You need a TV licence if you watch or record live TV on any channel or service, or if you use BBC iPlayer. The cost of a standard colour licence went up to £180 a year on 1 April 2026, from £174.50. Many households that only use Netflix or YouTube do not need one, and some people pay less or nothing at all.
This guide explains exactly when you need a licence in 2026, what each type costs, who is exempt, and what happens if you watch without one.
When You Need a TV Licence
The rule is about what you watch and not which device you use. GOV.UK says you need a licence to watch or record live TV on any channel or service, and to use BBC iPlayer. A phone, laptop, tablet, games console or digital box all count in the same way as a television.
| What you do | Licence needed? |
|---|---|
| Watch live TV on any channel, on a TV, laptop, phone, tablet or console | Yes |
| Stream live TV online (ITVX live, Sky Go, Now, live YouTube streams) | Yes |
| Use BBC iPlayer in any way: live, catch-up or on demand | Yes |
| Record a programme as it is being broadcast | Yes |
| Watch Netflix, Disney+ or Prime Video on demand only | No |
| Watch on-demand catch-up on services other than iPlayer (for example ITVX, All 4, My5), not live | No |
| Watch on-demand YouTube videos, DVDs or play games | No |
The word that matters is live. If you watch a programme at the same moment it is being shown on TV or on an online TV service, you need a licence, whoever the broadcaster is. The one on-demand exception is BBC iPlayer: since September 2016 any use of it needs a licence, including catch-up and box sets.
How Much Is a TV Licence in 2026?
The fee is set by the government and rises with inflation. The 2026/27 rates came into force on 1 April 2026.
| Type of licence | Cost from 1 April 2026 | Before April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Colour TV licence | £180 a year | £174.50 |
| Black and white TV licence | £60.50 a year | £58.50 |
| Colour licence, blind concession (50% off) | £90 a year | £87.25 |
| Black and white, blind concession (50% off) | £30.25 a year | £29.25 |
| Residential care (ARC) licence | £7.50 per room or flat | £7.50 |
| Aged 75 or over and you (or a partner at your address) get Pension Credit | Free | Free |
You can pay in one go or by monthly Direct Debit. Spread over twelve months the colour licence works out at £15 a month. The fee is guaranteed until the current BBC charter ends on 31 December 2027.
Who Pays Less or Nothing
Over-75s. A free licence is available only if you are aged 75 or over and you, or a partner living at the same address, get Pension Credit. Being over 75 on its own is not enough, and you have to apply for the free licence. It then covers everyone living at the address. If you are 74, you can apply once you already get Pension Credit, but you pay until the end of the month before your 75th birthday.
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People who are blind. If you are registered blind (severely sight-impaired), you can get 50% off, which is £90 for a colour licence. The licence must be in the blind person’s name.
Residential care. People in sheltered housing or residential care may be able to get an Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) licence for £7.50.
Black and white sets. A black and white licence is £60.50, but it only suits a household with truly monochrome equipment. It does not cover a digital box that can record, because recordings are made in colour, and it does not cover iPlayer downloads.
Streaming Services and BBC iPlayer
If all you watch is Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and similar services on demand, you do not need a licence. You do need one the moment you watch a live channel on any of them. YouTube is on-demand most of the time, but a live broadcast of a TV channel or event as it happens counts as live TV.
BBC iPlayer is the trap. Even one episode of a BBC show on your phone needs a licence, whether you open it in the iPlayer app, on a smart TV or through a Sky, Virgin or Freeview box. If you want to save money by cancelling, delete the app and make sure nobody in the house uses it.
Students, Lodgers and Shared Houses
Licences belong to a household or a separate living space, not to a person. The rules depend on how your tenancy is set up.
| Where you live | What it means |
|---|---|
| Joint tenancy for a whole house or flat | Usually one licence covers everyone |
| Separate tenancy agreement for your own room | You need your own licence if you watch live TV or iPlayer in your room |
| University halls of residence | The building licence does not cover your room, so you need your own to watch live TV or iPlayer there |
| Laptop or phone on battery away from home | Covered by the licence at your home address, as long as it is not plugged in and tuned |
There is no student discount. If you only use your licence for part of the year, for example you go home for the summer, you can claim a refund for full unused months.
How to Cancel Your TV Licence and Get a Refund
You can cancel only if you do not watch or record live TV on any channel or service and do not use BBC iPlayer at all. Cancel online or by phone with TV Licensing. If you have paid for time you will not use, you can ask for a refund for the full months left on the licence. If you move house, update your address instead of cancelling, so your licence follows you.
Cancelling can make sense if you rely on streaming only. If you are trying to cut your monthly outgoings, see our guide to how to cut your streaming subscription costs, which covers the services you pay for alongside the licence.
What Happens If You Watch Without a Licence
Watching or recording live TV, or using iPlayer, without a licence is a criminal offence. You can be taken to court and fined up to £1,000 plus legal costs. The offence itself is not punishable by prison, but failing to pay the fine afterwards can lead to jail. The BBC reports 25,550 convictions for evasion in 2024.
There is debate about changing this. The government’s BBC Charter Review green paper, published in December 2025, reopened the question of enforcement and its public consultation closed in March 2026. As far as we can tell, evasion is still a criminal offence today, and any change from the review would not start before the next charter period begins on 1 January 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a TV licence for Netflix?
Not if you only watch on-demand shows. You need a licence if you also watch live TV on any device, or if you use BBC iPlayer.
Do I need a TV licence to watch BBC iPlayer on my phone?
Yes. Any use of iPlayer, live or on demand, needs a licence, on any device.
Do all over-75s get a free TV licence?
No. A free licence is only for people aged 75 or over who get Pension Credit, or who live with a partner who does. Everyone else pays the full fee, and you have to apply to get the free one.
Does one licence cover my whole household?
One licence covers all the devices at one address, as long as everyone is in the same household. Separate tenancies and separately occupied rooms may need their own licence.
Can I get a refund on my TV licence?
Yes, if you no longer need it. You can apply for a refund for the full months you have not used, for example if you move abroad or stop watching live TV and iPlayer.
How much is the fine for not having a TV licence?
Up to £1,000 plus court costs, imposed by a court after prosecution.
This guide uses GOV.UK, TV Licensing and BBC information as of 7 November 2026. Fees and rules can change, so check GOV.UK before you buy or cancel a licence. This is general information and not legal advice.
