TV Licence Exemptions and Concessions 2026
Not everyone pays full price. If you are over 75 with Pension Credit, registered blind, or living in a care home, you may qualify for a free or discounted TV licence.
FREE: Over 75 with Pension Credit
If you or your partner receive Pension Credit and you are aged 75 or over, you are entitled to a free TV licence funded by the BBC.
How to qualify
- • You must be aged 75 or over
- • You or your partner must receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit, Savings Credit, or both)
- • The licence is issued in the name of the Pension Credit recipient
- • It covers your household, so your partner and anyone living with you is covered
How to apply
- Call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6165 or visit tvlicensing.co.uk
- Provide your name, date of birth, address, and National Insurance number
- TV Licensing will verify your Pension Credit with the DWP
- If confirmed, your free licence will be issued
Common mistake
Being over 75 does not automatically mean you get a free licence. Since August 2020, the universal free licence for all over 75s was ended. You must be receiving Pension Credit. If unsure whether you qualify, call 0800 99 1234.
50% OFF: Registered Blind or Severely Sight Impaired
If you are registered blind or severely sight impaired, you receive a 50% discount on your TV licence.
Colour licence
£90/year
Instead of £180
B&W licence
£30.25/year
Instead of £60.50
You need a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) from a consultant ophthalmologist. Contact TV Licensing with your certificate to apply for the discount.
£7.50: Care Home Residents (ARC Licence)
Residents in qualifying accommodation can get an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) licence for just £7.50/year.
- • Available in residential care homes, nursing homes, and some sheltered accommodation
- • Covers a TV in the resident's own room
- • The accommodation manager applies on behalf of each resident
- • Communal areas need a separate standard licence
£0: Streaming-Only Households
If you do not watch live TV on any channel and do not use BBC iPlayer, you do not need a TV licence at all. This saves you £180/year.
You should declare you don't need one to stop enforcement letters. You can still use Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and catch-up services on ITVX, Channel 4, and My5.
All Concessions at a Glance
| Type | Annual Cost | Discount | Eligibility | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 75 + Pension Credit | FREE | 100% | You or your partner must receive Pension Credit | Contact TV Licensing on 0300 790 6165 or apply online |
| Registered blind | £90/year | 50% | Must have a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) | Contact TV Licensing with your CVI certificate |
| Care home resident (ARC) | £7.50/year | 96% | Resident in qualifying residential/nursing care home | Accommodation manager applies on your behalf |
| No live TV or iPlayer | £0 | 100% | Do not watch any live TV broadcasts or BBC iPlayer | Declare online at tvlicensing.co.uk |