Frequently Asked Questions
Effective date: May 20, 2024
About the National Carers Card
How long will my card take to arrive?
Your card will normally arrive within 10 working days after you place your application. Once we have processed your application, you will receive an email from Royal Mail containing your tracking number, which you can use to track your delivery. National Carers Cards are printed in-house at our printing facility in Suffolk. If you selected Special Delivery at checkout,
- You'll receive your card the next day if you applied Monday-Friday before 2pm
- You'll receive your card in 2 days if you applied Monday-Thursday after 2pm
- You'll receive your card the following Tuesday if you applied between Friday 2pm and Sunday.
How to get a National Carers Card?
Looking for how to get a carers card (UK)? You can apply for the UK's first National Carers Card online, through our website nationalcarerscard.org.uk. This is the only website where the National Carers Card is offered.
The application is simple, taking around ten minutes or less. You will need to have a passport-style photo ready to use on the front of your card, and a UK address to send your card to.
No documentation is required to apply for a National Carers Card at present, but you must self-certify by declaring on the application form that you look after someone who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental health condition or addiction and that they cannot cope without your support. Apply for your National Carers Card.
Who can get a National Carers Card?
Are you interested in how to prove you are a carer? Anyone, regardless of age, who cares for someone requiring assistance due to illness, frailty, disability, mental health issues, or addiction and cannot manage without support, is eligible for a National Carers Card.
This encompasses unpaid carers including family carers, friends and volunteers, as well as professional care workers who provide care anywhere in the UK.
The National Carers Card is only available to UK residents, and we deliver to all regions in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as the Channel Islands.
What does the National Carers Card cost?
The National Carers Card costs £20 (including VAT) and is valid for two years. If you care for someone who is a National Disability Card holder, you are entitled to a 25% discount on your National Carers Card (£15 instead of £20).
You have the choice to include a spare duplicate card for £10, a Verified Carer Lanyard for £5 and/or a RADAR Key for £6.90. Our standard delivery postage is £3.50.
If your application is rejected you will receive a full refund.
Which payment methods do you accept?
You can pay securely using any major debit or credit card, or using Google or Apple Pay. Payment is made online at the end of your application.
Can I renew my National Carers Card before it expires?
You can apply for a new card a few weeks before it expires to ensure you don't lose access. The new card will be valid for two years from the expiration date of the previous card. You can also renew your card at any point after it has expired. Renew your National Carers Card.
The person I care for has a National Disability Card. Can I get a discount on my National Carers Card?
Yes! We offer an exclusive 25% off the National Carers Card when you are referred by a National Disability Card holder. The National Disability Card holder will be emailed a discount code once they have applied, entitling their carer to buy the National Carers Card for £15 instead of £20. Apply for a National Disability Card.
What if my details have changed since my last card was issued?
That’s no problem; please provide your new details during the renewal process.
I want to change the name on my card but not renew it, what should I do?
To change the name on your card, please apply for a replacement card. Use your updated name when filling in the form. There is an admin charge of £10 to cover the cost of replacing your card.
How do I replace my lost, stolen, or damaged National Carers Card?
In the event that your card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can request a replacement for just £10. The expiration date on your replacement card will align with that of the original card. Request a replacement card.
How often do I need to renew my National Carers Card?
Your card comes up for renewal every two years, and you can find the expiry date printed on the front and back of your card. We'll send you a reminder before your current card expires with instructions on how to renew, or you can start your renewal here.
What is on my National Carers Card?
Your National Carers Card contains your name, date of birth and photo, which provides a quick check whenever you show your card to increase trust and confidence. It uniquely includes a prominent International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol), making it clear what you are trying to communicate - including abroad, where there's a language barrier, or with people who are unfamiliar with the scheme. Your card also features a number of high-security design features to prevent it from being copied or reproduced by someone who isn't a carer. These include highly complex patterns, backgrounds and overlays, formulated with the aid of a banknote designer. This gives venues and staff the confidence that they are providing assistance and accommodations to the people who genuinely need them.
On the back of your National Carers Card you will find your emergency contact QR code, giving access to your nominated contact without requiring a data connection.
What is the difference between the National Carers Card and other schemes?
The National Carers Card was founded in 2019 by carers who looked after a family member with a hidden disability, so we have a genuine connection to the communities we serve. The scheme was the UK's first National Carers Card. Our offices are in Suffolk, where all our cards are printed and dispatched, with no third parties involved.
We accept both professional and unpaid carers (some schemes focus on only professional carers), and we bring together both proof of carer status through our recognised physical card, as well as an amazing range of discounts from partner brands (other schemes may focus on one aspect but not both).
Our card design is completely bespoke, with unique security features, and uniquely includes the International Symbol of Access for instant global recognition. It is also printed on both sides, where some schemes only print on one side.
When it comes to free carer tickets at venues, some carer schemes also require you to show proof of disability in order to be eligible, while the National Carers Card is now increasingly accepted in its own right by a growing list of venues - without the disabled person needing to provide additional documents.
About Venues and Discounts
Is this a carers discount card?
The National Carers Card is primarily a form of easy to carry visual ID, which acts as proof of carer status and helps carers get help and understanding from those around them.
In addition, we offer card holders hundreds of discounts from our partner brands, enabling them to save potentially £100s every year, including on groceries, fashion, pharmacy, mobility aids, and holidays. We also feature exclusive discounts from No7 Beauty, Liz Earle, Not On The High Street, Kitchenaid, Nobody's Child, Karen Millen and more. Browse all our carer discounts.
Where can I use the National Carers Card?
The primary purpose of the National Carers Card is to show others that you are a carer, so you can use your card any time you would find it helpful for staff or other people to know, whether that's on public transport, at airports or at a venue or event.
You can show your card at participating venues to access free carer tickets, and your card may also be accepted at other venues, subject to each organisation's discretion. New venues are added each week, so please check our website and email newsletters for new partner announcements.
We are the only national card scheme for carers that is accepted at participating venues - without requiring the disabled person you accompany to provide additional documentation or proof of disability.
We are actively expanding our network of partners, so if you wish for your organisation to offer concessions exclusively to National Carers Card holders, please contact us. Read more about how to use your card.
Which venues accept the National Carers Card?
You can use your National Carers Card as proof of eligibility for free carer tickets at: Blenheim Palace, Churchill War Rooms, HMS Belfast Imperial War Museum Duxford, Nottingham Justice Museum, City of Caves (Nottingham), Godstone Farm Park, Clyde Valley Family Park.
You can show your National Carers Card to get half-price carer wristbands and annual passes at Adventure Island (Southend), Sealife Adventure and Funtopia Indoor Amusement Park.
At Ipswich Regent Theatre and Ipswich Corn Exchange, you can show your National Carers Card in conjunction with National Disability Card to join the Access Scheme, enabling you to get free carer tickets for performances. See all card holder benefits and discounts.
How much can I save with the National Carers Card?
Many card holders find that they easily cover the initial £20 cost of the card with savings from our partner brands. If you regularly use our discounted gift cards for your grocery shopping, takeaways, restaurant meals and coffee shop trips, plus use our exclusive discount codes for online pharmacy, accessible holidays, new clothing, birthday and Christmas gifts - not to mention savings on days out as a family with free carer tickets at a growing list of venues - your savings can easily add up to hundreds of pounds every year. See all card holder discounts.
Do carers get a discount at Disneyland Paris?
Carers can benefit from 25% off their Disneyland Paris Park Ticket as long as they travel with the person they care for (who also receives the discount) and their tickets are on the same booking. The person they accompany will need to show proof of disability, such as the National Disability Card, in order to access this concession. Read more about Disneyland Paris concessions.
How much is the Disneyland Paris carer discount?
Carers receive a 25% discount on their Disneyland Paris ticket when they travel with the person they care for (who also receives the discount) and their tickets are on the same booking. The person they care for must have a National Disability Card or other proof of eligibility and must buy tickets online.
Can the person I care for get a Disneyland Paris Priority Card?
If the person you care for is disabled, they are entitled to a Disneyland Paris Priority Card, along with the 25% off concession. They will need to show proof of disability such as the National Disability Card. The Priority Card enables the holder and an accompanying carer to get priority access to shows and attractions at the park. You can request a Priority Card online within a month before visiting, or at the entrance to the park on arrival. Read more about applying for a Disneyland Paris Priority Card.
About Lanyards and RADAR Keys
I don’t have a National Carers Card. Can I still buy a lanyard?
Our lanyards are exclusively available to card holders. This guarantees that only genuine carers can benefit from them, and from any assistance or benefits offered to the wearer.
How to get a Verified Carer Lanyard?
If you are a National Carers Card holder, you are eligible to purchase our Verified Carer Lanyard or Face Covering Exempt Lanyard. Lanyards cost just £5 each. Read more about lanyards.
I haven’t applied for a National Carers Card yet, but I intend to. Can I still buy a lanyard?
You can order a lanyard simultaneously while applying for your card. Just select the lanyard you need at the end of the application form. Your lanyard will be dispatched in the same package as your card. If your card application is refused, you will be issued a refund for both items.
I am already a card holder. How can I buy a lanyard?
If you already have a National Carers Card, order the lanyard of your choice here.
Who can get a RADAR Key?
RADAR Keys are exclusively available to National Carers Card holders or National Disability Card holders through our service. This ensures that only individuals with a genuine need for access to disabled toilets can obtain them, thereby preventing misuse and vandalism. Our RADAR Keys are £6.90 for carers. Learn more about our RADAR Key.
How can I buy a RADAR Key?
To order a RADAR Key from us, you must be either a National Carers Card holder or a National Disability Card holder. Order your RADAR Key.
About Your Login
Why do I need to login to view certain discounts?
Our partner offers are intended to make the lives of carers easier, and therefore can only be used by National Carers Card holders. We ask card holders to login to view many of our discounts in order to ensure that only those the offers are intended for can benefit from them. If your card has expired, your login will stop working.
How do I login?
If you are a National Carers Card holder, you can log in to view card holder discounts when prompted by using the unique card number printed on the front of your card. The number starts with 'UK-'. If you are not already a card holder, learn more and apply for your card.
Open Doors with the National Carers Card
Secure, easy to carry visual ID, designed exclusively by and for carers.
Login to my account
Login to view my account, plus access discounts exclusive to National Carers Cardholders.
