The Atlantic Star was instituted to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic. Six months naval service, or four months air service, in the Atlantic, or United Kingdom ('Home') waters or North Russian waters was normally required. All this service had to be after the service person's qualifying time for the 1939-1945 Star.

Personnel who served in the qualifying sea areas for all or part of the last six months of the War in Europe (10 November 1944 and 8 May 1945) and who did not subsequently serve in any other area of active operations, could be awarded the Atlantic Star for "entry into the area" and the six month or four month time qualification was waived.

Personnel qualifying for the Atlantic Star and the France and Germany Star and/or the Air Crew Europe Star were awarded the first star they qualified for, and a clasp in respect of the second (and third) star.