A TV Licence currently costs £174.50 a year for anyone viewing live television or BBC iPlayer, but the fee is increasing in April
Lauren Haughey Lifestyle and Money Reporter
06:11, 28 Feb 2026
The TV Licence fee is typically mandatory for people who watch live TV or BBC iPlayer content(Image: Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images)
Buying a TV Licence is generally a legal obligation for anyone watching live television or BBC iPlayer, with the annual fee currently set at £174.50. Despite this, there are six particular situations in which you can cancel it entirely and sidestep any future charges.
Most notably, this covers those who neither watch nor record live television on any channel or device, as well as people who have stopped using BBC iPlayer. Anyone moving into a property already covered by an existing TV Licence may also wish to cancel their payments.
Furthermore, official TV Licensing guidance outlines several additional scenarios that could warrant cancellation. The six circumstances listed on its website include:
You don’t watch or record live TV on any channel or device, and you don’t download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer any moreYou are moving to an address that already has a TV LicenceYou are moving into a care homeYou are moving abroadThe licence holder has diedYou have two licences for the same address
There are six specific situations in which you can cancel a TV Licence entirely(Image: Westend61 via Getty Images)
The site further advises: “You may be able to get a refund on your TV Licence if you are not going to need it again before it runs out, and there is at least one whole month left on it. If you pay for your licence with a TV Licensing payment card (cash plan), call 0300 555 0286. If you pay for your licence by Direct Debit, call 0300 790 0368.”
It’s worth noting that some Brits may also qualify for a free or discounted TV Licence, provided they meet the specific criteria set by the UK Government. This includes those residing in residential or sheltered accommodation, who could be eligible for a £7.50 licence if they meet either one of two conditions.
According to the UK Government, this includes:
Being retired and over 60Having a disability
“You can get a TV Licence for £7.50 if you live in an eligible residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation,” official GOV.UK advice explains. “Your housing manager can check if you can get it and will apply for you.”
Furthermore, people aged 75 and over who claim Pension Credit may be entitled to a free TV Licence. This similarly applies if you share a household with a partner who receives Pension Credit, as the licence covers all residents at that address.
Pension Credit is separate from the State Pension. It’s a means-tested benefit available to those who have reached State Pension age and have limited income, topping up weekly payments to £227.10 for single people or £346.60 for couples.
Some people are also eligible for free or discounted TV Licences(Image: Grace Cary via Getty Images)
People claiming Pension Credit can apply for a free TV Licence once they turn 74, although they must keep paying until the end of the month before their 75th birthday. Once they reach this age, they qualify for the free licence.
Lastly, anyone certified as blind or residing with someone who is can secure a 50% discount on their TV Licence. This brings the price of a colour licence down to £87.25.
Official Government guidance explains: “The licence must be in the blind person’s name – if it’s not, you can make a new application to transfer it into their name. You’ll need to provide your existing TV Licence number when you apply.”
Standard-coloured TV Licences usually cost £174.50 per year, while black-and-white licences cost £58.50 per year. However, from April 1, 2026, the annual cost of a TV licence will rise to £180.
The increase follows the methodology of calculating the licence fee in line with the consumer price index (CPI) until the end of the BBC Charter Period. This means the cost of an annual colour TV licence will rise by £5.50, or the equivalent of an extra 46p a month.
For more information, head to GOV.UK or the official TV Licensing website.
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