thirtieth Sep 2025
Studying Time: 3 minutes
In the event you’re nonetheless coughing up £174.50 a 12 months for a TV licence within the UK, you can be losing cash unnecessarily. The foundations round who truly must pay have modified in 2025, and many individuals—together with college students, pensioners, and even Fireplace Stick customers—could possibly be eligible for exemptions and must know the foundations in order that they don’t get in bother.
On this information, we’ll break down precisely who should pay, who doesn’t, and the way you can get monetary savings. From free licences for pensioners to 50% reductions for the visually impaired, and the sneaky traps Fireplace Stick customers must be careful for, we cowl every thing it’s essential know to keep away from overpaying.
What Is the TV Licence Price For?
The TV licence price is a authorized requirement for anybody who watches or data stay tv broadcasts or makes use of BBC iPlayer. The funds collected are primarily used to finance the BBC’s tv, radio, and on-line companies.
Can You Legally Keep away from Paying?
Sure, in sure circumstances, you’ll be able to legally keep away from paying the TV licence price:
1. Over 75 and Receiving Pension Credit score
All UK residents aged 75 or above are eligible for a free TV licence, supplied they or their accomplice residing on the identical deal with obtain Pension Credit score.
2. Not Watching Stay TV or BBC iPlayer
In the event you don’t watch stay tv broadcasts or use BBC iPlayer, you do not want a TV licence. This contains catch-up companies like ITVX, Channel 4, or Netflix, so long as the content material is just not stay.
3. Blind or Severely Sight Impaired
People who’re blind or severely sight impaired can apply for a 50% low cost. For a color licence, that’s £87.25/12 months.
4. Dwelling in Residential Care
In the event you stay in a residential care house and don’t watch stay TV or use BBC iPlayer, chances are you’ll not want a TV licence.
5. Individuals on Common Credit score, PIP, and Different Advantages
Eligibility free of charge or discounted licences will depend on your circumstances:
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Over 75 and on Pension Credit score: Robotically eligible.
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Blind or Severely Sight Impaired: Eligible for 50% low cost no matter age or advantages.
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PIP recipients: PIP alone does not qualify for a free licence, however if you’re blind or severely sight impaired, you’ll be able to declare the 50% low cost.
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Different advantages: Revenue-based JSA, Revenue Help, ESA, or UC don’t routinely grant a free licence.
Necessary: Even in the event you obtain UC, PIP, or different advantages, you continue to want a licence in the event you watch stay TV or BBC iPlayer. All the time test your eligibility with TV Licensing.
College students and College Halls
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Halls of residence: Normally one TV licence covers all rooms.
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Home or flat shares: If in case you have a separate contract to your room, chances are you’ll want your individual licence.
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Units: Watching stay TV on battery-powered gadgets solely could not require a licence, however plugging into mains does.
Fireplace Stick and Streaming Customers
Amazon Fireplace Stick customers must be cautious. Whereas streaming platforms like Netflix or Disney+ don’t require a TV licence, accessing stay BBC channels by way of Fireplace Stick’s stay tab does. Watching with no legitimate TV licence can result in a £1,000 advantageous.
Apply for Exemptions or Reductions
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Free TV Licence (75+ & Pension Credit score): Apply by way of TV Licensing web site or helpline.
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Blind or Severely Sight Impaired: Apply by way of the TV Licensing web site with proof.
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Not Watching Stay TV: No utility wanted; make sure you don’t watch stay broadcasts or use BBC iPlayer.
Last Ideas
With the 2025 updates, it’s essential to make sure you’re not paying for a TV licence unnecessarily.
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Verify age and advantages: Over 75? On Pension Credit score? Blind? You might save a whole bunch.
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College students and Fireplace Stick customers: Concentrate on your residing state of affairs and the danger of fines for stay BBC content material.
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UC, PIP, and different advantages: Confirm eligibility rigorously.