There are different rules depending on whether you have a colour TV or a black-and-white one
Lauren Haughey Lifestyle and Money Reporter
14:16, 27 Sep 2025Updated 14:18, 27 Sep 2025
Certain people do not have to pay for a TV Licence(Image: bymuratdeniz via Getty Images)
The price of a standard TV Licence has gone up for many this year, with the Government hiking the cost to £174.50 in April. This annual fee is usually required for households or businesses that watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer.
However, it might come as a surprise that certain people could qualify for a free or discounted licence under specific conditions. These reductions could also apply to those with black-and-white TV sets, which typically incur a yearly cost of £58.50 under the licence scheme.
Government guidance states that only people over 75 who receive Pension Credit qualify for a free TV Licence, meaning you must have been born in or before a certain date in 1950. You are also eligible for a free licence if you live with a partner who receives Pension Credit, as the licence covers everyone at that address.
It’s crucial to point out that Pension Credit is different from the State Pension. It refers to a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age on a low income, topping up weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single or £346.60 with a partner.
Those claiming Pension Credit can apply for a free TV Licence when they turn 74, but will still need to pay until the end of the month before their 75th birthday. After this point, they will be covered by the free licence, reports the Express.
Furthermore, the Government states that anyone who is blind or in residential care can apply for a discounted TV Licence. To be eligible for the residential care home discount, a person must be either retired and over 60 or disabled.
For those who meet the criteria, the TV Licence cost plummets to just £7.50. Care home managers can also make applications for their residents.
In addition, anyone registered as blind or living with someone who is can claim a 50% reduction on their TV Licence. This slashes the price of a colour licence to £87.25.
Government guidance explains: “The licence must be in the blind person’s name – if it’s not, you can make a new application to transfer it into their name. You’ll need to provide your existing TV Licence number when you apply.”
Those over 75 and receiving Pension Credit can apply for a free licence online or by phone. The Government’s official numbers for this are 0300 790 6071 (telephone) and 0300 709 6050 (minicom). Others who are registered blind can apply for a licence on the TV Licensing website.
For more details, visit GOV.UK or the official TV Licensing website.
What prompted the licence fee increase?
The Secretary of State announced a 2.9% price rise last year, coming into force from April 1, 2025, in line with annual CPI inflation.
The official TV Licensing site confirms this represented a rise of just over 1p per day and constitutes only the second licence fee increase since April 1, 2021. The change has increased the yearly colour licence fee to £174.50 and the black and white licence fee to £58.50.
For the next four years, until 2027, future increases in the licence fee will be in line with CPI inflation.
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