Millions of households across the UK are required to pay the annual TV Licence fee, but significant financial relief is available for certain groups. With the standard colour licence now costing £174.50 per year following an April 2025 increase, understanding eligibility for concessions is more important than ever.
Who Qualifies for a Free TV Licence?
The primary group eligible for a completely free TV Licence are individuals aged 75 or over who are in receipt of Pension Credit. This benefit is separate from the State Pension and is a means-tested top-up for those on a low income. Crucially, the free licence covers everyone living at the same address as the eligible person.
Applicants can apply for the free licence when they turn 74, but payment is required until the end of the month before their 75th birthday. From that point, the free coverage begins. Applications can be made online or by calling 0300 790 6071 (or minicom 0300 709 6050).
Substantial Discounts for Blind and Care Home Residents
For those who are registered blind, or live with someone who is, a 50% discount is available. This reduces the cost of a colour TV Licence to just £87.25 annually. The licence must be registered in the blind person's name to qualify.
A further major discount applies to people living in qualifying residential care homes. Eligible residents—those who are either retired and over 60, or disabled—pay a dramatically reduced fee of only £7.50 per year. Housing managers at these facilities are authorised to apply on behalf of their residents.
Understanding the Licence Fee Changes
The current fee of £174.50 for a colour licence and £58.50 for a black-and-white licence came into effect on 1 April 2025. This represented a 2.9% increase, tied to Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation. The government has confirmed that future annual increases will also be linked to CPI until 2027.
For the vast majority, a TV Licence is legally required to watch or record live TV on any channel, or to download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer. However, checking if you or a family member qualify for a concession could lead to valuable savings. Full details and application forms are available on the GOV.UK and TV Licensing websites.
