While TV Licences currently cost £174.50 per year, this will increase to £180 from April 2026
Buying a TV Licence is typically a legal obligation for anyone watching live television or BBC iPlayer, with the fee currently costing £174.50. However, there are six specific situations in which you can cancel it entirely and avoid future payments.
Most evidently, this covers people who don’t watch or record live television on any channel or device, along with those who have stopped viewing programmes on BBC iPlayer. Anyone moving to a property already covered by a TV Licence may also want to end their payments.
Furthermore, official TV Licensing guidance identifies several other scenarios that could require cancellation. The six situations listed on its website include:
- You don’t watch or record live TV on any channel or device, and you don’t download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer any more
- You are moving to an address that already has a TV Licence
- You are moving into a care home
- You are moving abroad
- The licence holder has died
- You have two licences for the same address
The site further advises: “You may be able to get a refund on your TV Licence if you are not going to need it again before it runs out, and there is at least one whole month left on it. If you pay for your licence with a TV Licensing payment card (cash plan), call 0300 555 0286. If you pay for your licence by Direct Debit, call 0300 790 0368.”
It’s important to note that some Brits may also qualify for a free or discounted TV Licence, provided they meet the criteria set by the UK Government. This includes people living in residential or sheltered accommodation who might be eligible for a £7.50 licence if they meet either one of two conditions.
According to the UK Government, this includes:
- Being retired and over 60
- Having a disability
“You can get a TV Licence for £7.50 if you live in an eligible residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation,” official GOV.UK advice explains. “Your housing manager can check if you can get it and will apply for you.”
Moreover, people aged 75 or over who claim Pension Credit might be entitled to a free TV Licence. The same arrangement exists if you share a home with a partner who claims Pension Credit, as the licence covers everyone at a particular address.
Pension Credit is separate from the State Pension. It refers to a means-tested benefit for people past State Pension age on a low income, topping up weekly earnings to £227.10 for single people or £346.60 for couples.
Those claiming Pension Credit can apply for a free TV Licence upon turning 74, although they must keep paying until the end of the month before their 75th birthday. After this point, they become entitled to the free licence.
Lastly, anyone registered as blind or residing with someone who is can secure a 50% discount on their TV Licence. This brings down the price of a colour licence to £87.25.
Official Government guidance explains: “The licence must be in the blind person’s name – if it’s not, you can make a new application to transfer it into their name. You’ll need to provide your existing TV Licence number when you apply.”
Standard-coloured TV Licences usually cost £174.50 per year, while black-and-white licences cost £58.50 per year. However, from April 1, 2026, the annual cost of a TV licence will rise to £180.
The increase follows the methodology of calculating the licence fee in line with the consumer price index (CPI) until the end of the BBC Charter Period. This means the cost of an annual colour TV licence will rise by £5.50, or the equivalent of an extra 46p a month.
For more information, head to GOV.UK or the official TV Licensing website.
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
