TV licence / UK
What a TV licence costs.
£180.00 a year for a colour licence, since 1 April 2026. Over-75s on Pension Credit pay nothing, and some people pay less.
Who pays what.
01 / Fees and concessionsSource: TV Licence and concessions (GOV.UK) Fees checked
-
01
Colour licence
- A year
- £180.00
-
02
Black and white licence
- A year
- £60.50
-
03
Registered blind
- Colour, a year
- £90.00
- Black and white
- £30.25
-
04
75 or over, on Pension Credit
- A year
- Free
-
05
Residential care or sheltered housing
- A year
- £7.50
The fee last changed on 1 April 2026. It usually goes up each April.
Source: Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (legislation.gov.uk) Checked
Do you need one?
02 / The rules- Yes, if you watch or record live TV on any channel or service. That's on any device: a TV, laptop, phone or games console.
- Yes, if you use BBC iPlayer at all, including catch-up.
- No, if you only watch streaming services such as Netflix and Disney Plus, catch-up on other channels' apps (not live), YouTube videos or DVDs.
- In a shared house you need your own licence if you have a separate tenancy and watch in your room. One licence covers everyone on a joint tenancy, or if you only watch in a shared room.
- Students in halls need one to watch in their own room. A licence at your parents' home covers you at university only on a device running on its own batteries: not plugged in, and not connected to an aerial.
- Watching live TV without a licence can mean a fine of up to £1,000.
Buy, renew or claim.
03 / Official sites- Buy, renew or cancel a licence →On the TV Licensing website, run for the BBC. You can pay in one go or spread it out.
- Get a free or discounted licence →How to apply if you're 75 or over, registered blind, or in residential care. (GOV.UK)
- Check if you can get Pension Credit →If you're 75 or over on a low income, Pension Credit would also make your TV licence free. (GOV.UK)
Data sources
- TV Licence and concessions (GOV.UK). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (legislation.gov.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.