Do you pay VAT on a stairlift?

It depends on your circumstances. Disabled people pay 0% VAT on stairlifts. People aged 60+ pay 5% VAT on the supply and installation. Everyone else pays the standard 20% VAT.

Do I need proof of disability for stairlift VAT relief?

No. For 0% VAT relief, you simply sign a self-declaration form stating that you are chronically sick or disabled. No medical proof, GP letter, or registration as disabled is required.

Is stairlift servicing VAT exempt?

Only if you qualify for disability relief (0% rate). If you qualified for the reduced 5% rate as an over-60 (not disabled), subsequent repairs and servicing are charged at the full 20% VAT rate.

Stairlift VAT Relief Guide UK 2026

By Stairlift Price Watch Editorial Team Published 3 April 2026 · Updated 3 April 2026 6 min read

You may be paying more VAT on your stairlift than you need to. Depending on your circumstances, you could pay 0% VAT (saving 20%) or 5% VAT (saving 15%).

Who Qualifies for 0% VAT (Zero-Rated)

You pay 0% VAT on your stairlift if you are chronically sick or disabled. The definition is broad:

You have a long-term illness or disability
You have a physical or mental impairment that has a long-term and substantial adverse effect on your ability to carry out day-to-day activities

No proof is required. You simply sign a self-declaration form at the point of purchase. You do not need a GP letter, disability registration, or any medical evidence. Source: HMRC Notice 701/7.

Worked Example: 0% VAT Saving

Item	With 20% VAT	With 0% VAT	You Save
Straight stairlift (£2,400)	£2,400	£2,000	£400
Curved stairlift (£5,500)	£5,500	£4,583	£917

Who Qualifies for 5% VAT (Reduced Rate)

You pay 5% VAT (instead of the standard 20%) if you are aged 60 or over. This applies to the supply and installation of the stairlift.

Important conditions:

The stairlift must be supplied and installed as a single service — you cannot buy and install separately
This applies to the original installation only

Worked Example: 5% VAT Saving

Item	With 20% VAT	With 5% VAT	You Save
Straight stairlift (£2,400)	£2,400	£2,100	£300
Curved stairlift (£5,500)	£5,500	£4,813	£688

Critical Rule: Repairs and Servicing VAT

This is the detail most guides get wrong:

If you qualify for 0% VAT (disability): repairs and servicing are also zero-rated
If you qualify for 5% VAT (over-60s only): repairs and servicing are charged at the full 20% VAT rate

The reduced 5% rate for over-60s applies only to the original supply and installation, not to subsequent work. If you are over 60 and also chronically sick or disabled, claim the 0% rate instead — it covers everything.

How to Claim

At the point of purchase — tell your stairlift company you want to claim VAT relief
Sign a declaration form — they will provide this
For 0% (disability): declare that you are chronically sick or disabled
For 5% (over-60s): confirm your age

That is all there is to it. If a company tells you they need medical proof for disability VAT relief, they are wrong. Refer them to HMRC Notice 701/7.

Can VAT Relief Be Combined with Grants?

Yes. If you receive a DFG grant, you still qualify for VAT relief. The grant covers the actual cost you pay, and VAT relief reduces that cost. This means VAT relief effectively gives you more purchasing power within your grant allocation. Full grants guide.