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Can you buy a press card? What your money really pays for

You cannot buy the status of a journalist – but you can pay a fee for a press card if you already work journalistically. With the FJA press card, the €95 pays for the review of your application, production, verification and support. If you do not meet the requirements, we decline the order and refund you in full.

“Buy a press card” is a common search, and the answer depends on the seller. Some sites sell cards to anyone, no questions asked; reputable issuers charge a fee but check who they issue cards to. Here is how to tell the difference.

Apply for your press card Check the requirements

At a glance

Price: €95 for 12 months · €150 for 24 months · €180 for 36 months
Delivery: Printed and posted 14–18 working days after payment; postage to the UK €6.99
Who can apply: Adults (18+) who work journalistically on a regular basis – staff, freelance or part-time
Checks: Every application is reviewed before printing; full refund if we decline it
Verification: QR code on the card links to a live verification page

What the fee for a press card covers

Breaking down the €95.

Review

Every application is checked before printing; we ask for examples where needed.

Production and post

A durable PVC card in standard ID format, personalised with your details and photo.

Verification

A personal card number and QR code linked to a verification page for the card’s validity.

What no money can buy

Be wary of anyone who claims otherwise.

Access to events, cordons or Parliament
Accreditation – organisers decide
Free tickets, discounts or parking rights
Immunity from police directions

Official or state status – there is no state press card in the UK
The UK Press Card – only through UKPCA gatekeepers
The right to call yourself a journalist without doing journalism

Reputable issuer or card mill?

Five questions to ask before you pay anyone.

Question	Reputable issuer	Card mill
Is the issuer named, with address and contact?	Yes	Often anonymous
Is your application checked?	Yes, with refund if declined	No – anyone pays, anyone gets a card
Can the card be verified?	Hotline, register or QR code	No
Are limits stated honestly?	Yes – no access or discount promises	“VIP access”, “free entry”, “official”
Is there an age limit?	Yes (FJA: 18+)	Often none

Buying vs applying for the UK Press Card

The UK Press Card is never “bought”.

UK Press Card gatekeepers charge fees or include the card in membership, but every card is issued only after the gatekeeper checks eligibility under the UKPCA scheme rules. If you are a professional newsgatherer, that is the route to take – see the UK Press Card explained and NUJ press card. If you are not, the FJA card is an honest alternative – see press card comparison.

What happens after you order

Paying for the FJA card starts a check – it does not buy the card automatically.

Order and payment

You fill in the card designer, upload your photo, confirm the declaration and pay. Your order is then queued for review.

Review before printing

We check your age, your details and your journalistic work. If something is missing, we ask by email. If we decline, you get a full refund.

Printing and postage

Approved cards are printed and posted. Delivery usually takes 14–18 working days after payment; postage to the UK costs €6.99.

Verification

Once your card is issued, anyone can scan the QR code to check its validity on the card’s verification page – see how verification works.

Paying from the UK or the US

A few practical points for buyers outside the eurozone.

Prices are in euros

The FJA card costs €95 for 12 months, €150 for 24 months or €180 for 36 months, including VAT. Your bank or card provider converts the amount into pounds or dollars.

Check foreign transaction fees

Some UK and US cards charge a fee for payments in euros. If yours does, a card without such fees or PayPal may be cheaper. The exchange rate is set by your payment provider, not by us.

Invoices and records

You receive an invoice for your order. Keep it with your business records if you work as a freelancer – whether the cost is tax-deductible depends on your situation, so ask HMRC or an accountant if unsure.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a press card online?

You can apply and pay online for an association press card such as the FJA card, but only if you meet the requirements. Reputable issuers check applications before printing.

Can I buy a UK Press Card?

No. The UK Press Card is issued only by UKPCA gatekeepers after an eligibility check, although they may charge a fee or require membership.

What if I buy a card and do not qualify?

With the FJA card, we decline the application and refund the full price. We do not print cards for people who do not meet the requirements.

Are cheap or free press cards worth it?

Cards that are not checked or verifiable carry little weight with organisers and press officers.

Is buying a press card legal?

Paying a fee for a genuine association card is legal. Using any card dishonestly to gain an advantage can be fraud.

Why do some press cards cost more than others?

Prices reflect what stands behind the card – membership services, checks, verification and support.

Can I buy a press card as a gift for someone else?

No. Each applicant has to apply personally, with their own details, photo and journalistic work, and confirm the declaration themselves. A press card is personal and cannot be transferred.

Can I cancel after paying?

Yes. You can cancel free of charge until production of your card starts. Details are in our cancellation policy.

Is a more expensive press card better?

Not necessarily. Compare what you get: whether the issuer checks applicants, how long the card is valid, whether it can be verified online and whether membership services are included. A cheap card without any check is worth little, whatever the price.

Do I pay extra for the QR verification?

No. Verification through the QR code is included in the card price for the whole validity period.

Can my employer pay for my card?

Yes, an employer or client may pay, but the application is still personal: you enter your own details, upload your own photo and confirm the declaration yourself. The invoice can show your employer’s name if you enter it as the billing address.

Sources and last review

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Can you buy a press card? What your money really pays for

What the fee for a press card covers

Review

Production and post

Verification

What no money can buy

Reputable issuer or card mill?

Buying vs applying for the UK Press Card

What happens after you order

Order and payment

Review before printing

Printing and postage

Verification

Paying from the UK or the US

Prices are in euros

Check foreign transaction fees

Invoices and records

Frequently asked questions

Sources and last review

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