Guidance

Using an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card as a service leaver

Find out more about the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card, including how to apply for one and what the card can do for you.

What the card can do for you

It’s the quickest and easiest way to prove your veteran status.

The card is a recognition of your service, and owning one can help you maintain a link with your service identity.

It will help you access the many services, concessions and offers that organisations make available to veterans.

How to apply

If you’ve left service since 2019, you should have received an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card when leaving.

If you left service before 2019, you can apply by clicking the button below.

Apply now

Examples of how the card can be used

You need to verify your veteran status when you:

  • get a Veterans’ Railcard, entitling you up to a third off most rail travel in England, Scotland and Wales
  • get a Defence Discount Service Card, to claim discounts in over 12,000 restaurants and shops, on the high street and online
  • access specific offers during special events, such as free travel on public transport to and from remembrance events on the weekend of Remembrance Sunday

Other ways a card can help

There are a number of military and government initiatives available to veterans where your Veteran Card may be useful. These include:

Updates to this page

Published 15 December 2023
Last updated 9 February 2024 + show all updates
  1. Added image of sample Veteran Card.

  2. Added lines on local connection test exemption for social housing allocation.

  3. Page updated to reflect card application process is now live.

  4. Added bullet 'get a Defence Discount Service Card, to claim discounts in over 12,000 restaurants and shops, on the high street and online'

  5. First published.

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