What you pay for a UK TV licence

A TV licence in the UK costs £159.50 per year if you pay in one lump sum. If you spread the cost across 10 monthly payments, you pay £15.95 per month. The annual fee applies whether you own one television or ten — the licence covers your entire household, not individual sets.

You need a licence if you watch or record live television on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer to watch or record anything at all, including on-demand programmes. The fee funds BBC television, radio, and online services. If you do not watch or record live TV and do not use iPlayer, you do not need a licence.

The price you pay depends on whether you want colour television or black-and-white only. A colour licence costs £159.50 annually. A black-and-white licence costs £53.50 annually — a saving of £106 per year if your household uses only black-and-white sets, though this is now uncommon.

Key Takeaways

  • A colour TV licence costs £159.50 per year or £15.95 per month, and covers your entire household regardless of how many televisions you own.
  • You must have a licence if you watch or record live television on any channel, or if you use BBC iPlayer for any content.
  • Black-and-white licences cost £53.50 per year if your household uses only black-and-white sets.
  • You can pay the full year upfront or spread payments across ten monthly instalments with no extra charge.
  • Concessions reduce the cost for people over 74 and for some residents of care homes.

How to pay your TV licence

You can pay by direct debit, debit card, credit card, or cheque. Direct debit is the most common method and allows you to spread the cost across monthly payments. When you set up a licence online or by phone, you choose your payment method and the date your payment is taken each month.

If you pay by debit or credit card in one go, you can do this online when ready. Cheque payments take longer to process. You can also pay in person at Post Office branches using cash or card, though this route is slower than online or phone payment.

If you already have a licence and want to change your payment method, you can update this through your online account or by calling the TV Licensing contact centre. Changing from annual to monthly payment, or vice versa, takes effect on your next payment date.

Discounts and concessions

If you are aged 74 or over, you may be may have access to to a free TV licence. You must have reached your 74th birthday before 1 August 2024 to may have access to under the current rules. From 1 August 2024 onwards, only people aged 80 and over receive a free licence. This change means fewer people may have access to each year as the threshold rises.

If you live in a care home, residential home, or similar institution, you may pay a reduced rate. The home itself may hold the licence, or you may hold an individual licence at a lower cost. Contact TV Licensing to discuss your situation, as the rules depend on the type of home and how many residents share viewing.

If you are blind or severely sight-impaired and registered with your local authority, you can claim a 50 per cent discount on your licence fee. You will need to provide proof of your registration. This brings the annual cost to £79.75 for a colour licence.

When your licence expires and how to renew

Your licence runs for 12 months from the date you buy it. TV Licensing sends you a reminder letter about four weeks before your licence expires. You can renew online, by phone, or by post. Renewing online is the quickest method and takes a few minutes.

If you renew before your current licence expires, your new licence starts the day after the old one ends — there is no gap and no overlap. If you let your licence expire and then renew, there may be a short delay before your new licence becomes active, so it is best to renew in advance.

If you move house, you do not need to buy a new licence. You can update your address with TV Licensing online or by phone, and your existing licence continues to cover you at the new property. The expiry date stays the same.

What happens if you do not have a licence

Watching or recording live television without a licence is against the law in the UK. TV Licensing enforcement officers can visit your home if they suspect you are watching live TV without a licence. They have the power to request entry, though you have the right to refuse without a warrant.

If you are found to be watching live TV without a licence, you can be prosecuted in court. The maximum fine is £1,000. In practice, most people who contact TV Licensing to say they do not need a licence (because they do not watch live TV or use iPlayer) are not pursued further, provided they sign a declaration.

If you are unsure whether you need a licence, you can contact TV Licensing to discuss your viewing habits. They can advise whether your circumstances mean you do or do not need to pay. It is better to clarify this than to risk a fine.

Refunds and cancellations

If you cancel your licence part-way through the year, TV Licensing will refund the unused portion. The refund is calculated on a daily basis, so if you have paid for 12 months and cancel after 6 months, you receive a refund for the remaining 6 months minus any administration fee.

You might cancel because you are moving abroad, moving into a care home, or because you no longer watch live TV or use iPlayer. You can cancel online, by phone, or by post. Online cancellation is processed quickly, usually within a few days.

If you have paid by direct debit and cancel, your final payment will be taken on your next payment date unless you cancel before that date arrives. Check the exact date with TV Licensing to avoid confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a TV licence if I only watch on-demand content?

You need a licence if you use BBC iPlayer for any content, including on-demand programmes. If you watch on-demand content only through other services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or ITV Hub, and you do not watch or record live television, you do not need a licence.

Can I get a refund if I move abroad?

Yes. If you move outside the UK, you can cancel your licence and receive a refund for the unused portion. You will need to provide proof of your move, such as a change of address confirmation or a flight booking. Contact TV Licensing with your new address to process the refund.

What if I share a house with other people?

One licence covers the entire household, regardless of how many people live there or how many televisions you own. If you are a lodger or a student in shared accommodation, check whether the person whose name is on the tenancy has already bought a licence. If not, one of you will need to buy one that covers everyone in the property.

Can I pay weekly instead of monthly?

TV Licensing does not offer weekly payments. You can pay monthly by direct debit, or in one lump sum annually. If monthly payments are difficult, you can contact TV Licensing to discuss your circumstances — they may be able to suggest alternatives or payment arrangements.

Is the TV licence fee the same everywhere in the UK?

Yes. The licence fee is the same in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The price is set by the government and applies across the whole of the UK. However, the rules about who qualifies for concessions can vary slightly by nation, so check the specific rules for your part of the UK.