To be eligible for admission as an In-Pensioner, a candidate must be:
1. In receipt of an Army Service or War Disability Pension for Army Service.

2. Normally be 65 years of age or over; exceptionally a candidate may be admitted between 55 and 65 if through disability he cannot earn his own living and receives a pension for an Army disability.

3. Be free from the obligation to support a wife, partner or family.

Also eligible for admission are any former soldiers aged 65 or over, and drawing Service Retired Pay awarded as a result of commissioned service in the British Army who rendered at least 12 years full-time service in the ranks over the age of 18.

Making a trial visit
When an eligible pensioner applies for admission to the Royal Hospital they are invited to come and stay for four days. The visitor arrives on a Sunday and returns home on the Wednesday. They use these four days to learn about the way of life in the hospital and whether or not it would suit them. Then Hospital also need to check that life in the hospital will suit the applicant, although it is rare for applicants meeting the criteria for entry to be refused entry.

On their four-day stay applicants stay in hospital accommodation and eat their meals with the other residents. Applicants meet the Medical Officer, Padre and The Adjutant with whom they have a lengthy interview. A few of the rules and the rank structure are explained and the applicants are given a guided tour and a potted history of the hospital.

Joining the Royal Hospital
On admission to the Hospital a Pensioner surrenders his service and/or disability pension in return for board, lodgings, clothes and medical care. Retirement and any other pensions, savings, bank accounts or investments are not surrendered.

Reverting to Out-Pensioner
An In-Pensioner may elect to leave The Royal Hospital and return to civilian life. If so, his service or disability pension are restored. Likewise any Pensioner who is discharged by the Commissioners for misconduct also has his pension restored.Any Pensioner who voluntary leaves the Royal Hospital may reapply for admission at any time. However, this is subject to vacancies and it may be necessary to repeat the admissions process.

Being a Chelsea Pensioner
Chelsea Pensioners are permitted to wear civilian clothes outside the Royal Hospital and Pensioners can come and go as they please. Within the Royal Hospital and around, Chelsea Pensioners are encouraged to wear a practical blue uniform. On all official occasions they wear the famous scarlet coats, complemented for ceremonial events by tricorne hats.

When in Scarlet, Chelsea Pensioners are immediately recognisable and are an important part of the London scene. Many home and overseas tourists like to stop, talk and admire the uniform, many even want to take a photo! Chelsea Pensioners meet an amazing range of people both inside and outside the Royal hospital. Pensioners are invited and are guests of honour at many events, ceremonies and Royal occasions.

The grounds of the Royal Hospital are magnificent and the architecture beautiful, which makes the Royal Hospital, a really pleasant place to live. The Pensioners have their own licensed club, Post Office, putting and bowling greens, croquet lawn, handicraft workshops, allotments and library.

Many active Pensioners like to help in the running of the hospital by volunteering perhaps as tour guides or helping in the museum, shop, library or Hospital.