The UK TV Licence costs £180 per year for a colour licence in 2026/27, following an increase that took effect on 1 April 2026. A black-and-white TV Licence costs £60.50.
If your TV Licence is about to expire, you can renew it online through the official TV Licensing website. You can also check your licence, update your details, change your address and manage your payment information online.
How Much Is a UK TV Licence in 2026?
The current prices are:
| Licence type | 2026/27 cost |
|---|---|
| Colour TV Licence | £180 |
| Black-and-white TV Licence | £60.50 |
| Blind concession | £90 |
| Eligible residential care accommodation | £7.50 |
| 75+ receiving Pension Credit | Free |
The £180 colour licence came into effect on 1 April 2026, representing a £5.50 increase from the previous £174.50 price. The government says the licence fee will rise again in line with inflation in April 2027.
How to Renew Your TV Licence Online
You can renew your licence online through the official TV Licensing renewal service.
You will normally need:
- Your TV Licence number or customer number
- Your surname
- The postcode of the licensed address
The online service allows you to renew your licence and also manage other details. You can update your contact information, change your address and change the name on your licence. If you pay by Direct Debit, you can also manage your payment details and payment date.
How to Renew
- Go to the official TV Licensing website.
- Select the option to renew your TV Licence.
- Enter your licence or customer number.
- Enter your surname and postcode.
- Check your details.
- Choose your payment method.
- Complete the payment or renewal process.
Be careful with emails or text messages claiming that your licence has expired. TV Licensing warns customers about scams requesting bank or card details.
Can You Pay for a TV Licence Online?
Yes. You can pay online using a debit or credit card.
You can also choose Direct Debit if you want to spread the cost. TV Licensing says monthly Direct Debit payments start from around £15 per month. For a first licence, the first six payments are higher because the licence has to be paid for in advance during the initial payment period.
Other payment options include:
- Debit or credit card
- Direct Debit
- TV Licensing payment card
- PayPoint
- BACS
- Cheque or postal order
Do You Need a TV Licence?
You need a TV Licence if you:
- Watch or record live television programmes on any channel or service
- Watch live television online
- Use BBC iPlayer, including on-demand programmes
This applies whether you watch on a television, computer, smartphone, tablet or another device.
You generally do not need a TV Licence simply to watch on-demand programmes through services such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video or Channel 4’s on-demand service, provided you are not watching or recording live television and are not using BBC iPlayer. You also do not need one just to watch ordinary videos on YouTube.
What Happens If You Don’t Have a TV Licence?
If you watch or record live television or use BBC iPlayer without a required licence, you could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, although the maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey.
Simply deciding not to buy a licence does not make you exempt. Your viewing habits determine whether you need one.
Who Can Get a Free TV Licence?
People aged 75 or over can receive a free TV Licence if they or their partner receive Pension Credit.
The free licence covers everyone living at the address. You can apply online or by phone.
TV Licence for Blind or Severely Sight-Impaired People
Registered blind or severely sight-impaired people can receive a 50% discount.
With the 2026 price, the discounted colour licence is £90. The licence must be in the name of the person who qualifies for the concession.
TV Licence for People in Residential Care
Eligible residents in residential care, sheltered accommodation or supported housing can qualify for a licence costing £7.50.
Generally, the person must be either retired and over 60 or disabled, and the accommodation provider helps with the application.
Can Students Get a TV Licence?
Students can need a TV Licence if they watch or record live television or use BBC iPlayer.
If you live in university accommodation and watch television in your own room, you may need your own licence. However, there are special arrangements for students who live at another address outside term time.
How to Check Your TV Licence
If you have forgotten when your licence expires, you can check your licence online.
The TV Licensing website allows you to sign in using information such as your licence number, surname and postcode. You can view your licence details and manage your account.
If you have received a renewal reminder, you can also use the information on the letter to identify your licence.
Can You Change Your Address Online?
Yes.
If you move house, you can update your TV Licence address online. This is important because your licence is associated with the licensed address.
You can also change your name and contact details through your online TV Licensing account.
Can You Cancel Your TV Licence?
Yes. If you no longer need a TV Licence, you can cancel it online.
You may also be entitled to a refund if you have paid for a period during which you no longer needed the licence, depending on the circumstances and the remaining period.
The government confirms that TV Licence cancellations and refund applications can be made through the TV Licensing website.
Latest UK TV Licence Update for 2026
One of the biggest changes in 2026 is the increase in the annual licence fee.
From 1 April 2026, the standard colour licence increased to £180.
The government has also confirmed that the licence fee will increase again in April 2027, based on inflation. This will be the final year of the current BBC Royal Charter and funding settlement.
What Happens to the TV Licence After 2027?
The future of the TV Licence is currently being reviewed as part of the government’s wider BBC Charter Review.
The current BBC Charter ends on 31 December 2027. The government has said it remains committed to the licence fee for the remainder of the current Charter period while considering the BBC’s longer-term funding arrangements.
Therefore, claims that the UK TV Licence has already been abolished are incorrect.
How Can You Spread the Cost?
If paying £180 at once is difficult, there are several ways to spread the cost.
Monthly Direct Debit
Payments start from around £15 per month. The initial payment arrangement is structured differently because the first licence must be paid for upfront over the first six months.
TV Licensing Payment Card
A TV Licensing payment card allows customers to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Payments can start from around £6.50, depending on the payment arrangement.
PayPoint
There are approximately 28,000 PayPoint locations across the UK, allowing customers to buy or renew a TV Licence and make certain payments using cash or debit card.
UK TV Licence FAQs
How much is a TV Licence in 2026?
A standard colour TV Licence costs £180 per year. A black-and-white licence costs £60.50.
Can I renew my TV Licence online?
Yes. You can renew your TV Licence through the official TV Licensing website using your licence or customer number, surname and postcode.
Do I need a TV Licence for Netflix?
Not simply to watch Netflix on demand. However, you need a licence if you watch or record live television or use BBC iPlayer.
Do I need a TV Licence for YouTube?
You generally do not need a TV Licence simply to watch ordinary YouTube videos. However, a licence is required if you watch live television broadcasts on YouTube.
Is the TV Licence going to be abolished?
It has not been abolished. The government is reviewing the BBC’s future funding arrangements ahead of the new Charter beginning in 2028.
Is the TV Licence going up in 2027?
Yes. The government has confirmed that the fee will rise in line with CPI inflation in April 2027. The exact amount will depend on the applicable inflation calculation.
Final Thoughts
The UK TV Licence costs £180 in 2026/27, and eligible viewers can renew or manage their licence online.
The most important rules are straightforward: you need a licence to watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer, while simply watching most on-demand streaming services does not require one.
For anyone renewing, changing address, checking an expiry date or making a payment, use the official TV Licensing website rather than links contained in unexpected emails or text messages.
The bigger issue to watch is the BBC’s future funding model. The current Charter runs until the end of 2027, and the government is reviewing what happens from 2028 onwards.
