A TV license is a fee you pay to a government or public broadcaster to legally watch or record live television on any channel
A TV license is not the same as a driver's license or any other identification document. It is a separate permission that some countries — most notably the United Kingdom — require you to have before you can watch or record live TV at home, regardless of which channel you are watching or whether you pay for cable or streaming services.
The money from TV licenses funds public broadcasting. In the UK, the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) uses license fees to produce and broadcast programs without relying on advertisements. If you live in the UK and watch or record any live television on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer to watch or record programs, you must have a valid TV license. The requirement applies to everyone in your household, even if only one person watches.
Most other countries do not require a TV license. The United States, Canada, Australia, and many European nations fund public broadcasting through taxes, government budgets, or advertising instead. If you live outside the UK and are reading this because you are moving there, or because you are visiting and wondering about the rules, this guide explains what you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- A TV license in the UK is a yearly fee paid to fund the BBC and is required to watch or record live television on any channel or use BBC iPlayer.
- The UK is one of the few countries that requires a TV license; most other nations do not have this requirement.
- You can watch on-demand content on BBC iPlayer without a license, but watching or recording anything live requires one.
- The cost and how you pay depend on your circumstances — the fee is lower for people over 75 and for blind people, and some households do not need to pay.
- If you do not have a license and watch live TV, you can be fined, and enforcement officers can visit your home to check.
Who needs a TV license in the UK
You need a TV license if you live in the UK and watch or record live television on any channel. This includes terrestrial channels like BBC One and ITV, cable channels, satellite channels, and streaming services that broadcast live content. The channel does not matter — even if you only watch one channel, you still need a license.
You also need a license if you use BBC iPlayer to watch or record anything live, or to watch programs on BBC iPlayer within seven days of broadcast (this is considered "catch-up" viewing). Watching older programs on BBC iPlayer that are more than seven days old does not require a license, and neither does watching on-demand content on other streaming services like Netflix or Now TV.
Everyone in your household is covered by one license. You do not need separate licenses for each person or each television set. However, if you live in a house that has been divided into separate flats or bedsits, each unit needs its own license.
TV license costs and who pays a reduced fee
The standard TV license fee changes each year. The amount depends on whether you have a color television or only a black-and-white set, and whether you are paying for the year or in installments. You can find the current fee on the TV Licensing website, which is the official body that administers licenses on behalf of the BBC.
Some people pay a reduced fee or nothing at all. If you are over 75 years old, you can get a free license. If you are blind or severely sight-impaired, you pay half the standard fee. If you receive certain means-tested benefits, you may not have to pay. If you live in a care home, a hostel, or a hospital, the rules are different and you should check with TV Licensing directly.
You can pay your license fee in one lump sum or in monthly installments by direct debit. If you cannot afford to pay all at once, spreading the cost over the year is an option. If you stop watching live TV, you can cancel your license and receive a refund for any unused portion of the year.
What happens if you watch live TV without a license
Watching live television without a license is against the law in the UK. TV Licensing sends enforcement officers to homes to check whether people have a valid license. If you do not have one and you are caught watching live TV, you can be fined. The fine can be substantial — much more than the cost of a license itself.
An enforcement officer can visit your home, but they do not have the right to enter without your permission. You can ask them to leave or ask to see their identification. However, if you refuse to let them in and they suspect you are watching live TV without a license, they can explore to a court for a warrant to enter your home.
If you are prosecuted and found guilty, the fine is set by a court and can be up to £1,000 (the amount may vary). In addition to the fine, you will have to pay a license fee going forward if you continue to watch live TV. The best approach is to get a license before you start watching, or to contact TV Licensing if you have questions about whether you need one.
How to get a TV license
You can get a TV license online through the TV Licensing website, by phone, or by post. Online is usually the fastest option. You will need to provide your name, address, and date of birth. You will also need to tell TV Licensing what type of television you have (color or black-and-white) and choose how you want to pay.
If you are paying by direct debit, your license will start when ready once your payment is set up. If you are paying by other methods — such as a one-time payment by debit or credit card, or by installments — there may be a short delay before your license is active. TV Licensing will send you a license certificate in the post, which you should keep as proof that you have paid.
If you are moving to a new address in the UK, you should tell TV Licensing your new address. Your existing license will move with you if you are moving within the UK. If you are moving out of the UK, you can cancel your license and may receive a refund.
The difference between live TV and on-demand content
Understanding the difference between live television and on-demand content is important, because you only need a license for live TV. Live television is anything broadcast at the moment it is happening — a news program, a sports event, a drama series as it airs. If you watch it while it is being broadcast, you need a license.
On-demand content is programs you choose to watch whenever you want, after they have already been broadcast. Most streaming services — Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV — are on-demand only, and you do not need a TV license to watch them. BBC iPlayer is different: you do not need a license to watch programs that are more than seven days old, but you do need one to watch or record anything live or within seven days of broadcast.
This distinction matters if you are trying to decide whether you need a license. If you only watch Netflix and old programs on BBC iPlayer, you do not need one. If you watch anything live — even just the news on BBC One once a week — you do need one.
TV licenses in other countries
Most countries do not require a TV license. The United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many European countries fund public broadcasting through other means. In the US, public television (PBS) is funded by viewer donations, grants, and government funding, but there is no requirement to pay a fee to watch television.
Some European countries do have license fees similar to the UK. Germany, France, and the Netherlands have public broadcasting fees that work in a similar way, though the rules and amounts vary. If you are moving to another country and want to know whether a TV license is required, you should check the rules for that specific country.
If you are a UK citizen moving abroad, you will not need a TV license in most other countries. If you are moving to the UK from abroad, you will need to get one before you start watching live television.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a TV license if I only watch streaming services like Netflix?
No. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and most other streaming services do not require a TV license because they are on-demand — you watch programs when you choose, not when they are broadcast live. You only need a license if you watch or record live television on any channel, or if you use BBC iPlayer to watch programs within seven days of broadcast.
What if I live with other people — do we each need our own license?
No. One TV license covers everyone in your household, regardless of how many people live there or how many televisions you have. However, if your home is divided into separate self-contained units (like a house split into flats), each unit needs its own license.
Can I watch live TV on my phone or computer without a license?
No. The rule applies to any device — television, computer, phone, or tablet. If you watch or record live television on any channel using any device, you need a license. The only exception is BBC iPlayer on-demand content that is more than seven days old.
What should I do if an enforcement officer visits my home?
You can ask to see their identification and ask them to leave. They do not have the right to enter your home without permission. However, if they suspect you are watching live TV without a license and you refuse entry, they can explore to a court for a warrant. The best approach is to get a license before they visit, or to contact TV Licensing if you have questions about whether you need one.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my TV license partway through the year?
Yes. If you stop watching live television and cancel your license, TV Licensing will refund the unused portion of your fee. You should contact them to cancel and explain that you no longer watch live TV. The refund is usually processed within a few weeks.