Many people in Ireland don’t realise there is a little known exemption that could let them skip the €160 TV licence fee in 2026.
A TV licence renewal letter (file photo)(Image: Cork Beo)
Most people in Ireland know the rule – if there’s a TV in your home or business, you’re legally required to pay the €160 annual licence fee, no matter how you use the device.
Whether you’re binge watching Netflix, playing video games or even if your television is broken and gathering dust, you still need to pay if the device is capable of receiving a broadcast signal.
Failing to pay can result in fines of up to €1,000. One licence covers an entire home or premises, even if there are multiple TVs. First time purchases can be made at an An Post office, online or over the phone, and it must be renewed every 12 months.
However, not everyone is required to pay. Thanks to a little known exemption, some people in Ireland can legally avoid the fee in 2026 – and many may not even realise they qualify.
The exemption is tied to the Household Benefits Package (HBP), a government support scheme that helps with the cost of household bills like electricity and gas. If you’re approved for the HBP, you may also be entitled to a free TV licence.
To qualify for the HBP and the free TV licence, you must meet specific criteria:
Be living in Ireland full timeBe the only person in your household getting the HBPBe aged 70 or overBe aged under 70 and meet the additional rules
For those aged under 70 living with a spouse, cohabitant or civil partner, you can qualify if you receive a qualifying social welfare payment and meet certain conditions.
This may include an increase in your qualifying payment for your partner, receiving your own qualifying payment or receiving a social welfare payment not listed below and passing a means test. You may also live with other adults who are not your spouse or partner.
Social welfare payments that qualify those under 70 for the HBP include:
Disability AllowanceInvalidity PensionBlind PensionIncapacity Supplement (for at least 12 months) with Disablement Pension (for at least 12 months)Carer’s Allowance (full or half-rate payment), but you must be living with the person you are caring for.An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
For those aged between 66 and 70 and not getting a qualifying social welfare payment, they must pass a means test. In a means test, the Department of Social Protection examines all their sources of income. The person’s weekly income must be below a certain amount to pass the means test.
The amount of means that they are allowed to have for the HBP is the current maximum rate of State Pension, including any increases that they might get for their age, living alone and dependants, plus €200.
The means test considers:
Cash income that they or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant may have. Some cash income may not be included in the means test.Capital, for example, the value of savings, investments, shares or any property they have (but not your own home).
If you think you qualify, you can apply online at MyWelfare.ie, or download and post the application form for the Household Benefits Package.
With the cost of living crisis ongoing, it’s worth checking if you qualify because this little-known exemption could save you €160 in 2026.
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