TV Licence Guide UK (Cost, Rules, Discounts 2026)

Do You Need a TV Licence

You need a TV licence if you watch or record live television on any channel or platform (including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Virgin Media, or any other broadcaster), or if you watch or download BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. This applies regardless of the device you use - TV set, laptop, tablet, smartphone, games console, or any other device. The legal definition under the Communications Act 2003 covers "using a television receiver to receive a television programme at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is received by the general public." This means watching live football on Sky, live news on any channel, live reality shows, and watching BBC iPlayer on demand all require a licence.

You do not need a TV licence if you only watch: on-demand programmes on non-BBC services (Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, ITVX, Channel 4 on demand, All 4, My5, UKTV Play, etc. - but only if you watch them on demand and not live); catch-up TV on services other than BBC iPlayer; DVDs, Blu-rays, or streaming services that do not include live or BBC iPlayer content; and online videos on YouTube, TikTok, or other sharing platforms (unless they are being streamed live from a traditional broadcaster). If you do not watch live TV or BBC iPlayer at all, you can legally watch on-demand services without a licence. The licence is per household, not per person - one licence covers everyone living at the same address. However, if you live in shared accommodation (e.g., a house share), each tenant may need their own licence if they have separate tenancy agreements and separate rooms with their own TV equipment. Student halls of residence: if you live in university accommodation, you need your own licence if you watch live TV in your own room, but one licence covers the entire shared living area.

How Much a TV Licence Costs 2026

The TV licence fee for 2026 is 169.50 per year for a colour television licence, and 57.00 per year for a black-and-white licence (very few households still use black-and-white TVs). The fee is set by the government and is currently frozen for 2 years (until April 2027) as part of the BBC funding settlement. After the freeze, it is expected to rise in line with inflation. The fee is significantly lower than the average subscription cost for streaming services - Netflix Standard costs 131.88/year (10.99/month), Disney+ costs 95.88/year (7.99/month), and Amazon Prime costs 95.00/year - yet the TV licence funds eight national TV channels, 50+ local radio stations, the BBC website, iPlayer, and the World Service. By international comparison, the UK licence fee (27.87 per month) is cheaper than similar licence fees in Germany (18.36/month), France (138/year), and Japan (approx. 250/year).

If you pay by direct debit, you can spread the cost over monthly, quarterly, or annual payments. Paying annually by direct debit costs 169.50. Paying monthly by direct debit costs 14.13/month (totalling 169.56 - a small rounding). Paying quarterly by direct debit costs 42.38/quarter (totalling 169.52). You can also pay by TV Licensing payment card (available at PayPoint outlets) - this costs 169.50 but you can pay in weekly or fortnightly instalments. There is no discount for paying annually versus monthly. The fee is not means-tested - you pay the same regardless of your income, though exemptions and discounts exist for specific groups (see below). If you live in residential care or sheltered accommodation, a reduced rate of 7.50/year applies (the "accommodation for residential care" licence). The fee is VAT-exempt - no VAT is charged on the licence fee. The government reviews the licence fee every 5 years as part of the BBC Charter Review process.

TV Licence Discounts and Free Licences

Several groups are eligible for free or discounted TV licences. Over-75s: from August 2020, only over-75s who receive Pension Credit qualify for a free TV licence. Over-75s who do not receive Pension Credit must pay the full fee (169.50/year). This change affects approximately 3.5 million over-75 households - around 1.5 million receive Pension Credit and get a free licence, while 2 million do not and must pay. If you are over 75 and receive Pension Credit, TV Licensing will contact you or you can apply online at tvlicensing.co.uk. You need to renew annually confirming your Pension Credit status. Blind or severely sight-impaired: you get a 50% discount on the licence fee (84.75/year for colour). You must be registered as blind or severely sight-impaired with your local authority. Apply through TV Licensing with proof of registration.

Residential care homes: if you live in a care home or sheltered accommodation, you may qualify for a reduced fee of 7.50/year under the "accommodation for residential care" (ARC) concession. This applies if you live in certain types of residential care and are over 60 or have a disability. The care home arranges this. Students: if you are a student living away from home, you do not need a separate licence if your main address (your family home) already has a licence, as long as you only use portable equipment (a laptop, tablet, or smartphone) and the device is battery-operated (not plugged into the mains). However, if you plug the device into mains electricity, you technically need a separate licence for your student address. Many students are still covered under the main home licence in practice, but the official guidance from TV Licensing is less clear. If you live in halls of residence with separate tenancy agreements, you need your own licence for your room. Second homes and holiday homes: you need a separate TV licence for each address where you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer - your main home licence does not cover a second property. However, if you use a portable device that is not plugged in, you may be covered under your main licence (same rule as students). The FCA does not regulate TV Licensing, but the BBC (as a public body) has its own complaints procedure and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport oversees the licence fee system.

How to Pay for Your TV Licence

The easiest way to pay is by direct debit - set it up online at tvlicensing.co.uk or by phone on 0300 790 6132. You can choose annual, quarterly, or monthly payments. Monthly direct debit is the most popular option - 14.13/month, automatically taken from your bank account. If you prefer to pay by payment card, you can get a TV Licensing payment card from any PayPoint outlet and top it up weekly or fortnightly - minimum top-up is 5.00. This is good for budgeting but requires you to remember to top up. You can also pay by cheque, postal order, or credit/debit card over the phone or by post. If you buy a new TV, some retailers (currys, richer sounds, ao.com) offer the option to add a TV licence to your purchase and pay it off monthly with the TV. However, this sometimes costs more than paying TV Licensing directly because the retailer may charge interest on the credit arrangement.

If you have a direct debit and your payment fails, TV Licensing will contact you to arrange a new payment. They do not automatically cancel your licence - you have 14 days to resolve it. If you do not pay after a reminder, you risk enforcement action (see below). If you move home, you can transfer your licence to your new address free of charge by notifying TV Licensing online or by phone. Your existing licence covers you until it expires, then you renew at the new address. If you previously bought a licence by direct debit, you can also transfer the direct debit arrangement. If you are on a low income, there is no means-tested discount (unlike the energy bill support scheme Warm Home Discount), but you can spread the cost by paying weekly via a payment card. Some credit unions offer TV Licence savings schemes where you save throughout the year and TV Licensing takes the full amount when the licence is due. The government's help-to-pay schemes do not cover TV licences specifically, but Budgeting Loans from the DWP can be used for TV licence costs if you are on certain benefits (though this is not a common use). If you are struggling to pay, contact TV Licensing to agree a payment plan before the enforcement stage.

What Happens If You Watch Without a Licence

Watching live TV or BBC iPlayer without a valid TV licence is a criminal offence in the UK. If TV Licensing detects unlicensed viewing, the process is: initial warning letter (you will receive a letter advising you to buy a licence or confirm you do not need one); reminder letters (further letters threatening enforcement if no response); a visit from an enforcement officer (TV Licensing employs approximately 1,000 field officers who visit addresses where no licence is registered - they do not have the right to enter your home without a warrant, but they can observe through windows and use detection equipment); a formal caution (if they have evidence of unlicensed use, you may be offered a formal caution); and prosecution (magistrates' court, maximum fine of 1,000 per offence plus costs and potential criminal record).

In 2024/25, approximately 60,000 people were prosecuted for TV licence evasion, and the average fine was about 250 plus costs. Prosecution rates are highest in areas with lower detection rates (because TV Licensing focuses enforcement efforts there). Detection: TV Licensing operates detection vans that can detect the electromagnetic signal from a television receiver - though the technology's effectiveness is disputed and TV Licensing now relies primarily on address-based risk profiling and purchase data (from retailers who legally share data on TV purchases). The burden of proof is on the prosecution - the court must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you watched live TV or BBC iPlayer without a licence. If you do not watch live TV or BBC iPlayer, you can legally state that on the TV Licensing declaration form (available online at tvlicensing.co.uk/tell-us) - they will then close the enquiry for your address for 2 years (after which they may re-contact you). You do not need to let enforcement officers into your home unless they have a warrant from a magistrate. If you receive a court summons, seek legal advice. Penalty for false declaration: if you declare you do not watch live TV or BBC iPlayer but actually do, you risk prosecution for making a false declaration, which carries the same maximum penalty as not having a licence. Ofcom and the BBC's governance framework require TV Licensing to operate fairly, but complaints about enforcement should be directed to TV Licensing first, then the BBC, then the Ombudsman Services (if you have evidence of maladministration).

How to Cancel Your TV Licence

You can cancel your TV licence if you do not watch live TV or BBC iPlayer and do not expect to in the future. To cancel: log in to your TV Licensing account at tvlicensing.co.uk and complete the "Tell us you don't need a licence" declaration. You can also call 0300 790 6071 or write to TV Licensing, Bristol, BS98 1TL. You will need to confirm: that you no longer watch live TV on any channel or platform; that you no longer watch BBC iPlayer; and that you understand the penalties if you later watch live TV or BBC iPlayer without a valid licence. TV Licensing will then update your address as "no licence needed" for 2 years (after which you will be re-contacted to reconfirm). If you cancel mid-licence, you are not entitled to a refund for the remaining months - the licence fee is not pro-rata refundable on cancellation. The only exception is: if the licence holder dies, the estate can claim a refund for the unused portion (the licence is cancelled from the date of death).

If you move to an address that already has a valid TV licence (e.g., moving in with a partner who has one), you do not need to cancel yours - it expires at its natural end date and you do not renew. If you move abroad permanently, you should cancel your licence and can claim a refund for any full quarters remaining (TV Licensing offers pro-rata refunds on cancellation due to permanent emigration). You will need to provide proof of emigration (e.g., a permanent address abroad, a work contract, or a one-way flight booking). If you think you are due a refund for any reason (e.g., you paid for a full year and cancelled after 6 months because you stopped watching live TV), contact TV Licensing - but as noted, cancellations for lifestyle change do not usually qualify for refunds. Check your direct debit - if you cancel your licence, also cancel the associated direct debit with your bank to prevent continued payments. Ofcom requires TV Licensing to make the cancellation process clear and straightforward, but you must complete the formal declaration to be removed from the enforcement database.

TV Licence for Students and Second Homes

Students: if you are a full-time student living away from home, you may be covered by your parents' TV licence if you only watch live TV or BBC iPlayer on a battery-powered device (laptop, tablet, smartphone) that is not plugged into the mains. If you plug the device in while watching, you need your own licence. If you live in a shared house with other students, each person needs a separate licence for their own room (if they watch live TV there), but one licence covers the communal living area. In purpose-built student accommodation (halls of residence), the building manager may hold a "group" licence that covers certain common rooms, but each student still needs an individual licence for their own room. Many students wrongly assume they are covered by their parents' licence - check the official TV Licensing student guidance. Student discounts: there is no specific student discount on the TV licence fee, but you can pay by direct debit or payment card to spread the cost.

Second homes: if you own or rent a second property (a holiday home, a flat for work, a buy-to-let with personal use), you need a separate TV licence for that address if you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer there. However, the same "portable device" rule applies - if you only use a battery-powered device that is not plugged in, you are covered by your main home licence. Most second home owners choose to have a second licence (169.50/year) if they regularly watch TV at the second property. If the property is unoccupied (no one lives there and you do not watch TV there), you do not need a licence - but you should inform TV Licensing to avoid enforcement letters. The same applies for holiday lets - if the property is let to guests who bring their own devices, you (as the owner) do not need a licence, but guests may need their own licence if they watch live TV on a property-provided TV. If you provide a TV in a holiday let, you (the owner) need a licence for it. Enforcement against second homes is less aggressive because TV Licensing focuses on occupied addresses, but you should still declare the property's status. See our Broadband Switching guide and Energy Switching guide for other utility-related savings and rules.

FAQs

Do I need a TV licence for Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+?

No, as long as you only watch on-demand content on these services and do not watch live TV through them (e.g., a live event streamed on Amazon Prime) or use BBC iPlayer. On-demand streaming services do not require a TV licence.

How much is a TV licence in 2026?

A colour TV licence costs 169.50 per year. A black-and-white licence costs 57.00 per year. The fee is frozen until April 2027.

Do over-75s get a free TV licence?

Only if they receive Pension Credit. Over-75s who do not receive Pension Credit must pay the full fee. Around 1.5 million over-75 households qualify for a free licence through Pension Credit.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my TV licence?

Generally no - the licence fee is non-refundable if you cancel because you no longer watch live TV. The only exceptions are death of the licence holder or permanent emigration abroad.

What happens if I do not pay my TV licence?

If you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer without a licence, you risk prosecution. The maximum penalty is a 1,000 fine plus costs and a criminal record. You can be prosecuted even if you have never been visited by an enforcement officer.