Broadband voucher scheme in Scotland: what is changing
The Scottish Government has said its broadband voucher scheme will close to new applications on 20 November 2026. If you live somewhere with slow broadband and have been meaning to look into it, the clock is now running.
This is the Do-Nothing Default with a date attached. Put it off, and the broadband voucher scheme may simply be gone by the time you get round to it.
Key takeaways
- The broadband voucher scheme closes to new applications on 20 November 2026.
- Requests sent in before that date will still be processed, and existing connections and approved applications are unaffected.
- The scheme offers a subsidy of up to £5,000 for eligible properties, covering direct installation costs by a registered supplier.
- You are likely to be eligible only if your speed is under 30Mbps and no superfast upgrade is planned for your area.
What does the broadband voucher scheme cover?
The broadband voucher scheme pays a subsidy of up to £5,000 for eligible properties. According to the Scottish Government, it covers all direct installation costs carried out by a registered supplier.
That is a ceiling, not a promise. What your property actually qualifies for depends on the quote from the supplier and the type of connection they propose.
Around 30 suppliers are registered with the broadband voucher scheme, and the Scottish Government says the type of connection they can provide often depends on your location. Options it describes include fibre to the premises, fixed wireless, fixed wireless over 4G or 5G, and satellite.
Who can still apply for the broadband voucher scheme?
Your home or business could be eligible if both of these are true, according to the Scottish Government:
- Your current broadband connection speed is less than 30Mbps.
- There are no plans for a superfast connection in the R100 contracts or commercial build for your address.
The Scottish Government has an address checker on its broadband voucher scheme page, so you can see whether your property is likely to qualify. It is the quickest first step, and it costs nothing.
Eligibility is judged on the speed you get now and on what is already planned for your area. A neighbour on a better connection, or an upgrade already on the way to your street, can change the answer for you.
One change to know about: applications are still open for individual properties, but applications for multiple properties using a gigabit capable connection have been paused since 19 August 2024. Applications for multiple properties using a superfast connection can still be submitted.
What happens to applications already in the broadband voucher scheme?
Voucher requests submitted before 20 November will continue to be processed against the scheme’s eligibility rules. The Scottish Government also says existing connections and approved applications are unaffected.
In comments reported by ISPreview, a Scottish Government spokesperson said that until the closing date, it will only accept fully costed projects that have confirmed beneficiary sign up. The supplier then has up to 12 months to fulfil the voucher request.
So a rough idea is not enough. You need a supplier, a costed project and everyone involved signed up, which is why it is worth starting well before the final week.
Why is the broadband voucher scheme closing?
The Scottish Government says the decision follows a review of market conditions. It points to substantial growth in commercial broadband availability, including full fibre, fixed wireless, mobile and satellite services.
ISPreview, which reported the closure, adds that the scheme has helped provide more than 6,000 connections since 2020. Separately, the UK Government closed its own Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme to new projects in September 2026. Public build programmes are also now reaching more remote homes.
The Scottish Government’s own line is that affordable superfast broadband is now available across Scotland. If that does not match what you get at home, the checks below are worth doing before the deadline.
What to check before the broadband voucher scheme closes
- Test your speed. The broadband voucher scheme is aimed at homes under 30Mbps, so run a few tests at different times of day and keep the results.
- Use the address checker. It tells you whether your property looks eligible and whether upgrades are already planned for your area.
- Talk to a registered supplier early. A costed project is needed before the closing date, so ask for a quote and what connection type they would use.
When you ask a supplier for a quote, get the connection type, the installation cost and the timescale in writing. It also helps to ask what happens if the cost changes after the quote. Nobody enjoys finding out mid project that the numbers have moved.
If you are not eligible, you still have options. Our guide to rural broadband options covers what to try next, and our explainer on your rights under the universal service obligation sets out what you can ask for if you cannot get a decent connection.
For the UK side of the picture, see our Project Gigabit explainer. The full details of the Scottish scheme are on the Scottish Government’s broadband voucher scheme page.
If you are on a standard connection and simply paying too much, comparing deals takes a couple of minutes. Prices vary by address, so check what is available at yours.
Frequently asked questions about the broadband voucher scheme
- When does the broadband voucher scheme close?
- The Scottish Government says it closes to new applications on 20 November 2026.
- How much is the broadband voucher scheme worth?
- The subsidy is up to £5,000 for eligible properties, covering direct installation costs by a registered supplier. The actual amount depends on your quote.
- Will my existing connection be affected?
- No. The Scottish Government says existing connections and approved applications are unaffected.
- Can I apply for the broadband voucher scheme if I run a business?
- Yes, in principle. The scheme supports homes and businesses, and the same speed and eligibility rules apply. Check your address on the Scottish Government’s page.
- What if I miss the deadline?
- New applications will not be accepted after 20 November 2026. Ask your supplier about other connection options, and check whether public build plans cover your area.
Sources
- Scottish Government: Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme: the 20 November 2026 closing date, the subsidy of up to £5,000, the under 30Mbps and R100 eligibility rules, the roughly 30 registered suppliers, the connection types, the pause on multi property gigabit applications since 19 August 2024, and the line that existing connections and approved applications are unaffected.
- ISPreview: Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme closes to new UK projects: the UK Government closing its own voucher scheme to new projects in September 2026.
- ISPreview’s report on the Scottish closure: the Scottish Government spokesperson’s comments on fully costed projects and confirmed beneficiary sign up, the 12 month window for suppliers to fulfil a voucher request, and the more than 6,000 connections provided since 2020. These three points are reported by ISPreview and are not stated on the Scottish Government’s own page.
Checked 13 October 2026.
