The TV licence rose to £180 a year on 1 April 2026, up £5.50 (3.15%) from £174.50. The fee goes up each April in line with inflation (CPI) until the end of the current BBC Charter in December 2027. It's due to rise once more in April 2027.

Do I need a TV licence?

You need a TV licence to:

• watch or record live TV on any channel, through any device or service, including Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media and live streams on services such as ITVX, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube or Netflix

• watch or download BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer

You don't need a licence to watch on-demand programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer, such as Netflix series or catch-up on ITVX. However, you do need one if you watch something being broadcast live on those services.

Watching or recording live TV without a licence is a criminal offence. In England, Wales and Scotland, the maximum fine is £1,000 plus legal costs. In 2025, 18,246 people in England and Wales were prosecuted for TV licence evasion and 16,489 were convicted. Women made up 73% of those convicted (Ministry of Justice figures, reported by the House of Commons Library in May 2026). The BBC estimated that the evasion rate was 12.52% in 2024/25.

Free or cheaper TV licences

Over 75 and receiving Pension Credit. People aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit (or live with a partner at the same address who does) can get a free TV licence. You can apply from age 74. In 2026/27, the Pension Credit minimum guarantee tops up weekly income to £238 for a single person or £363.25 for a couple. Check if you can get Pension Credit.

Blind or severely sight impaired. You can get 50% off, so the licence costs £90.

Care homes and sheltered housing. If you live in a care home or sheltered accommodation, you may be able to pay a reduced fee of £7.50.

Black and white TV. If you only watch on a black and white TV, the licence costs £60.50. (The black-and-white licence covers only qualifying black-and-white viewing and recording; BBC iPlayer use and colour television viewing or recording require a colour licence.)

Watching away from home

Your home licence covers you anywhere when you watch on a device powered only by its own internal batteries, such as a phone, tablet or laptop that isn't plugged in or connected to an aerial. Students are covered in the same way if their out-of-term address has a licence.

• Second home (house, flat, bungalow or cottage): you need a separate licence to watch live TV or BBC iPlayer there, unless you only use battery-powered devices that aren't plugged in.

• Boats and touring caravans: your main home’s TV Licence usually covers you.

• Static caravans, mobile homes and moveable chalets: your main home’s licence covers you as long as nobody is watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer at your main home at the same time. TV Licensing asks you to fill in a “non-simultaneous use” declaration form. If the caravan or mobile home is your main home, or the property is a permanent structure, you need a separate licence.

Businesses that offer overnight accommodation, such as hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets, need a licence. One licence covers up to 15 units.

Paying in instalments

You can pay £180 in one go or by monthly Direct Debit (from £15 a month). Quarterly Direct Debit costs £46.25 a quarter (£185 a year), which includes a £5 annual surcharge. With a new monthly Direct Debit, the first payments are around £30 a month, because you pay for the first licence in advance. If you're struggling to pay, TV Licensing's Simple Payment Plan lets you spread the cost in smaller instalments.

Cancelling and refunds

You can cancel your licence and ask for a refund if you no longer need it, for example if you've moved in with someone who already has a licence, stopped watching live TV and BBC iPlayer, or become eligible for a free licence. Refunds are usually available if there's at least one full month left. You may need to provide evidence. Apply for a refund on TV Licensing.

Read more:

• Subscription traps: how they work and how to avoid one