Free TV licence for over-75s: do you qualify?

What the free TV licence is

A TV licence is the annual fee you pay to watch or record live television and to use BBC iPlayer. In 2026 a standard colour licence costs £180 a year (a black-and-white licence is £60.50). The free over-75 TV licence removes that cost entirely for eligible older households.

The big thing to understand is that the rules changed on 1 August 2020. Before then, every household with someone aged 75 or over got a free licence. Now it is means-tested through Pension Credit, so many over-75s have to pay the full fee.

Who qualifies (over-75 plus Pension Credit)

You can get a free TV licence if both of these apply:

• You are aged 75 or over, and
• You - or a partner who lives with you at the same address - receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit, Savings Credit, or both).

The licence then covers everyone living at your address. Reaching State Pension age, or simply being retired, is not enough on its own - the Pension Credit condition is the part that catches people out. If you think you might be entitled to Pension Credit but are not claiming it, that is the single most important thing to check (more on that below).

How much you save

The free licence saves you £180 a year at 2026 rates. Over a typical retirement that adds up to well over a thousand pounds - real money for a household on a fixed income. The fee usually rises a little each April, so the saving tends to grow over time.

How to apply

The free licence is not automatic. Once you have turned 75 and your Pension Credit is in payment, you need to apply to TV Licensing. They check your Pension Credit status with the DWP and set up the free licence. You can:

• Apply online at tvlicensing.co.uk, or
• Call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6117.

Have your existing licence number and your National Insurance number to hand, as these help speed up the check.

If you are 74

If you are 74 and already receiving Pension Credit, you do not have to wait until your birthday to be covered. You can ask TV Licensing for a short-term licence to bridge the gap until you turn 75, and then switch to the free over-75 licence. This keeps you legally covered without paying for a full year you do not need.

Blind and care concessions

Even if you do not qualify for the free over-75 licence, you may be able to pay less:

• Blind (severely sight impaired) concession: if you or someone you live with is registered blind, the licence is half price - £90 instead of £180.
• ARC residential care concession: people in qualifying residential care or sheltered accommodation may get a licence for just £7.50. The accommodation usually arranges this, so ask the manager.
• Black-and-white licence: if you only watch on a black-and-white set, the licence is £60.50.

Do you even need a licence?

Before paying anything, it is worth checking whether you need a licence at all. You do not need one if you only ever watch on-demand services other than BBC iPlayer - such as Netflix or other catch-up apps - and you never watch live broadcast TV as it goes out.

You do need a licence if you watch any live TV as it is broadcast (on any channel or device), or if you use BBC iPlayer at all, whether live or catch-up. For most older households that still watch ordinary television, a licence is required.

How Pension Credit unlocks it

Because the free licence is gated behind Pension Credit, the best route to it is to make sure you are actually claiming Pension Credit if you are entitled. Pension Credit tops a single person's income up to £238.00 a week, or £363.25 a week for couples (2026/27 Guarantee Credit minimums). On top of the cash itself, it can passport you to a free TV licence, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and help with NHS costs.

If you are not sure, use our Pension Credit guide and calculator to check - many people who assume they earn too much actually qualify. It is also worth reading our other benefits and entitlements guides, including Attendance Allowance and the Winter Fuel Payment, which often apply to the same households.