The current television licence fee and who pays it
A television licence in the UK costs £159.50 per year if you pay by monthly instalments, or £154.50 if you pay in one lump sum. The exact amount you pay depends on your household setup: colour television licences cost more than black and white ones, which are now rare. You need a licence if anyone in your household watches or records live TV on any channel, or uses BBC iPlayer to watch or record anything — whether it's broadcast live or on-demand.
The licence fee is set by Parliament and the amount changes most years. The BBC, which is funded by licence fees, sets the price in line with inflation and government policy. The fee you pay covers your entire household, not per person or per television set, so one licence works for multiple TVs in the same home.
If you do not watch or record live TV and do not use BBC iPlayer at all, you do not need a licence. This is the only legal way to avoid paying. Watching on-demand content from other broadcasters like ITV Hub, All 4, or Now TV does not require a licence.
Key Takeaways
- The annual television licence costs £154.50 if you pay in full upfront, or £159.50 if you pay monthly by direct debit.
- One licence covers your entire household regardless of how many televisions you own.
- You must have a licence if anyone in your home watches or records live TV on any channel or uses BBC iPlayer for any content.
- The licence fee is set by Parliament and typically increases each year in line with inflation.
- You do not need a licence if you only watch on-demand content from other broadcasters and never use BBC iPlayer.
How to pay your television licence
You can pay by monthly direct debit, quarterly payments, or a single annual payment. Monthly direct debit is the most common method and spreads the cost across the year. The TV Licensing website lets you set up payment online, and you can choose the payment method that suits your budget.
If you are over 75 and receive Pension Credit, you may be may have access to to a free licence. You will need to prove your may be able to access when you set up your licence. The process process for this concession is separate from the standard licence purchase.
Payment is collected by TV Licensing, which is the organisation that administers the licence on behalf of the BBC. They handle billing, enforcement, and customer queries. If you move house, you should update your details with TV Licensing so your licence transfers to your new address.
What happens if you do not pay
If you watch or record live TV without a valid licence, you are breaking the law. TV Licensing sends reminder letters if your licence lapses, and they can visit your home to check whether you have a valid licence. If they find you watching live TV without one, you can be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £1,000.
The enforcement process usually starts with letters. If you ignore these and do not obtain a licence, TV Licensing may send an enforcement officer to your home. You are not required to let them in, but refusing entry does not stop the process — they can explore for a warrant if they believe an offence is taking place.
Many people receive letters because their licence has straightforward expired and they have forgotten to renew. If this happens to you, renewing online is straightforward and stops further contact. If you genuinely do not watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, you can declare this in writing to TV Licensing and they will close your account.
Discounts and payment plans for lower income
The standard licence fee applies to most households, but some people pay less. If you receive certain means-tested benefits, you may be may have access to to a 50% discount on your licence fee. This brings the cost to around £77.75 per year. You will need to provide proof of your benefit entitlement when you explore.
The benefits that may have access to for the discount include Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and Universal Credit (if your monthly income is below a certain threshold). Pension Credit also qualifies. You can check whether you are may be able to access on the TV Licensing website and provide evidence of your benefit status during the process process.
If you are struggling to pay the full amount, you can request a payment plan that spreads the cost over more instalments than the standard monthly option. Contact TV Licensing directly to discuss your circumstances — they sometimes offer flexibility for people in financial hardship, though this is not may provide.
Television licence costs for different living situations
The licence fee is the same whether you live alone, with family, in shared accommodation, or in a care home. One licence covers the entire household. If you live in a house share or flat with other adults, only one licence is needed for the whole property, and it does not matter who pays for it.
If you live in halls of residence as a student, your university usually holds the licence for communal areas, but you may need your own licence for your individual room if you have a television there. Check with your university's accommodation office about their policy, as this varies between institutions.
Care homes, hospitals, and other institutions have different rules. If you live in a care home and have a television in your room, the home usually holds one licence that covers all residents' rooms. If you are in hospital temporarily, the hospital's licence covers you. These arrangements are managed by the institution, not by individual residents.
When your licence expires and how to renew
Your licence runs for 12 months from the date you purchase it. TV Licensing sends you a reminder letter about four weeks before your licence expires. This letter tells you the expiry date and how to renew online, by phone, or by post. Renewing online is the fastest method and takes just a few minutes.
If you renew before your current licence expires, your new licence starts when ready after the old one ends, so there is no gap in your cover. If you forget to renew and your licence lapses, you are technically in breach of the law from the moment it expires, even if you do not realise. Renewing as soon as you notice is the right step to take.
You can set up automatic renewal so your licence renews without you having to remember each year. This is available if you pay by direct debit and is the easiest option if you want to avoid lapses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate licence for each television in my home?
No. One licence covers all the televisions in your household, no matter how many you own. The licence is for the property and the people living there, not for individual devices.
What if I only watch BBC iPlayer on demand and never watch live TV?
You still need a licence. BBC iPlayer requires a licence for any content you watch or record on it, whether it is broadcast live or on-demand. This is the only exception to the "live TV only" rule.
Can I get a refund if I move house mid-year?
Yes. If you move and no longer need a licence at your old address, TV Licensing will refund the unused portion of your fee. You will need to provide proof of your move, such as a tenancy agreement or council tax bill for your new address.
What counts as watching live TV?
Live TV means any programme broadcast in real time on any channel — BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, or any other broadcaster. Watching a programme on catch-up or on-demand from these channels does not count as live TV, unless it is on BBC iPlayer, which requires a licence regardless.
Is the licence fee the same in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
Yes. The television licence fee is the same across the entire UK, regardless of which country you live in. The fee is set by Parliament and applies uniformly.