How Much Does a
TV Licence Cost?
£180/year from 1 April 2026. But before you pay, check if you actually need one. Most streaming-only households don't.
Do you actually need a TV licence?
Most people who only use streaming services don't need one and can save £180/year.
Yes, you need one
If you do any of these:
- • Watch live TV on any channel
- • Use BBC iPlayer (live or catch-up)
- • Record live programmes
£180/year
No, you're fine
If you only:
- • Watch Netflix, Disney+, Prime
- • Watch YouTube
- • Use TV for gaming
- • Watch catch-up (not iPlayer)
£0save £180
Not sure?
Common edge cases:
- • Student in shared house
- • Watch ITV/C4 catch-up
- • Own a TV, don't use it live
Decision Flowchart
Quick Checker
Answer 3 questions. Takes 15 seconds.
Do you watch or record live TV on any channel?
This includes BBC, ITV, Sky, Channel 4, and any other channel on any device.
The BBC iPlayer catch
BBC iPlayer is the only on-demand service that requires a TV licence. ITV Hub, Channel 4, and My5 catch-up are all fine without one. Only live broadcasts on those platforms require a licence. If you use iPlayer at all, even once, even on your phone, you need a licence.
Full iPlayer rulesTV Licence Fees 2026/27
New prices from 1 April 2026. All payment methods available.
Colour
£180
per year
Black & White
£60.50
per year
Payment Options
| Method | Amount | Frequency | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual lump sum | £180.00 | One payment | £180.00 |
| Monthly Direct Debit | £15.00 | Every month | £180.00 |
| Quarterly Direct Debit | £44.89 | Every 3 months | £179.56 + £5.00 surcharge |
| Weekly savings card | £3.46 | Every week | £179.92 |
Quarterly DD includes a £1.25/quarter surcharge (£5.00/year total). All other methods cost £180/year with no surcharge.
Cost Calculator
Check your exact cost including concessions.
Your situation
Your cost
Annual cost
£180.00
Payment options
What happens if you don't pay?
Consequences
- • Fine up to £1,000 plus court costs
- • Around 130,000 prosecutions per year
- • Enforcement officers may visit your address
Your rights
- • You do not have to let them in
- • No entry without a court warrant
- • You don't have to answer questions
Explore Our Guides
2026 TV Licence
£180/year summary, what changed, year-anchored
TV Licence for Netflix
Streaming-only households pay £0
Over 75 Licence
Free with Pension Credit only
Monthly £15 DD
Direct Debit and the first-year catch
Cost History 1946-2026
Year-by-year, every uplift, every freeze
Black and White £60.50
B&W licence still exists, who buys it
Blind Discount £90
50% concession for severely sight-impaired
Shared House / HMO
One licence or many in a houseshare
Smart TV No Aerial
Owning a TV alone does not need a licence
Do I Need One?
Streaming matrix, device guide, edge cases
All Exemptions
Concessions overview
Student Rules
Halls, shared houses, battery exception
Cancel and Refund
Step-by-step cancellation
Enforcement and Fines
Your rights when officers visit
iPlayer Rules
Why iPlayer is the one exception
What Counts as Live TV?
Platform-by-platform guide
All Payment Options
Monthly, quarterly, weekly, annual
Fee Changes
2026 increase context
UK vs Germany
Licence vs Rundfunkbeitrag
UK vs Ireland
£180 vs €160 comparison