The TV Licence fee is rising from £174.50 to £180 in April 2026, but refunds and exemptions are available for eligible households
TV Licences are typically required for anyone watching BBC iPlayer or live television, including programmes broadcast on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. However, certain people may qualify for a refund, provided specific conditions are met.
According to official TV licensing guidance, you can usually apply for a refund if you won’t need your licence again before it expires and there’s at least one month left on it. The regulations vary for those receiving a blind person’s concession, who can request a refund at any time for any remaining duration on a licence.
“You can apply for a refund if you won’t need your licence again before it expires, and you have at least one complete month left on it,” the guidance states.
“If you’re eligible for a blind concession, you can apply for a refund at any time and for any length of time left on your licence. You can apply for a refund up to 14 days before the date you no longer need the TV Licence.”
The standard charge for a TV Licence increased by 2.9% from April 1, 2025, aligned with the annual CPI inflation rate. This resulted in a daily increase of just over 1p, representing the second fee rise since April 1, 2021.
However, on April 1, 2026, the TV Licence fee is scheduled to increase once more. This will raise standard-coloured TV Licences from £174.50 annually to £180, equivalent to an additional 46p per month.
Speaking on its announcement this month, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport explained: “The increase in the cost of the TV licence will help keep the BBC on a stable financial footing, enabling it to continue to deliver on its Mission and Public Purposes.
“The BBC is the UK’s number one media brand, with 94% of UK adults using the BBC each month last year and it remains the UK’s most widely used and trusted news outlet.
“The government recognises the financial pressures on households and is committed to ensuring the BBC’s funding model is sustainable, fair and affordable. The government has committed to the licence fee for the remainder of this Charter Period.
“To support the public with the cost of the TV licence, we will also continue to support the Simple Payment Plan to spread payments through smaller instalments.”
Complimentary licences continue to be available for those aged 75 or over receiving Pension Credit, alongside reduced fees for care home residents and blind individuals. Further details can be found at GOV.UK here.
What does a TV Licence include?
Your payment includes four main components. These include:
- All TV channels – like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels
- Pay TV services – like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV
- Live TV on streaming services – like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video
- Everything on BBC iPlayer
This covers watching, recording, and downloading on any device. For more information on TV Licences, click here.
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