Do I Need a TV Licence? UK Rules Explained
You need a TV licence to watch or record live television on any channel or service, and to watch or download anything on BBC iPlayer, even if you never watch a live broadcast. You do not need one just to watch on-demand content on services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, All 4 or ITVX, or non-live YouTube. The fee is £180 a year for a colour licence from 1 April 2026.
Do You Need a TV Licence?
The answer depends on what you watch, not what device you own. You need a TV licence if you do either of the following, on any device, including a TV set, laptop, tablet, phone or games console.
You need a licence to watch or record live television. This covers any channel and any service, not just the BBC. It includes live streams on Sky, Now, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Live and any other live broadcast, whether it comes through an aerial, satellite dish, cable or the internet.
You need a licence to use BBC iPlayer at all. This applies to live programmes, catch-up programmes and anything on demand through iPlayer. It makes no difference whether you ever watch a live broadcast; using iPlayer for any purpose requires a licence.
You do not need a licence if you only watch on-demand, catch-up content on other services, such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video's on-demand library, All 4, ITVX's catch-up library, or YouTube videos that are not live streams. This is the boundary that trips people up: streaming services generally do not require a licence, but the moment you watch anything live, or anything at all on iPlayer, you do.
The Legal Basis
The requirement comes from Communications Act 2003, s.363, which states that a television receiver must not be installed or used unless authorised by a licence. What counts as a "television receiver" is defined by regulation 9 of the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/692).
Regulation 9's original wording covered devices used to receive live television broadcasts. Paragraph (1) was substituted on 1 September 2016 by the Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/704), which extended the definition to cover devices used to receive BBC on-demand programme services, meaning BBC iPlayer. That 2016 change is why iPlayer use on its own, without any live viewing, now requires a licence.
What the Licence Costs
| Licence type | Fee from 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Colour TV licence | £180 |
| Black and white TV licence | £60.50 |
The fee is set annually and linked to the Consumer Prices Index under a funding settlement agreed with the BBC in 2022. The fee was frozen at £159 from 2021 to 2024, then rose to £169.50 on 1 April 2024, £174.50 on 1 April 2025, and £180 on 1 April 2026.
Who Needs to Buy the Licence
Households. One licence generally covers everyone living together in a single household, including a group sharing communal living space or on a joint tenancy agreement.
Separate tenancies. If people in the same property have separate tenancy agreements, for example separate rooms let individually in a shared house, each tenancy holder needs their own licence for their own space.
Students. A student living away from home in halls of residence or a rented room needs their own TV licence to watch live TV or use iPlayer in that room. A licence held by a parent at the family home only extends to a device the student takes with them if it is battery-powered and not plugged into the mains or connected to an aerial while away.
Concessions and Discounts
Over-75s. A free licence for people aged 75 or over is only available if the licence holder, or their partner, receives Pension Credit. This has been means-tested since 1 August 2020. It is not automatic; you need to apply and provide evidence that you or your partner receives Pension Credit.
Blind or severely sight impaired. Someone who is blind or severely sight impaired can get a 50% reduction on the licence fee, under regulation 5 of the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004.
Residential and sheltered care. Some residents of qualifying care homes and sheltered housing schemes can get a licence at a reduced rate through an Accommodation for Residential Care scheme. The exact terms depend on the scheme and the accommodation provider, so check with the scheme manager or TV Licensing directly for the current rate.
No licence needed. If you genuinely do not watch or record live TV on any channel and do not use BBC iPlayer, you do not need a licence. You can tell TV Licensing this with a "no licence needed" declaration, which they may follow up on to confirm.
Related Reading
For what happens if you do not have a licence, including the offence, enforcement powers and where the law currently stands on decriminalisation, see TV licence law and enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a TV licence to watch Netflix or Amazon Prime?
No, not for on-demand content. You do not need a TV licence just to watch Netflix, Disney+ or the on-demand library on Amazon Prime Video, All 4 or ITVX. You only need a licence if you also watch live TV on any service or use BBC iPlayer.
Do I need a TV licence for BBC iPlayer?
Yes. You need a TV licence to use BBC iPlayer for any purpose, including catch-up and on-demand programmes, not just live broadcasts. This has been the rule since 1 September 2016.
How much is a TV licence in 2026?
A colour TV licence costs £180 a year from 1 April 2026. A black and white licence costs £60.50. The fee rises each April in line with the Consumer Prices Index under the BBC's 2022 funding settlement.
Do students need their own TV licence?
A student living in halls of residence or a separately rented room generally needs their own TV licence to watch live TV or use iPlayer in that room. A parent's licence at the family home only covers a device that is battery-powered and not plugged in or connected to an aerial while the student is away.
Who gets a free TV licence?
A free TV licence for over-75s is available only if the licence holder or their partner receives Pension Credit. It is means-tested and not automatic; you must apply and provide evidence of receiving Pension Credit.
Do I need a TV licence if I only watch YouTube?
You do not need a licence to watch ordinary, non-live YouTube videos. You do need a licence if you watch a live stream on YouTube, such as a live sports broadcast or news channel.
What if I never watch live TV or iPlayer?
If that is genuinely true, you do not need a TV licence. You can tell TV Licensing you do not need one through a no licence needed declaration, and they may contact you to confirm your circumstances.
Updates
The TV licence fee rose to £180 a year for colour (£60.50 black and white), a CPI-linked increase under the 2022 funding settlement.
Sources and References
- Communications Act 2003, s.363 (television receivers to be licensed)(legislation.gov.uk).gov
- Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004, regulation 9 (meaning of television receiver, as substituted 2016)(legislation.gov.uk).gov
- Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/704), bringing BBC iPlayer within the licence requirement from 1 September 2016(legislation.gov.uk).gov
- Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004, regulation 5 (concession for the blind)(legislation.gov.uk).gov
- GOV.UK: TV Licence fees and if you don't pay(gov.uk).gov
- GOV.UK: Free or cheap TV licences(gov.uk).gov