Telecoms and Household Bills UK — Save Money on Broadband, Phone and TVTV Licence — Who's Exempt, How to Cancel, and Do You Need One?
Complete guide to the UK TV licence. Who needs one, who's exempt, how to cancel, how to get a refund, and the rules for streaming services like Netflix and iPlayer.
The TV licence costs £169.50 per year (2026/27) and funds BBC television, radio, and online services. Whether you actually need one depends on how you watch — not what device you use.
Do You Need a TV Licence?
| Activity | Licence needed? |
|---|
| Watching any live TV on any channel (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, etc.) | Yes |
| Watching or downloading anything on BBC iPlayer (live or on-demand) | Yes |
| Watching live TV on a phone, tablet, laptop, or streaming stick | Yes |
| Watching on-demand only on Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube | No |
| Listening to BBC radio (live or on-demand) | No |
| Listening to podcasts | No |
| Watching YouTube videos (not live broadcasts) | No |
| Watching DVDs or Blu-rays | No |
| Playing games on a TV or monitor | No |
The key rule: You need a licence if you watch or record live TV on any channel or platform, or use BBC iPlayer for anything. The device and location do not matter — a phone in a park still counts.
TV Licence Cost 2026/27
| Licence type | Cost |
|---|
| Colour TV licence | £169.50 per year |
| Black and white TV licence | £57.00 per year |
| Over-75 (receiving Pension Credit) | Free |
| Blind / severely sight impaired | 50% discount (£84.75) |
| AMP accommodation (care homes) | £7.50 per room |
Payment Options
| Method | Details |
|---|
| Annual lump sum | £169.50 — pay once per year |
| Quarterly direct debit | £42.38 per quarter |
| Monthly direct debit | £14.13 per month (£169.50/year) |
| Weekly cash/savings stamps | From £3.27/week at PayPoint outlets |
Who Is Exempt?
Free TV Licence — Over 75 on Pension Credit
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|
| Age | 75 or over |
| Benefit | Must be receiving Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit) |
| Household | Only one person in the household needs to qualify |
| How to claim | Apply at tvlicensing.co.uk/age or call 0300 790 6165 |
| Renewal | Must be renewed annually — not automatic |
Before June 2020, all over-75s received a free licence. Since then, only those receiving Pension Credit qualify. If your partner is 75+ and receives Pension Credit, the whole household is covered.
Related: Pension Credit Guide
50% Discount — Blind or Severely Sight Impaired
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|
| Certification | Must be registered blind or severely sight impaired with your local council |
| Discount | 50% — currently £84.75 for colour |
| How to apply | Call 0300 790 6165 with your registration certificate |
Students
| Situation | Licence needed? |
|---|
| Student in halls — watches only on a battery-powered, unplugged device | Covered by parents’ licence |
| Student in halls — device plugged into mains | Needs own licence |
| Student in shared house | One licence covers the whole address |
| Student who doesn’t watch live TV or iPlayer | No licence needed — make a declaration |
Care Homes and Sheltered Housing
| Type | Cost |
|---|
| AMP accommodation (residential care) | £7.50 per room per year |
| Sheltered housing (self-contained units) | Full licence per unit |
How to Cancel Your TV Licence
Step-by-Step
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Go to tvlicensing.co.uk or call 0300 790 6165 |
| 2 | Tell them you no longer need a licence |
| 3 | Complete a No Licence Needed declaration |
| 4 | If you paid annually, request a refund for remaining complete months |
| 5 | If you pay by direct debit, TV Licensing will cancel it — do not cancel the DD yourself first |
Refund Rules
| Payment method | Refund |
|---|
| Annual payment | Refund for complete months remaining |
| Direct debit (monthly/quarterly) | Payments stop — any overpayment refunded |
| Savings stamps | Any unused credit refunded |
| Processing time | Usually 3–4 weeks by cheque or bank transfer |
Important: Cancel the licence through TV Licensing first, then the direct debit will stop automatically. If you cancel the direct debit without cancelling the licence, you may receive missed payment notices and enforcement letters.
Making a No Licence Needed Declaration
Even if you do not need a licence, it is worth making a declaration at tvlicensing.co.uk. This means:
- TV Licensing updates their records and removes your address from enforcement visits
- The declaration lasts 2 years, after which you may be contacted to confirm your status
- It is free and takes about 2 minutes
- You are not admitting to anything — you are simply stating you don’t need one
Enforcement — Your Rights
| Situation | Your rights |
|---|
| Enforcement officer visits | You do not have to open the door, let them in, or speak to them |
| They ask to come in | You can refuse — they have no automatic right of entry |
| Search warrant | They can only enter with a warrant from a magistrate — rare |
| Detection vans | TV Licensing can apply for a warrant based on other evidence (no licence on record, database checks) |
| Letters | You may receive letters — these are often computer-generated and you can ignore them if you have made a declaration |
| Fine | Maximum fine for watching without a licence: £1,000 plus legal costs |
If You Receive Threatening Letters
TV Licensing sends automated letters to addresses without a licence on record. If you have made a declaration and do not need a licence:
- You can ignore further letters
- You do not need to respond unless your circumstances change
- Make a new declaration every 2 years to keep your records up to date
Streaming Services — Do You Need a Licence?
| Service | Live TV? | Licence needed? |
|---|
| BBC iPlayer (live or on-demand) | Yes | Yes — always |
| ITV Hub / ITVX (live broadcast) | Yes | Yes |
| ITVX (on-demand catch-up only) | No | No |
| Channel 4 (live broadcast) | Yes | Yes |
| Channel 4 (on-demand only) | No | No |
| Sky Go / Now TV (live channels) | Yes | Yes |
| Sky Go / Now TV (on-demand only) | No | No |
| Netflix | No | No |
| Disney+ | No | No |
| Amazon Prime Video | No | No |
| YouTube (videos) | No | No |
| YouTube (live broadcasts) | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV+ | No | No |
BBC iPlayer is the exception — you need a licence for iPlayer whether you watch live or on-demand. All other services only require a licence when you watch live broadcasts.
Common Scenarios
| Scenario | Need a licence? |
|---|
| I only use Netflix and YouTube on my smart TV | No |
| I watch live football on Sky Go on my phone | Yes |
| I watch BBC dramas on iPlayer catch-up | Yes |
| I have a TV but only use it for gaming | No |
| I listen to BBC Radio on my smart speaker | No |
| My elderly parent is 75+ on Pension Credit | Free licence |
| I’m a student in halls using my laptop unplugged | Covered by parents’ licence |
| I live in shared house — one housemate watches live TV | One licence covers the address |
Business Premises
| Situation | Licence details |
|---|
| Office with a TV in reception | One licence covers the premises |
| Staff watching on personal devices during breaks | Covered by the business licence if on premises |
| Hotel rooms | One licence per premises (not per room) for staff areas; concessionary rates available for guest rooms |
| Shop displaying TVs for sale | Exempt — but only if showing pre-recorded content or test pictures |
| Contact | Details |
|---|
| TV Licensing website | tvlicensing.co.uk |
| Phone | 0300 790 6165 |
| Textphone | 0300 790 6050 |
| Post | TV Licensing, Darlington DL98 1TL |
| Over-75 free licence | tvlicensing.co.uk/age |
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