Check if you need a TV licence and calculate your payment schedule
Based on 2025-26 TV licence fees. Always check tvlicensing.co.uk for the most current rates and eligibility rules.
The TV licence is one of the most debated household costs in the United Kingdom. It funds the BBC's television, radio, and online services, and is required by law for anyone who watches or records live television on any channel, or downloads and streams programmes on BBC iPlayer. For 2025-26, the standard colour TV licence costs GBP 169.50 per year, while the rarely used black and white licence is GBP 57.00. Understanding whether you actually need a TV licence has become more important as viewing habits shift. If you only use on-demand streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or YouTube, and you never watch live broadcasts or use BBC iPlayer, you are legally exempt from needing a licence. However, if you watch even one live programme on any channel (including non-BBC channels like ITV, Channel 4, or Sky), or if you use BBC iPlayer for any purpose including catch-up content, you must have a licence. There are also important concessions available. People aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit are entitled to a free TV licence funded by the BBC. Those registered as blind or severely sight impaired can claim a 50% reduction, bringing the colour licence down to GBP 84.75. This calculator helps you determine whether you need a licence, applies any concessions you qualify for, and shows the cost broken down by your preferred payment schedule.
To use the TV licence calculator: 1. Select the licence type. Choose "Colour (standard)" for the vast majority of cases. "Black and White" applies only if your television set can display solely in black and white, which is extremely rare in 2025. 2. Answer whether you watch live TV on any channel. This includes any programme broadcast live, whether on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, or any other broadcaster, on any device including phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. 3. Answer whether you use BBC iPlayer. This includes live streaming, catch-up, and downloads of any BBC programme through the iPlayer app or website. 4. If applicable, toggle the "Over 75 with Pension Credit" option. You must be aged 75 or over AND currently receiving Pension Credit to qualify for the free licence. 5. If applicable, toggle the "Blind / Severely Visually Impaired" option. You must be registered with your local authority to claim this 50% concession. 6. Select your preferred payment method. You can pay in one annual lump sum, spread the cost by monthly or quarterly direct debit, or use the weekly savings stamp scheme at PayPoint outlets. 7. Review the results. The calculator shows whether you need a licence, any concession applied, the annual cost, and the payment amount at your chosen frequency.
The TV licence calculation follows a decision tree based on viewing habits and concession eligibility. Step 1: Determine if a licence is needed. Licence required = watches live TV OR uses BBC iPlayer If neither applies, the cost is GBP 0 and no licence is needed. Step 2: Select the base fee. Colour licence: GBP 169.50 per year Black and white licence: GBP 57.00 per year Step 3: Apply concessions (in priority order). If over 75 with Pension Credit: annual cost = GBP 0 (fully exempt) If blind/severely visually impaired: annual cost = base fee x 0.50 Otherwise: annual cost = base fee Step 4: Calculate payment amounts. Annual: payment = annual cost (one payment per year) Monthly direct debit: payment = annual cost / 12 Quarterly direct debit: payment = annual cost / 4 Weekly savings stamps: payment = annual cost / 52 Example: Colour licence, blind concession, monthly payment. Annual cost = GBP 169.50 x 0.50 = GBP 84.75 Monthly payment = GBP 84.75 / 12 = GBP 7.06 Example: Black and white licence, monthly payment. Annual cost = GBP 57.00 Monthly payment = GBP 57.00 / 12 = GBP 4.75
The TV licence system is unique to the UK, though several other countries have similar broadcasting fees. The current system is governed by the Communications Act 2003 and enforced by TV Licensing (a trading name used by the BBC). Watching live TV or iPlayer without a valid licence is a criminal offence that can result in a fine of up to GBP 1,000 plus legal costs. If you do not need a licence, you can make a formal declaration at tvlicensing.co.uk. This is not a legal requirement, but it prevents enforcement visits to your address. You can also simply not respond, as there is no obligation to prove you do not need a licence, but making a declaration tends to stop the letters. The over-75 concession has changed significantly in recent years. Until August 2020, all over-75s received a free licence funded by the government. The BBC then took over responsibility and restricted the free licence to over-75 households where at least one person receives Pension Credit. Approximately 900,000 households currently qualify. If you are over 75 but do not receive Pension Credit, you must pay the full fee, though you can choose to pay in instalments. The blind concession requires you to provide your Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) reference number, which you receive when registering as blind or severely sight impaired with your local council. The 50% discount applies automatically once TV Licensing has verified your registration. For those who qualify, our Electricity Cost Calculator and Phone Bill Calculator can help you review other household costs alongside your TV licence.