TV Licence in 2026: who needs one, the £180 fee, who watches free — and the £1,000 fine

The TV Licence is one of the most confusing British bills for anyone who has recently moved here. You can watch Netflix without one — but live TV on any channel, whether British, Russian or Kazakh over the internet, you cannot. From 1 April 2026 a licence costs £180 a year, and watching without one risks a fine of up to £1,000.

Here are the GOV.UK rules: who actually needs a licence, who is entitled not to pay, how it works in a house share — and how to cancel legally and get money back.

What is a TV Licence and when do you need one?

It is a state licence to watch broadcast television. You need it in exactly two cases: if you watch or record live TV on any channel on any device — and if you use BBC iPlayer, whether live or on demand. The device does not matter: a TV set, laptop, tablet, phone or set-top box.

The key word is “live”. You need a licence even if you never watch the BBC: the rule covers any channel and any service carrying a live broadcast.

When do you not need a licence?

You do not need one if you only watch: streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+; on-demand TV through ITVX, Channel 4, Amazon Prime Video and the like; ordinary YouTube videos; videos and DVDs. The single exception in that list is BBC iPlayer — it always requires a licence.

So a household that lives entirely on Netflix, YouTube and catch-up is entitled not to pay the £180 — completely legally.

Do I need a licence if I only watch Russian-language channels online?

If it is a live broadcast — yes. The rule makes no distinction between British and foreign channels: a live stream of any TV channel, including via a website, an app or an IPTV box, requires a licence. If you watch the same programmes on demand (not as they are broadcast) and never open BBC iPlayer, you do not need one.

How much does a TV Licence cost in 2026?

From 1 April 2026 — £180 a year (up £5.50 from £174.50). A black-and-white licence costs £60.50. The price is the same for homes and businesses.

The government uprates the fee every April in line with inflation: the current £180 reflects 3.15% — average CPI over the 12 months to September 2025. Expect another rise in April 2027.

One licence per flat — or per person?

The licence is tied to the address, not the person. One licence covers the whole home if the residents have a joint tenancy agreement — the usual situation for families and couples — or if TV is only watched in a shared living area.

In a house share where each person has a separate tenancy for their own room, everyone who watches live TV or iPlayer in their room must buy their own licence.

How does it work for students?

In university halls, your own room needs its own licence; shared areas are usually covered by the accommodation’s licence. There is one concession: if your parents’ home has a licence, you can watch under it at university — but only on a device that is battery powered and not plugged into the mains or an aerial while you watch.

Who gets a free licence?

A free licence goes to people aged 75 or over who get Pension Credit (or live with a partner who does). One free licence covers everyone at the address. You can apply from age 74 — you only pay until the end of the month before your 75th birthday. That is the only category: free licences for all other pensioners were scrapped in 2020. We covered who qualifies for Pension Credit in our state pension guide.

Who gets a discount?

A 50% discount (£90 a year) goes to people registered blind and those who live with them: the licence must be in the blind person’s name, and an existing one can be transferred. A £7.50 licence is available to residents of eligible care homes, supported housing and sheltered accommodation who are over 60 and retired, or disabled; the housing manager applies on your behalf.

Can you pay in instalments?

Yes. The usual options are annually, by monthly or quarterly direct debit, or by payment card. For those struggling to pay there is the Simple Payment Plan — free fortnightly or monthly instalments, expanded in 2026 to around 9,000 more households.

A small trick at the turn of the year: the price is fixed by your renewal date. Renew by 31 March and you pay the old price for a whole year ahead.

What happens if you watch live TV without a licence?

Watching or recording live TV without a licence carries a fine of up to £1,000 (plus costs the court may add). This is not an idle threat — TV Licence cases go through magistrates’ courts in bulk. If a letter has already arrived and money is tight, do not ignore it; we have a separate guide on how to complain and push back.

How do you cancel legally?

If you do not watch live TV and do not use iPlayer, you can cancel on the TV Licensing website — and declare there that you do not need a licence. You get a refund for the unused period if at least one full month remains. When you move home, update the address — the licence is tied to it.

Does a business need a licence?

Yes, at the same £180. There is a special rule for overnight accommodation such as hotels and guest houses: one licence covers up to 15 rooms.

How do you tell in a minute whether you need a licence?

First: do I watch anything live — on any channel, in any language? Second: do I open BBC iPlayer? If both answers are no, you can legally skip the £180 by cancelling and confirming it on the TV Licensing website. If either answer is yes, you need a licence — and buying one is cheaper than a fine of up to £1,000. And third: is there anyone in the house aged 75+ on Pension Credit — in that case the licence is free.