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NUJ press card: eligibility, cost and how to apply

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) is a UK Press Card Authority gatekeeper and, by its own account, issues more than half of the UK Press Cards in circulation. It issues the card free of charge to members who are eligible under the scheme rules; membership itself costs from £18.85 a month for full members, depending on earnings.

This is an independent overview based on the NUJ’s own website (October 2026). We are not affiliated with the NUJ. If you qualify, the NUJ card is an excellent choice; if you do not, we explain the alternatives.

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At a glance

Issuer: National Union of Journalists, 72 Acton Street, London
Card type: UK Press Card (UKPCA); also IFJ International Press Card and student press card
Cost of the card: Free for eligible members (IFJ card: additional cost)
Membership: Full members £18.85–£32 a month; temporary from £6.22; students £10 a year
How to apply: Log in to the NUJ website as a member

Which cards does the NUJ issue?

Four different cards for different needs.

UK Press Card

The NUJ describes it as formally recognised by all UK police forces and de facto by other public bodies. It is issued free of charge to members eligible under the UKPCA rules; a Welsh version is available for people living and working in Wales.

IFJ International Press Card

Issued by the International Federation of Journalists through the NUJ for journalists working in foreign countries. There is an additional cost and you need a passport-style photo.

Student press card

Student members in the UK can apply for a UK student press card.

Membership card

Every member receives a membership card. The NUJ notes that it cannot be used as press accreditation.

NUJ membership types and costs

The press card is linked to membership, so membership is the real cost.

Membership type	Who it is for	Cost (UK)
Full	At least half of earned income from journalism (25% under 30); no other full-time job outside journalism	£18.85 / £23.00 / £32.00 a month by earnings grade
Temporary	Establishing yourself as a journalist; up to three years	£6.22, £13.20, £16.02 a month (years 1–3)
Associate	Full-time job outside journalism, producing factual material of public concern	£9.43 a month
Student	On a journalism course or NUS-supported student journalism	£10 a year
Under-25 discount	First-time members under 25	£6.28 a month in year one

Source: NUJ “How much will it cost?”, October 2026. A reduced contribution rate (1% rule, minimum £13 a month) exists for lower-paid full members. Temporary members who qualify for a press card receive it after one monthly payment.

How to get an NUJ press card

The steps as described by the NUJ.

Join the NUJ in the membership category that fits your work.

Log in to the NUJ website – press cards are applied for and renewed through the member login.

Apply for the card and provide what the NUJ requests to confirm eligibility under the scheme rules.

According to the London Freelance Branch, applicants need evidence of paid journalism such as invoices and must actively gather news; roles such as page designers or journalism lecturers do not qualify. Check the NUJ’s current guidance before applying.

If you are not eligible for the NUJ press card

Plenty of genuine journalists fall outside the criteria.

If journalism is not your main income, if you work mainly online or as a creator, or if you do not want to join a union, the NUJ’s UK Press Card may not be available to you. You can still join the NUJ for its other services, or apply for an association press card. The FJA press card requires no membership and no income test – you must be 18+ and publish journalism regularly. See press card without membership, part-time journalists and press card comparison.

NUJ card, FJA card – or both?

The two are not mutually exclusive. What matters is what you need in your daily work.

When the NUJ route fits best

If you work mainly as a journalist in the UK, want union support such as legal advice and representation, and need the UK Press Card for police cordons or certain events, joining the NUJ is usually the stronger choice.

When the FJA card fits best

If you report regularly but do not qualify for or do not want union membership – for example because journalism is a part-time activity or you work mainly online – the FJA card gives you a checked, verifiable ID without a subscription.

When both make sense

Some journalists keep their NUJ membership and add an FJA card, for example for work abroad or as a second form of ID. Use each card according to its issuer’s rules and never present one as the other.

Preparing an NUJ application

A little preparation makes the process smoother.

Read the membership categories on the NUJ website and choose the one that matches your work.
Collect evidence of your journalistic work: published articles, broadcasts, photos or contracts.
Have your details ready for the membership form and payment of the subscription.
If you need the UK Press Card, check the separate press card conditions and allow time for processing.
Ask your local NUJ branch or chapel if you are unsure – they can explain how membership works in practice.

For a broader view of all options, see our press card comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NUJ press card free?

The NUJ issues the UK Press Card free of charge to members who are eligible under the scheme rules. You pay the membership subscription.

How much is NUJ membership?

Full membership costs £18.85, £23.00 or £32.00 a month depending on earnings; temporary membership starts at £6.22 a month; student membership is £10 a year (NUJ, October 2026).

How do I renew my NUJ press card?

Through the member login on the NUJ website.

Can freelancers get an NUJ press card?

Yes, if they are members and eligible under the UKPCA scheme rules. Many UK Press Card holders are NUJ freelancers.

Is the NUJ card valid in Ireland?

The NUJ issues a separate Republic of Ireland press card to members in Ireland, where there is no gatekeeper system.

Is the FJA connected with the NUJ?

No. The FJA is an independent association and not connected with the NUJ.

Does the FJA card replace NUJ membership?

No. The FJA card is a press card, not a trade union membership. It does not include legal advice, representation or the other services of a union. If you need those, consider joining the NUJ or another professional body.

Sources and last review

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