Short answer: the Life in the UK test, often called the citizenship test, costs £50 per attempt. You pay by debit or credit card when you book through GOV.UK. It is separate from Home Office application fees, and it is refunded only if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before your test.
The £50 test fee
GOV.UK lists the test at £50, and the Home Office fee table for 8 April 2026 keeps it at £50. It is the same fee whether you need the test for settlement or for British citizenship, and you only need to pass it once.
You pay when you book, by debit or credit card, on the official booking service that GOV.UK’s Start now button opens. If a website asks for more than £50 for a standard test, you are not on the official service. Our page on the official booking site explains how to check.
Optional extras
The official service sells these on top of the £50 fee. None of them is required.
| Extra | What you get | Extra fee |
|---|---|---|
| Super Priority | A slot within 24 hours | £30 |
| Short notice | A slot within the next 24 to 72 hours | £25 |
| Out of hours | A weekday slot outside 10am to 4pm | £25 |
| Sunday test | A Sunday slot, where available | £25 |
The quickest saving is to book at least 3 days ahead, at a standard time.
Refunds and retakes
GOV.UK says you get the £50 back if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before your test, or if the test centre cancels (ask PSI within 3 months of the test date). You do not get a refund if you:
- cancel or rearrange within 72 hours of the test
- were ill or late
- brought the wrong ID or documents
- refused to have your photo taken
A fail is not refunded either. GOV.UK says you can book again as many times as you need, and you pay £50 each time. Two failed attempts and a pass cost £150 in test fees alone.
Home Office application fees in 2026
The test fee is the smallest part of the bill. These are the adult fees in the Home Office table from 8 April 2026:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Life in the UK test | £50 per attempt |
| Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), per person | £3,226 |
| Naturalisation as a British citizen | £1,709 |
| Citizenship ceremony | £130, added to the application fee |
Settlement route: test (£50) + ILR (£3,226) = £3,276 in Home Office fees.
Citizenship after settlement: naturalisation (£1,709) + ceremony (£130) = £1,839, with no second test fee if you have already passed.
Most applicants also need to prove their English, which is a separate requirement with its own fee set by the test provider. Legal advice, translations and private ceremonies add more. Fees change, so confirm them on GOV.UK before you pay.
How to avoid unnecessary costs
- Pass first time. Every retake is another £50 and another wait for a slot. Book when you are scoring 20 or more out of 24 on full mock exams.
- Book ahead. Booking at least 3 days in advance, at a standard time, avoids the optional extra fees.
- Use the official service only. Third-party sites that book for you can charge well above £50.
- Study for free. GOV.UK says the questions come from the official handbook. Free practice, like LITUK’s topic pages and mock exams, can be enough if you study consistently.
Key Facts
- Life in the UK test: £50 per attempt, paid by card when you book on GOV.UK
- Refund only if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before the test
- Optional extras: £25 short notice or Sunday, £30 within 24 hours
- ILR application: £3,226 per person (from 8 April 2026)
- Naturalisation: £1,709, plus a £130 citizenship ceremony fee
- Each failed attempt adds another £50
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Life in the UK test cost in 2026?
£50 per attempt, paid by debit or credit card when you book through GOV.UK. If you fail, the fee is not refunded and each retake costs another £50.
Is the citizenship test the same as the Life in the UK test?
Yes. People often call the Life in the UK test the citizenship test. It is the same £50 test whether you are applying for settlement or British citizenship, and you only need to pass it once.
Is the Life in the UK test fee included in the citizenship fee?
No. The £50 test fee is paid when you book the test. Settlement and citizenship application fees are paid separately to the Home Office.
Can I get a refund on the Life in the UK test?
Yes, if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before your test, or if the test centre cancels. GOV.UK says there is no refund if you cancel within 72 hours, were ill or late, brought the wrong ID or refused your photo.
How much does British citizenship cost after the test?
For adults, the 8 April 2026 Home Office fee table lists naturalisation at £1,709 and the citizenship ceremony at £130, which is added to the application fee.
Do I need to pay for a course to pass?
Not necessarily. If you study consistently, review mistakes and pass mock exams before booking, free preparation may be enough.
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