While many households are legally required to pay the licence fee, it’s becoming increasingly common not to need a licence at all.
Find out if you’re exempt from paying for a licence, and if you could save more than £170 a year by cancelling.
What is a UK TV licence?
In the UK, a TV licence is a legal requirement for anyone watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer. It’s sometimes called the BBC licence fee, because a portion of the money raised by licence payments goes towards funding the BBC’s journalism, broadcasting and services.
You must pay a TV licence if you do any of the following at home:
- Watch live TV through Freeview
- Watch live TV through a paid subscription like Sky TV or Virgin Media
- Watch live TV online through YouTube, Amazon Prime or another service
- Stream recorded programs through BBC iPlayer
Who is exempt from paying a TV licence?
You don’t need to pay for a licence if you don’t do any of the above activities.
For example, if you only stream recorded shows through Netflix, you don’t need to pay the licence fee – even if you’re watching on your TV set.
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Some groups qualify for a free or discounted TV licence. This includes:
- Anyone over the age of 75, if they or a partner they live with receives pension credit, can apply for a free TV licence.
- If you are retired and aged 60 or over, or if you’re disabled, and you live in sheltered accommodation or residential care, you can apply for a discounted licence for £7.50.
- If you or someone you live with is blind or partially sighted, you are eligible for a 50% discount.
You can find out more, including how to apply for your free or discounted licence, here.
How much does a TV licence cost in 2025?
The cost of a UK TV licence increased in April 2025 to £174.50 per year for colour TVs and £58.50 per year for black and white sets.
You can pay the licence fee in one lump sum, or in monthly direct debits of £14.54. If you do choose to pay by direct debit, be aware that your initial payment will be higher to cover the first full calendar month and any additional days before the start of the month.
Do I need a TV licence to watch Sky TV?
Yes – you must pay for a TV licence even if you’re watching live TV through a premium paid TV service like Sky.
This is the case even if you are not watching live TV via a satellite dish. If you use an internet-connected under-the-TV box like the Sky Stream, you still need to pay the licence fee to watch live TV.
What’s the fine for not having a licence?
You can be fined up to £1000 if you watch or record live TV without a licence.
TV licensing will send warning letters to households with no active licence, and can even send inspectors to your home to check you are not watching illegally.
If you don’t need a licence, you can register as exempt to avoid a visit from the licensing agents.
Can I bring my licence to a new home?
Yes! If you’re moving home and are still covered by a licence you paid upfront for, you can transfer the licence to your new home. Find out more about requesting a TV licence change of address here.
