BullionByPost
Best dealerUK's #1 silver dealer — widest selection
- Free insured next-day delivery
- Widest UK silver selection
- CGT-free Silver Britannias
- Live pricing updates
Coins & Bars
Free next day
£40
at bullionbypost.co.uk
Why #1?
BullionByPost leads for physical silver despite the 20% VAT. Their widest selection, free delivery, and CGT-free Britannias make them unbeatable for those who want to hold silver in hand.
BullionVault
Best vault storageLowest silver vault storage fees at 0.48%/year
- Low 0.48% annual silver storage
- 5 global vault locations
- 24/7 online trading
- No VAT on vault silver
Storage (VAT-free)
0.48%/year
5 global vaults
at bullionvault.com
Why #2?
BullionVault's silver storage avoids VAT (silver in professional bonded vaults is treated differently). At 0.48%/year, it's the cheapest way to own allocated physical silver without the VAT burden.
The Royal Mint
Best for trustOfficial UK mint with DigiSilver and vault storage
- DigiSilver from £25
- The Vault™ storage
- CGT-free Britannias
- Unquestionable authenticity
Dealer + Storage
Free
£25
at royalmint.com
Why #3?
The Royal Mint offers physical purchases, DigiSilver, and vault storage. Their Silver Britannias are CGT-free, and DigiSilver avoids VAT. A complete silver investment platform from the most trusted name.
The Royal Mint Vault
Most secure vaultGovernment-backed silver storage
- Government facility security
- DigiSilver from £25
- Physical delivery option
- Full insurance
Storage
1%/year + VAT
Wales, UK
at royalmint.com
Why #4?
The Royal Mint Vault provides government-level security for silver. Higher fees than BullionVault but the trust factor of a government facility is unmatched.
Atkinsons Bullion
Best pre-ownedVAT Margin Scheme pre-owned silver saves money
- Pre-owned silver reduces VAT cost
- Highest customer rating (4.9 stars)
- 30+ years family-run
- Excellent buy-back prices
Coins & Bars
Free over £500
£100
at atkinsonsbullion.com
Why #5?
Atkinsons' pre-owned silver under the VAT Margin Scheme can reduce the effective VAT burden. With the highest customer rating and 30+ years experience, they're the value pick for physical silver.
Brinks
Best securityWorld-class vault security for silver holdings
- LBMA-approved London vaults
- World-leading security
- Handles silver bulk efficiently
- Full insurance
Storage
London
Via partner
at brinks.com
Why #6?
Brinks provides institutional-grade security for silver storage, handling silver's extra bulk in their purpose-built facilities. Access through BullionVault and dealer partnerships.
Chards
Best for coinsLBMA dealer with excellent rare silver coin selection
- LBMA accredited dealer
- Excellent rare coin selection
- Expert numismatic advice
- International shipping
Coins & Bars
Free over £250
£50
at chards.co.uk
Why #7?
Chards excels for collectors seeking rare and collectible silver coins. Their LBMA accreditation adds credibility. For standard bullion, other dealers may offer better value.
Also available: UK-listed ETCs
These products are exchange-traded commodities (ETCs) listed on the London Stock Exchange. They are controlled investments, so we list them as a factual reference only — without scores, recommendations, or affiliate links. Each row links to the provider's own factsheet.
| Product | Ticker | TER | Structure | Vault | Listing | Factsheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Physical Silver ETC Physically-backed by allocated silver held in London vaults. | ISLN | 0.20% | Physically-backed ETC | London | LSE | Factsheet |
| Invesco Physical Silver ETC Physically-backed by allocated silver held in JP Morgan's London vaults. | SSLV | 0.19% | Physically-backed ETC | London (JP Morgan) | LSE | Factsheet |
| WisdomTree Physical Silver Long-running physically-backed silver ETC (launched 2007). | PHAG | 0.49% | Physically-backed ETC | London (HSBC) | LSE | Factsheet |
Factual product reference. Order does not imply a ranking or recommendation. All products listed are physically-backed exchange-traded commodities (ETCs) listed on the London Stock Exchange. Capital is at risk; consult each provider's factsheet and KIID before investing. This information is not personal advice or a financial promotion under section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Quick answer
UK investors typically reach silver through three routes: physical coins and bars (subject to 20% VAT but with CGT-free Britannias available), allocated storage in professional vaults, or UK-listed silver ETCs held inside an ISA or SIPP. Dealers and vault providers are ranked from direct testing. UK-listed ETCs are controlled investments and are listed factually only — not ranked or recommended.
How we test & rank
Dealers and vault providers are scored on pricing (including VAT), delivery, security, service and transparency. UK-listed silver ETCs are recorded factually with TER, ticker, structure and vault — no score is applied and the order does not imply a ranking.
Summary
Physical silver, vault storage and ETCs each suit different needs. CGT-free Silver Britannias (despite the 20% VAT) make sense for long-term holders. Bonded vaults sidestep VAT on larger allocations. ETCs offer pure price exposure inside an ISA or SIPP. The ETC section below is a factual reference, not advice or a financial promotion.
Frequently asked questions
How do UK investors typically buy silver?
Three routes: physical coins and bars from a UK dealer (with CGT-free Silver Britannias available, though all physical silver carries 20% VAT), allocated bonded-vault storage that sidesteps VAT, or UK-listed silver ETCs held inside an ISA or SIPP.
How does UK VAT affect silver investment choices?
Physical silver coins and bars attract 20% VAT in the UK, unlike investment gold. ETCs and silver held in professional bonded vaults are not subject to that 20% on purchase. Silver Britannias remain a popular physical option because they are CGT-free as legal tender — the absence of CGT on gains can offset the upfront VAT for long-term holders.
Is this page a recommendation to buy any silver ETC?
No. The ETC section is a factual product reference. It does not rank, score or recommend any UK-listed silver ETC, and it is not a financial promotion under section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. If you want a personal recommendation, speak to a regulated financial adviser.
Quick comparison
| # | Option | Score | Rating | Delivery | Min order | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BullionByPost Best dealer | 9.8 | 4.8 | Free next day | £40 | Coins & Bars | Visit |
| 2 | BullionVault Best vault storage | 9.4 | 4.6 | — | — | Storage (VAT-free) | Visit |
| 3 | The Royal Mint Best for trust | 9.3 | 4.7 | Free | £25 | Dealer + Storage | Visit |
| 4 | The Royal Mint Vault Most secure vault | 9.1 | 4.7 | — | — | Storage | Visit |
| 5 | Atkinsons Bullion Best pre-owned | 9.0 | 4.9 | Free over £500 | £100 | Coins & Bars | Visit |
| 6 | Brinks Best security | 8.8 | 4.5 | — | — | Storage | Visit |
| 7 | Chards Best for coins | 8.7 | 4.6 | Free over £250 | £50 | Coins & Bars | Visit |
Scores out of 10 based on our testing. Ratings reflect verified customer reviews.