The Government has issued a reminder that some UK households are entitled to a free or discounted TV licence, with concessions available for specific groups including older people and those with visual impairments.
Every UK household where people watch live TV programming or anything on BBC iPlayer must pay for a TV licence, which costs £180 per year as of April 2026. Those who do not watch live TV or iPlayer, or do not have a TV at all, can declare to the TV licensing company that they do not require a licence.
Who qualifies for a free or discounted licence
People aged over 75 or receiving Pension Credit are entitled to a free TV licence, while reduced fees are available for care home residents and blind individuals.
In a written parliamentary question, MP Alison Taylor asked the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) what steps they are taking to ensure that people have access to public broadcasting, particularly those in low income households. In a response from Ian Murray, the Secretary of State for the DCMS, the Government confirmed that certain groups are entitled to discounts on their TV licence fee.
Mr Murray wrote: "TV licence concessions are available to people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired, people over 75 and in receipt of pension credit, and people living in qualifying residential care who are disabled or over 60 years old.
"The government also extended the Simple Payment Plan from February 2025 to allow a greater number of households to split up their annual licence fee payment into more manageable weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments."
Who needs to pay for a TV licence
A TV licence is required if you watch or record TV on any channel on any TV service, including Sky, Virgin Media and Freeview; watch live on streaming services such as ITVX, Channel 4, YouTube and Amazon Prime; or watch BBC iPlayer.
Free and discounted licence eligibility
People aged 75 or older and those receiving Pension Credit can apply for a free TV licence. Discounted licences are available to people who live in qualifying residential care, people who are blind or sight impaired, and people who own a business which provides overnight accommodation.
There are also circumstances in which people can cancel their TV licence and apply for a refund, including moving to an address that already has a TV licence, no longer watching live TV or iPlayer, TV licences bought in error, a replacement TV licence being bought, blind concessions refunds, refunds in consequence of a free TV licence application, and refunds due to the death of the licence holder.
