PRS for Music charges different registration fees depending on whether you are joining as a songwriter, a publisher, or both. The fees changed in recent years and there is a reduced rate for younger members. This guide explains the current 2026 fee structure and what you get for each membership type.
PRS membership is a one-time fee
Unlike some collecting societies, PRS for Music charges a one-time registration fee rather than an annual subscription. Once you have paid and been accepted as a member, your PRS membership does not expire and you do not pay annual fees. The fee structure differs for writers (composers and lyricists) and for publishers.
Writer membership fee (2026)
The standard PRS writer membership fee is £100. This covers composers, lyricists, and songwriters who want to register their compositions and collect performance and broadcast royalties. There is a reduced rate of £30 for members who are 18 or under at the time of application. The writer membership fee is a one-time payment — there are no annual renewal fees.
Publisher membership fee (2026)
The PRS publisher membership fee is £400. A publisher membership allows you to register as the publisher of works, claim the publisher's share of royalties (50% of the total royalty per work), and operate a label or publishing company that administers multiple writers' catalogues. If you are a self-releasing songwriter who wants to claim both the writer's share and the publisher's share of your royalties, you need both a writer membership (£100) and a publisher membership (£400) — total: £500.
What you get with each membership
- Writer membership (£100): ability to register compositions at PRS, collect writer's share of performance and broadcast royalties (50% of total royalty per work), automatic MCPS mechanical royalty collection from streaming via the OMLC, access to the PRS member portal and royalty statements.
- Publisher membership (£400): everything in writer membership plus: ability to claim the publisher's share (50%) of royalties for works you publish, ability to represent other writers as their publisher at PRS, access to publisher-level reporting and analytics, eligibility for PRS business development services.
- Both memberships (£500): full self-published songwriter setup — collect 100% of royalties from both writer and publisher shares for your own compositions.
Joining as a writer without a publisher membership
You can join as a writer only (£100) without a publisher membership. In this case, the publisher's share (50%) of your royalties sits unclaimed — it is not paid to you or to any other publisher. It effectively remains in the PRS pool and is eventually redistributed. This is the most common and most costly mistake for self-releasing songwriters. If you have no publisher or publishing administrator, you should either: join as both writer and publisher (£500 total), or engage a publishing administrator who holds the publisher membership on your behalf and claims the publisher's share for you minus their commission.
How to join PRS
Apply online at prsformusic.com/join. The application requires your personal details, an example of your work (a recording or written composition), and payment of the relevant fee. PRS reviews applications and typically approves within a few working days. Once approved, you can log into the member portal and begin registering your works.
Code Group Music holds PRS publisher membership and administers the publisher's share on behalf of our writer clients. A catalog assessment will show you exactly how much publisher's share income you may currently be leaving uncollected. Start at codegroupmusic.co.uk/#catalog-assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PRS membership tax deductible?
PRS membership fees paid in the course of your music business are generally deductible as a business expense in the UK. Consult your accountant for confirmation based on your specific tax situation.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind?
PRS's standard terms do not provide for membership fee refunds. If you have concerns about whether PRS membership is right for your situation, review the PRS website or contact their member services team before paying.
Does PRS membership automatically give me MCPS membership?
For streaming mechanicals, yes — PRS members automatically receive MCPS mechanical royalty collection through the OMLC. For physical manufacturing mechanicals (CDs, vinyl), you still need to obtain a separate MCPS licence for each physical product.
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