While most people must pay the fee, some groups may qualify for a free TV Licence or a discount – here’s what you need to know
Not everyone is required to pay for a TV Licence, as some groups can get it free of charge or at a reduced rate.
A TV Licence provides you with access to an extensive range of content. It covers all TV channels, including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave, and international channels, plus pay TV services such as Sky, Virgin Media, and EE TV.
It also covers live TV streamed via services like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, along with all content on BBC iPlayer. This applies whether you are watching, recording, or downloading programmes on any device.
How much is a TV Licence?
At present, you must pay £180 annually for a colour licence or £60.50 for a black-and-white TV set. This follows a price rise on April 1, 2026 as mandated by the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement, aligned with inflation.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport notes that the TV Licence fee increase helps to “provide the BBC with a stable financial footing to deliver for audiences and support the wider creative industries”.
Who can get a free or discounted TV Licence?
If you are aged 74 or above and either you or your partner at the same address claims Pension Credit, you may qualify for a free TV Licence.
GOV.UK officials note: “You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit.”
People living in a care home or sheltered accommodation may qualify for a reduced fee of £7.50. As well as this, if you are registered as blind (severely sight impaired), you can apply for a 50% discount, meaning the licence costs £90.
While many students can access discounts on council tax and their favourite restaurants, the TV Licence is not among them. Officials confirm: “Unfortunately, there are no student discounts for a TV Licence.
“However, you can apply for a refund for any unused months at the end of the academic year. You just need to make sure you have at least one complete month left on your licence.”
The annual TV fee is too expensive, what can I do?
TV Licensing states: “Most people spread the cost with a Direct Debit, from £15 per month.” You can also pay it another way.
It adds: “Because of the law, you must pay for your first licence up front in the first 6 months. This means the first 6 payments are higher, about £30 a month.
“From month 7 onwards, you’ll pay about £15 a month. You don’t pay more overall. If you cancel, you get any unused months refunded.”
You can look at all the Ways To Pay For A TV Licence here. Failure to pay when you should could result in a £1,000 fine. It warns: “We could visit your address to confirm if you need a TV Licence.
“If we find that you have been watching, recording or streaming programmes illegally, you risk prosecution and a fine for not having a TV Licence of up to £1,000* plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.”
“*The maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey. Plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.”
