Membership minimum price increase - FAQs
The cost of saving nature is soaring. We’re answering your questions about our minimum membership rate rises.
As an RSPB member, your commitment and generosity are a vital part of our mission to protect habitats, save birds and help to end the nature and climate emergency. Thank you so much for your ongoing support; we couldn’t do our work without you.
In a time of soaring costs, updating our pricing means we can ensure that the RSPB and its members remain a powerful force for nature – keeping birds in our skies for generations to come.
Why are we raising our membership rates?
Despite doing all we can to work as efficiently as possible, inflation has seen our costs rise by 29% since 2020. Whether it’s building boardwalks, constructing paths, cutting reeds, monitoring nesting sites or heating our visitor centres, everything has become more expensive.
This includes our wider scale conservation and advocacy work. Without raising our membership prices, we’d struggle to fund projects like the transformation of Wallasea Island into a thriving wetland. Similarly, our ability to push for nature-positive policies, such as the ban on industrial sandeel fishing – a lifeline for Puffins and Kittiwakes – would be limited.
From time to time, we are required to review our rates in line with our Charter and Statutes, and where necessary are permitted to increase our fees to enable us to continue delivering vital conservation work and fight for a brighter future for nature.
Who is affected by this price increase?
Anyone becoming a member for the first time will pay the new minimum rates from 1st April 2026.
If you are an existing member who is paying less than these new minimum rates, you will be subject to a small increase when you are next due to renew.
A large number of our members kindly donate more than these minimum rates already and will not receive an increase at this time.
What does it mean for you?
We know that price rises can be challenging and we want membership to remain accessible to as many people as possible.
If you are currently paying less than the new minimum rate, we will phase in the increase over three years, balancing the impact on existing members with the need to continue our vital work for birds and nature.
For most, an increase of around 10% will come into effect at your next renewal. That’s about 50p a month on average in the first year, and we’ll be in touch around one month before your renewal date to make sure you know what to expect. We’ll continue with these small increases in future years gradually bringing everyone up to the new minimum membership subscription levels.
What do you need to do?
Nothing! Your membership rate will remain the same until your next renewal period. In advance of your renewal date, you’ll receive an email from us confirming your new membership pricing, and a follow-up renewal pack explaining the changes alongside your new membership card/s.
FAQs
We’ve answered some frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, email our Supporter Services team who will be happy to help.
Why are you increasing the minimum membership rates?
The cost of our work to protect birds and their habitats has risen significantly over recent years. From wetland waders like Avocets, to seabirds like Puffins, protecting birds today costs more than ever before. We are therefore introducing a modest rise in membership fees for anyone paying under the new minimum – the first in several years.
Increasing the minimum price for both new and existing members means we can continue to make a positive difference for birds and nature, in a more sustainable way.
Membership of the RSPB is governed by the RSPB Charter and Statutes. These rules allow the RSPB to increase our minimum rates when necessary to fund our charitable activities. From time to time, we need to adjust rates to make sure we can continue delivering our services and meeting our responsibilities to birds and nature. Any changes are made carefully and in line with our Charter and Statutes.
When will the new minimum price take effect?
The new minimum membership rates will take effect from 1 April 2026.
If your membership renews before this date, you will pay the current rate. If it renews on or after this date, the new rate will apply.
What are the new prices?
The new minimum monthly prices are:
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Adult – £6
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Two adults – £7
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Family (two adults and up to five children) – £8
Youth membership prices remain unchanged at this time.
How do the new prices affect me?
How the new prices affect you will depend on a few things:
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when you joined
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the type of membership available at that time (either a fixed price or a flexible rate with a minimum amount)
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how much you are currently paying compared with the new minimum rates
When your membership next renews, we will let you know if you need to increase your payment and by how much. Depending on your usual renewal month (you can find this on your membership card), it could be up to 12 months before any price change takes effect for you.
If you currently have a Flexible membership and are paying less than the new minimum amount, your payment will increase gradually. We will phase in the difference over three years so that the change is manageable.
At your next renewal, you are likely to be asked to pay around 10% more, which for most members would be about 50p extra per month.
For example, if you are currently paying £1 less than the new minimum, your payment would not increase straight to the full new minimum. Instead, the increase would normally be spread over the three-year phasing period.
Good to know: Nothing will change until you receive your renewal email and pack. Until then, you can continue to enjoy all your membership benefits and the work you support to help birds and nature.
I’ve just renewed - will my price increase now?
No. If you’ve recently renewed, you will continue to pay your current rate until your next renewal date.
Will there be any changes to my membership benefits?
No. Your membership benefits will remain unchanged. You still have unlimited access to over 170 nature reserves, a regular magazine and access to events online or on our reserves.
What are my options if I can’t afford the increase?
We’re committed to maintaining an inclusive approach and enabling as many people as possible to enjoy nature and the benefits of an RSPB membership. If you’re concerned about affordability please contact our Supporter Services team, who will be happy to discuss the options.
What happens if I don’t want to renew?
We’d be sad to see you go, but we do understand that circumstances change. Your renewal pack will include information about what to do if you don’t wish to continue as an RSPB member.
If you have any questions after receiving it, our Supporter Services team will be happy to help.
Can I cancel?
If you wish to cancel your membership, you can do so by contacting our Supporter Services team after you have received your renewal reminder, and they will guide you through the process. Your renewal information will include the final date for cancellation.
Do I need to do anything?
You don’t need to take any action until you receive your renewal pack. This will include all the information you need, including how the price increase affects you personally, and what your new payment amount will be.
When was the last minimum membership fee increase?
We last increased the minimum rates for Flexible membership for our new members in 2020, and last year we introduced a small additional charge for a second adult member. We have worked hard to keep prices stable despite rising costs, but we now need to increase them for the first time for our existing Flexible members to ensure we can continue our work in line with our Charter and Statutes.
I recently reduced my membership amount and I am now below the new advertised minimum amount. Will I be subject to this increase?
Over the next 3 years starting from 1 April 2026, we will gradually be bringing all members up to the new minimum rate. If you are paying below the new minimum rate you will receive an initial increase of around 10% at the time of your usual renewal date. If you would like to discuss alternative ways you can support the RSPB to suit different budgets, please contact Supporter Services.