The price of a BBC TV license increased in 2025, at a time when many are struggling financially, so find out if you’re eligible to cancel now and save some money
Did you know you can get your money back if you no longer need, or become entitled to a free TV licence? Only certain people have this liberty.
The BBC announced a £5 price increase back in April, seeing it rise from £169.90 for the year to a more expensive £174.90. This is news that came as an added stress to many due to the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Any household that watches or records live television on any channel or service, including ITV, Channel 4 and BBC iPlayer, is legally required to have one. This includes watching, recording and downloading TV content on any device.
But you could be eligible for a refund under a range of circumstances, especially if you no longer require it. Mirror Money has everything you need to know.
Moving address
You could be eligible for your £174 back should you move to a property that already has a TV licence. You’ll be covered if the person who holds it is a spouse, partner, family member, or a joint tenant or mortgage holder.
Plus, if you’re moving out of the country entirely — with this year seeing a spike in emigration to the likes of Australia and the US — you are also eligible to get a refund.
Over-75 licence
If you are over the age of 75 and you, or your partner living at the same address, receive Pension Credit, then you are entitled to a free TV licence. You can apply for a refund on any months remaining on your license that fall after your 75th birthday.
Plus, to save some time, you can avoid having to apply when you turn 75 all together by doing so when you’re 74. Please remember you will still be required to pay for the licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday.
Not watching live TV or BBC iPlayer
If you pay your TV licence and you come to notice you simply don’t watch any television, you are able to cancel. Remember, if you’re only using streaming services that aren’t BBC iPlayer — for example, Netflix, Amazon Prime, ITVX, Disney+, All 4 and My 5 — then you don’t need to spend the £174.
Residential care homes and sheltered accommodation
Should you live in or are moving into a residential care home, supporting housing or sheltered accommodation, you could be eligible for a refund. This is because you would benefit from a concessionary TV licence which costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow.
How to get a refund on your TV licence
The money you get back from your BBC TV licence depends on how many months are remaining at the time of the application. So if you’re looking for a refund, it’s imperative you have at least one month left.
Applications can be made up to 14 days before the date a licence is no longer required, and can be made online via TV Licensing’s refund page. Refunds are typically processed and issued within 21 days and are paid either by cheque or directly into your bank account.
Once the refund has been approved, your licence is therefore revoked automatically. Next on the agenda is to complete a declaration on the TV Licencing website that you no longer require one.
