What is Breathing Space?

For people in debt who need time to get advice.

Applies to: England, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Breathing Space gives up to 60 days' protection from creditors while you get debt advice, in England and Wales. During it, creditors can't take enforcement action, contact you about the debts, or add interest or charges.

You still make your repayments.
You apply through a debt adviser. The scheme is free, but some debt advisers may charge a fee.
For people in mental health crisis treatment, it lasts the length of treatment plus 30 days.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Scotland: Check mygov.scot for Scotland
Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Up to 60 days
No interest or charges
Apply via a debt adviser

The two types of Breathing Space

	Standard Breathing Space	Mental health crisis Breathing Space
How long	Up to 60 days	Length of your crisis treatment, plus 30 days
How often	Once in any 12 months	No limit
Check-in	A review between day 25 and day 35	No midway review

For the mental health crisis version, an Approved Mental Health Professional must confirm you are getting mental health crisis treatment.

Who can get it

You can get Breathing Space if you:

live or usually live in England or Wales
owe a debt that can be included (see below)

You cannot get it if you:

have a Debt Relief Order, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement or an interim order
are an undischarged bankrupt
already have a Breathing Space
had a standard Breathing Space in the last 12 months (this does not apply to the mental health crisis version)

Which debts are covered

Most debts are included, such as credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts, arrears on utility bills and tax debts.

Some debts are left out:

secured debts, like a mortgage or hire purchase (but arrears that already exist when you apply can be included)
court fines
child maintenance
student loans
debts that came from fraud

Joint debts, like rent arrears on a joint tenancy, can be included even if only one of you applies.

How to apply

Speak to a debt adviser. You cannot apply on your own.
The adviser checks your situation and whether Breathing Space is right for you.
The adviser sends the application for you.
Your creditors are told, and the protection starts.

Free debt advice is available from Citizens Advice, and MoneyHelper lists other free debt advice services.

What you must do during Breathing Space

Keep paying your debts if you can. Breathing Space pauses enforcement, interest and charges. It does not cancel the debt.
Keep paying your ongoing bills. This includes your rent or mortgage, council tax, utility bills and insurance. If you miss these, your adviser can cancel your Breathing Space.
Work with your adviser to make a longer-term plan before it ends.

Your credit file

Starting Breathing Space should not automatically harm your credit file. No flag stays on your file after it ends. Your details go on a private register, not a public one. They are deleted 15 months after your Breathing Space ends.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Breathing Space only covers people in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own debt schemes, so speak to a debt adviser where you live.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme) (GOV.UK)
Breathing Space guidance for money advisers (Insolvency Service)

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Find a debt adviser

Common questions

How do I apply for Breathing Space?

You need to talk to a debt adviser, who will apply for you if it's the right option.

Does Breathing Space affect my credit rating?

Starting Breathing Space should not automatically affect your credit file, and no flag stays on your file after it ends.

Which debts aren't covered by Breathing Space?

Secured debts like mortgages, court fines, child maintenance, student loans and debts from fraud are not included.

How often can I use Breathing Space?

You can't use it if you've had one in the last 12 months, unless it was for a mental health crisis.

Official sources

1.Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme)www.gov.uk/options-for-dealing-with-your-debts/breathing-space
2.Breathing Space guidance for money adviserswww.gov.uk/government/publications/debt-respite-scheme-breathing-space-guidance/debt-respite-scheme-breathing-space-guidance-for-money-advisers

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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