Televi ion Licen ing in the United Kingdom – 2025-26 Full Guide

A television licence is a legal requirement in the United Kingdom for anyone who watches or records live television on any channel, or who uses BBC iPlayer to stream or download BBC programmes. A standard colour licence costs £180 per year. The rules have changed significantly in recent years, particularly for people aged 75 and over.

Do I Need a TV Licence?

• Watching or recording live TV on any channel requires a TV licence.
• Using BBC iPlayer for any content — live, catch-up, streamed, or downloaded — requires a licence.
• The rule applies to TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones.
• On-demand non-BBC services like Netflix, ITVX, Channel 4, and Channel 5 are exempt.
• Recorded programmes after broadcast are exempt, unless accessed via BBC iPlayer.
• A licence covers everyone living at the same address.
• If you do not need a licence, you may be asked to make a “no licence needed” declaration.

Detailed guidance on what constitutes live TV and the iPlayer rule is available from Age UK and MoneySavingExpert.

How Much Does a TV Licence Cost and Are There Discounts for Seniors?

Standard Costs

The standard colour television licence costs £180 per year. A black and white licence costs £60.50 per year, though very few households still use black and white sets. These figures are from Wikipedia and GOV.UK.

Discounts for Seniors and Others

The most significant concession for older people is the free TV licence for those aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit. This replaced the universal free licence for all over-75s in August 2020. The free licence also applies if your partner at the same address receives Pension Credit. If you already receive Pension Credit, you can apply from age 74, and the licence will cover you until your 75th birthday.

Other Discounts

People who are registered blind or severely sight impaired receive a 50% discount on their licence fee. Eligible residents in residential care, supported housing, or sheltered accommodation can obtain a licence for just £7.50 per year. Attendance Allowance does not qualify for a free TV licence, according to TV Licensing.

Who Is Exempt from the TV Licence Fee?

Over-75 and Pension Credit

Exemption is no longer based solely on age. The free licence is only available to people aged 75 or older who receive Pension Credit. The licence covers everyone living at that address. If you are 74 and already receiving Pension Credit, you can apply early, and the licence will be active up to your 75th birthday. There is no automatic grant — you must apply.

Blind and Severely Sight-Impaired

A 50% discount is available to anyone registered as blind or severely sight impaired. To claim, you need evidence such as a certificate from your local authority ophthalmologist confirming the condition. This discount can be claimed online or by phone.

Care Homes and Sheltered Accommodation

Residents of residential care, supported housing, or sheltered accommodation may qualify for a licence costing just £7.50 per year. The housing manager, warden, or administrator can usually apply on the resident’s behalf. This low-cost licence covers the use of a television in the resident’s own room or in a communal area.

How to Apply for and Pay Your TV Licence

Applying Online or by Phone

You must actively apply for the over-75 free licence — it is not issued automatically. Applications can be made online via the TV Licensing website or by phone. The contact numbers provided by official sources are 0300 790 6071 (GOV.UK) and 0300 790 6117 (TV Licensing). If you already hold a licence, you can sign in and apply for the free licence online. If you do not have a current licence, you can still apply online.

Payment Options

The standard licence requires payment in advance. You can pay the full annual amount upfront or spread the cost over monthly instalments via direct debit. The monthly direct debit option helps manage cash flow. Payment schedules are available through the TV Licensing website. For those who need to change their payment method, TV Licensing allows adjustments to existing arrangements.

How to Legally Avoid Paying a TV Licence

No Licence Needed Declaration

If you do not watch live TV and do not use BBC iPlayer, you do not need a TV licence. In that case, TV Licensing expects you to make a “no licence needed” declaration. This can be done online through the TV Licensing website or by contacting them directly. The declaration is a way to confirm that you are not using the services that require a licence.

When You Can Safely Avoid Paying

You can legally avoid paying if you only watch on-demand content from non-BBC services such as Netflix, ITVX, Channel 4, or Channel 5, and you do not watch any live TV on those platforms. Watching recorded programmes after broadcast is also allowed without a licence, as long as you are not using BBC iPlayer. However, using BBC iPlayer for any purpose — even catch-up — still requires a licence.

The BBC iPlayer rule is often overlooked. Many people mistakenly believe that catch-up viewing is licence-free. In fact, a TV licence is mandatory to use BBC iPlayer on any device. For more context on BBC iPlayer content, see the article on BBC iPlayer Julia Donaldson – Gruffalo, Stick Man and More.

What Happened to the Free TV Licence for Over-75s?

1. 1999: Free TV licences were introduced for all households with someone aged 75 or over, funded by the BBC.
2. August 2020: The universal free licence was abolished. From this date, only over-75s receiving Pension Credit qualified for a free licence.
3. Present (2025-2026): The free licence remains means-tested. The standard colour licence costs £180 per year. The over-75 concession is strictly linked to Pension Credit receipt.
4. Ongoing: Applications for the free licence must be made proactively. The BBC and TV Licensing continue to administer the scheme, and the rules have not changed since August 2020.

What Is Clear and What Remains Unclear About TV Licensing?

What Is a TV Licence and Why Does It Exist?

A TV licence is a legal requirement under UK law that funds the BBC. The licence fee is used to support BBC television, radio, and online services, including BBC iPlayer. The requirement has been in place for decades, with periodic changes to fees and exemptions. The system is enforced by TV Licensing, a division of the BBC. It is a criminal offence to watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer without a valid licence, and the law applies throughout the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Sources and Further Reading

This article draws on the following official sources:

• Age UK – TV licence concessions
• MoneySavingExpert – TV licence guide
• Wikipedia – Television licensing in the United Kingdom
• GOV.UK – Free or discounted TV licence
• TV Licensing – Over 74 information

The Bottom Line on TV Licensing

Understanding whether you need a TV licence depends on your viewing habits. If you watch live television or use BBC iPlayer, you must have a licence. The cost is £180 per year for a colour licence, with significant discounts available for over-75s receiving Pension Credit, blind or severely sight-impaired people, and those in residential care. The rules are strict, and enforcement action can follow non-compliance. Check the latest information on the official TV Licensing website or via GOV.UK. For more on related benefits, see the Attendance Allowance Claim Form – Step-by-Step UK Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About TV Licences