The government laid an amendment to the Railways Bill on 9 November 2026 that would put rail discounts for veterans and service personnel into law. A Veterans Railcard costs £35 for 1 year or £80 for 3 years and takes one third off most fares for the holder and a named companion.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED 10 NOVEMBER 2026
- An amendment to the Railways Bill, laid on 9 November 2026, would give rail discounts for veterans and service personnel statutory protection for the first time.
- A Veterans Railcard costs £35 for 1 year or £80 for 3 years.
- It takes one third off most fares for the holder and one named companion, and 60% off for up to 4 children.
- Anyone with at least 1 day of service in the UK Armed Forces, Regular or Reserve, qualifies.
- In May 2026 the government had said a statutory duty for the two railcards was not needed.
Veterans Railcard at a glance
| Item | Detail |
| 1-year price | £35 |
| 3-year price | £80 |
| Discount | One third off most fares |
| Children | 60% off, up to 4 |
| Eligibility | At least 1 day of UK Armed Forces service |
Source: National Rail: Veterans Railcard
KEY FACTS
- Announced: 9 November 2026, written statement to Parliament by Lord Hendy, Department for Transport (GOV.UK).
- Veterans Railcard price: £35 for 1 year, £80 for 3 years (National Rail).
- Discount: one third off for the holder and a named companion, 60% off for up to 4 children (National Rail).
- Average saving across all Railcard holders: around £303 a year, April 2025 to March 2026, before the price of the card (National Rail).
- HM Forces Railcard: £21 a year for serving personnel and their spouses or civil partners (Ministry of Defence).
What the government announced on 9 November 2026
On 9 November 2026 Lord Hendy, Minister of State at the Department for Transport, made a written statement to Parliament on the Railways Bill. The statement says the government has laid an amendment to the Railways Bill that puts rail discounts for veterans and service personnel on a statutory footing. According to the statement, these discounts had no statutory protection before, while discounts for young, elderly and disabled passengers already had protection in law.
The statement describes the discounts as one third off most rail fares. It links the amendment to the creation of Great British Railways, the body the Railways Bill sets up. The statement also says the government has recently expanded free rail travel for a bereaved military family member attending Remembrance events.
The statement was published two days before Armistice Day on 11 November 2026. The statement gives no date for when the amendment will be debated or when it would take effect.
A change of position since May 2026
A petition asking for a statutory duty to keep the Veterans Railcard and the HM Forces Railcard was presented to the House of Commons on 27 April 2026 by Alicia Kearns MP. In observations published in Hansard on 13 May 2026, Lord Hendy said the government did not think a statutory duty on the Secretary of State was needed for the two railcards.
The same observations said the Railways Bill already gave a sound legal basis for concessionary fare schemes and that the government had no plans to withdraw either railcard. The amendment laid on 9 November 2026 goes further by writing protection for the discounts into the Bill.
Veterans Railcard: price, discount and who qualifies
A Veterans Railcard costs £35 for 1 year or £80 for 3 years, according to National Rail. National Rail states that the 3-year Railcard is £25 cheaper than buying three 1-year Railcards. The holder gets one third off rail fares across Great Britain, and one named adult companion gets one third off when travelling with the holder. The named companion cannot be changed after purchase. Up to 4 children travelling with the holder get 60% off.
Anyone who has served at least 1 day in the UK Armed Forces, Regular or Reserve, is eligible, according to National Rail. UK Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations are also eligible. A £12 minimum fare applies to travel before 10am from Monday to Friday. The minimum fare does not apply to Advance tickets, on public holidays or in July and August. The discount covers Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance tickets. Season tickets and Eurostar tickets are not included.
When the Veterans Railcard was announced on 24 January 2020, the government said more than 830,000 veterans were not covered by existing discounts.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1-year Railcard | £35 |
| 3-year Railcard | £80 |
| Holder | One third off |
| One named adult companion | One third off when travelling with the holder |
| Children | 60% off for up to 4 children travelling with the holder |
| Minimum fare | £12 for travel before 10am, Monday to Friday |
| Minimum fare does not apply | Advance tickets, public holidays, July and August |
| Where it is valid | Great Britain |
Source: National Rail: Veterans Railcard
HM Forces Railcard for serving personnel
Serving personnel use a separate card, the HM Forces Railcard. The Ministry of Defence lists the HM Forces Railcard at £21 for a year. It gives one third off most rail fares throughout Great Britain.
Members of the Regular Forces and the Volunteer Reserves are eligible, as are their spouses and civil partners. The HM Forces Railcard is for leisure travel and does not cover travel between home and a place of duty. A minimum fare applies before 10am from Monday to Friday, except in July and August.
| Veterans Railcard | HM Forces Railcard | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Anyone with at least 1 day of service in the UK Armed Forces, Regular or Reserve | Regular Forces, Volunteer Reserves and their spouses or civil partners |
| Price | £35 for 1 year, £80 for 3 years | £21 for 1 year |
| Discount | One third off | One third off most fares |
| Minimum fare | £12 before 10am, Monday to Friday | Applies before 10am, Monday to Friday, except July and August |
| Use | Leisure and other travel within the ticket rules | Leisure travel only, not travel to a place of duty |
Source: National Rail and Ministry of Defence
What one third off is worth
One third off a £60 fare brings the price to £40, a saving of £20. The worked examples are calculations from the published prices and the one third discount.
A 1-year Veterans Railcard at £35 has paid for itself once the holder has bought £105 of full-price fares. A 3-year Veterans Railcard at £80 has paid for itself once the holder has bought £240 of full-price fares over the 3 years.
National Rail says Railcard holders across all its Railcards saved around £303 a year on average from April 2025 to March 2026, before the price of the card.
| Full fare | With the Railcard | Saving |
|---|---|---|
| £30 | £20 | £10 |
| £60 | £40 | £20 |
| £105 | £70 | £35, the price of a 1-year Railcard |
| £240 | £160 | £80, the price of a 3-year Railcard |
Source: Kael Tripton calculation from National Rail prices
How to apply and the proof accepted
A Veterans Railcard can be bought online, by post or at a staffed station, and is available as a digital Railcard in the Railcard app or as a physical card. Online applications take up to 5 working days to check. Applicants provide a passport-style photo and proof of service.
Accepted proof includes the HM Armed Forces Veterans Card, a Veterans Recognition Card, a Certificate of Service and a Certificate of Discharge. A Defence Discount Service card is accepted only when it shows the wording HM Armed Forces Veteran, and digital versions are not accepted. Letters from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, the War Pension Scheme and the Armed Forces Pension are accepted.
Postal applications take up to 20 days from the date of posting.
| Document | Note |
|---|---|
| HM Armed Forces Veterans Card (MOD Form 100) | Accepted |
| Veterans Recognition (ID) Card | Accepted |
| Military identification card (MOD Form 90) | Accepted; cannot be reissued |
| Certificate of Service or Certificate of Discharge | Accepted |
| Defence Discount Service card | Only with the wording HM Armed Forces Veteran; digital versions are not accepted |
| Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Pension letters | Accepted |
| Merchant Mariner Discharge Book | With the vessel name and the operation name and date |
Source: National Rail: Veterans Railcard eligibility
RELATED GUIDES
DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Figures were correct at the last review date shown above; verify current rates and rules with the primary sources listed below before acting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Veterans Railcard?
A Veterans Railcard costs £35 for one year or £80 for three years, according to National Rail. The three year card is £25 cheaper than buying three one year cards.
Who can get a Veterans Railcard?
Anyone who has served at least one day in the UK Armed Forces, Regular or Reserve, can get a Veterans Railcard. UK Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations also qualify. Proof of service is required.
Is the Veterans Railcard being scrapped?
No. On 9 November 2026 the government laid an amendment to the Railways Bill to put discounts for veterans and service personnel into law. In May 2026 it had said there were no plans to withdraw either railcard.
Can a partner or children use a Veterans Railcard?
One named adult companion gets one third off when travelling with the holder. Up to four children travelling with the holder get 60 per cent off.
Can the Veterans Railcard be used at peak times?
Yes, it can be used on Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance tickets. A £12 minimum fare applies before 10am from Monday to Friday, except on Advance tickets, public holidays and in July and August.
SOURCES
- GOV.UK: Railways Bill veterans and service personnel amendment, written statement, 9 November 2026, accessed 10 November 2026
- Hansard: Veterans Railcard and HM Forces Railcard, petition and observations, 13 May 2026, accessed 10 November 2026
- National Rail: Veterans Railcard, accessed 10 November 2026
- National Rail: Veterans Railcard eligibility, accessed 10 November 2026
- Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy: HM Forces Railcard, accessed 10 November 2026
- Armed Forces Covenant: Veterans to get rail cards, 24 January 2020, accessed 10 November 2026
