employment types — understand these fully before considering this route.
Legal process · Lasting impact Full bankruptcy guideHow Go Debt Free actually works
We are a platform and an introducer — not an adviser. We give you the knowledge to understand your situation, then connect you with a regulated specialist when you are ready. No pressure. No agenda.
Understand your situation
Browse our guides, comparison tools, and articles to learn what each solution means in practice — the duration, legal implications, credit impact, asset considerations, and how it will affect your day-to-day life. Take as long as you need.
Submit your enquiry
Complete the short form at the top of this page. We will ask about your debt level, employment, and basic contact details. No credit check is carried out at this stage — and there is no obligation to proceed with anything.
Speak to a regulated specialist
We introduce you to an FCA-authorised debt solutions provider. They carry out a personalised assessment of your situation and walk you through every option in plain English. What you do next is entirely your choice.
Go Debt Free is not FCA-authorised and does not provide financial advice. We act solely as an introducer and may receive a referral fee.
You may benefit from speaking to a specialist if...
These are common indicators that a debt solution could apply to your situation. A regulated adviser will always carry out a full assessment before recommending anything.
You are falling behind on repayments
Regularly missing payments, using credit to cover other credit, or relying on overdrafts each month — these are clear signs your situation needs addressing.
Your debts are primarily unsecured
Credit cards, personal loans, store cards, payday loans, and overdrafts are covered by most formal solutions. Mortgages and secured loans are generally treated separately.
You are based in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland
IVA, DMP, DRO, and Bankruptcy apply across these regions. Scotland has its own separate insolvency legislation.
Your total unsecured debt is £5,000 or more
Most formal solutions require a minimum balance. The appropriate solution depends on the total owed, number of creditors, and your monthly income after essential outgoings.
This is a guide only — not a guarantee of eligibility. Final eligibility is always determined by a regulated, FCA-authorised provider following a thorough personal financial assessment.
IVA vs DMP vs DRO vs Bankruptcy — the full breakdown
Not all debt solutions work the same way. This table compares every factor that matters — duration, cost, legal standing, asset protection, and long-term impact on your life.
| Factor | IVAIndividual Voluntary Arrangement |
DMPDebt Management Plan |
DRODebt Relief Order |
BankruptcyCourt insolvency procedure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Formal, legally binding | Informal, non-binding | Formal, legally binding | Formal court procedure |
| Duration | Typically 5 to 6 years | Varies — often 5 to 10 years | 12 months moratorium | Usually 12 months (some restrictions last longer) |
| Min. debt | Typically £6,000 across at least two creditors | No formal minimum | Under £30,000 in total | No minimum — but court fees of £680 apply |
| Income needed? | Yes — to fund monthly contributions | Yes — for ongoing payments | No — surplus must be under £50/month | Not required — but assets will be assessed |
| Asset protection | Home equity may be considered in year 5 | Assets generally unaffected | Assets must be under £2,000 to qualify | Property and valuables can be seized |
| Debt written off? | Yes — remaining balance cleared on completion | No — full balance repaid (interest often frozen) | Yes — all listed debts cleared after 12 months | Yes — remaining debts discharged after 12 months |
| Credit file impact | 6 years from registration date | Defaults recorded — up to 6 years from default date | 6 years from registration date | 6 years from adjudication date |
| Creditor contact stopped? | Yes — legal protection on approval | Often informal — creditors can still contact you | Yes — legal moratorium applies | Yes — court protection stops all enforcement |
| Employment impact | Some regulated roles (financial services, law) may be affected | Generally no employment impact | May restrict some roles — check your contract | Significant restrictions across many professions |
| Fees | IP fees deducted from monthly contributions — not paid upfront | Minimal — small monthly admin fee with some providers | £90 government-set application fee | £680 government-set court fee |
| Interest frozen? | Yes — immediately on IVA approval | Often — depends on creditor agreement, not guaranteed | Yes — during the moratorium period | Yes — all enforcement ceases on application |
| Public record? | Yes — listed on the Insolvency Register | No public record | Yes — listed on the Insolvency Register | Yes — listed on the Insolvency Register |
| Good for homeowners? | Possible — equity release clause in year 5 must be understood | Yes — DMP does not affect your property | No — homeowners typically do not qualify | Not recommended — your home may be at risk |
Source: Insolvency Service UK and Money Helper. For guidance purposes only — not a substitute for regulated professional advice.
Understand where you stand before speaking to anyone
Our tools give you a clear picture of your financial situation privately — with no personal data shared and no commitment of any kind until you are ready to proceed.
Eligibility Checker
Answer eight short questions about your debts, income, employment, and assets. Get an instant initial indication of which solutions may apply to you — with no credit impact whatsoever and no data shared at this stage.
Start the checkerBudget Calculator
Map your monthly income against all outgoings — bills, food, transport, childcare, and debt repayments. See your actual disposable income — a key factor in determining eligibility for most formal solutions.
Open calculatorDebt Breakdown Tool
Enter each debt individually — lender, balance, interest rate, and minimum payment. See your total owed, total monthly interest charged, and how long it would take to clear everything at your current rate.
Break it downGuides and insights from Go Debt Free
Who qualifies for an IVA in the UK? A complete 2025 eligibility guide
An IVA is one of the most widely used debt solutions in England and Wales — but it is far from right for everyone. This in-depth guide covers the income thresholds, asset rules, creditor voting requirements, and minimum debt levels you must understand before approaching an insolvency practitioner.
Read guide
IVA vs DMP — which is right for you?
Formal versus informal. Legally binding versus flexible. Debt write-off versus full repayment. This guide explains the critical differences using real-world scenarios.
Read guide
Life after an IVA — rebuilding your credit score step by step
Many people are surprised by how quickly their finances can recover after completing an IVA. This guide explains the timeline and the practical steps to take from day one.
Read guide
Who qualifies for a Debt Relief Order in 2025? The full criteria explained
The DRO threshold rose to £30,000 in 2024. This guide covers the updated eligibility rules, the assets test, and which debts are included — and which are excluded.
Read guideFrequently asked questions
Everything you want to know before taking the next step — answered clearly, without jargon.
Find out which solutions may apply to you
Under 60 seconds. No credit impact. No obligation to proceed. We connect you only with FCA-authorised specialists — your details are never sold to third parties.
- No impact on your credit score to enquire
- Introductions to FCA-authorised firms only
- No obligation to proceed at any stage
- Your details are handled in complete confidence
- We never sell your data to third parties
Check my eligibility
Quick, confidential, and no obligation at all.
Go Debt Free may receive a referral fee. This does not affect the service you receive from any regulated firm.