TV Licensing
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Over 75 TV Licence
The government funded, free over 75 TV Licence scheme is being replaced on 1 June 2020.
Here’s all the information you need to get a free over 75 TV Licence. We recommend you do this when you’re 74 years old, as it will make getting your over 75 TV Licence much simpler when you’re 75.
You need to be covered by a TV Licence, including a free over 75 TV Licence, to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or to download or watch any BBC programmes on iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand. This applies to any device and provider you use.
Already 75 years old? Apply for an over 75 TV Licence.
What is an over 75 TV Licence
After your 75th birthday, you can get a free TV Licence. It covers you as well as anyone you live with.
Please remember that you don’t automatically get an over 75 TV Licence on your 75th birthday. You have to apply for one.
If you’re about to turn 75, please do not cancel your Direct Debit or any other payment for your TV Licence. Once we’ve sent you confirmation of your over 75 TV Licence, we’ll cancel your Direct Debit (if that's the way you pay) and close your payment plan.
If we cancel your Direct Debit after your 75th birthday – and you end up overpaying – we will refund you for the difference.
Your over 75 application guide in PDF format (44 Kb opens in a new window)
Applying for an over 75 TV Licence at 74
It will make things simpler if you apply for an over 75 TV Licence after your 74th birthday.
As a 74-year old, you can get a short-term TV Licence to cover you until your 75th birthday. This lets you pay only for the months you have left until you turn 75.
Here's how it works
- Your current TV Licence is likely to expire some time after your 74th birthday.
- So, when your current licence expires, there will be less than 12 months until your 75th birthday.
- That means you don’t need a TV Licence for another 12 months.
- So, you need a short-term licence to cover you until your 75th birthday. From then on, you will have a free over 75 TV Licence.
If you paid for your existing TV Licence in one annual payment, please only apply for your free over 75 TV Licence in the month that your existing licence expires.
If you live in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man, separate conditions may apply.
Please don’t cancel your Direct Debit or any other payments you make for your TV Licence.
Once we’ve sent you confirmation of your over 75 TV Licence, we’ll cancel your Direct Debit (if that’s the way you pay) and close your payment plan.
What you need to apply for a free over 75 TV Licence
Please have the following details ready:
- Your date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Name and address including postcode
- Current TV Licence number
Where to find your National Insurance number?
Where to find your TV Licence number?
Who can apply
You can apply for a free over 75 TV Licence if you:
- are the current licence holder,
- want to transfer the licence into your name,
- want to apply on behalf of a friend or relative
If you live in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man, separate conditions may apply.
Move your licence to a new address.
- What happens next
-
Please allow 28 days for us to process your application. We may need to contact you if we need any more information. During this time, we will:
- Check that you are eligible.
- Work out the reduced cost of your licence.
- Send you a letter asking for payment.
We'll send you a revised payment plan detailing the remaining payments you will need to make up until your 75th birthday. If you pay by Direct Debit we’ll take these from your bank or building society account.
Then after you have turned 75
- If you pay by Direct Debit we'll cancel it for you
- If you’re a payment card customer we’ll close your account
- We’ll refund any money that we owe you.
Please don’t change or cancel your current payment method. You still need to pay for your TV Licence until your 75th birthday.
Need a new licence?
If you would like to pay by credit or debit card, please call 0300 790 6117*. To pay by cheque or cash, please complete the online application form.
- What happens after you've paid
-
You are covered until your 75th birthday. You will be issued with a receipt, which shows you are licensed. You can print and keep it for your records, if you like.
Near the time of your 75th birthday:
- You’ll get your free over 75 TV Licence.
- If you pay by Direct Debit, we’ll cancel your payments for you. If there is a delay and you overpay, don’t worry – we will refund you.
- Help and how to contact us
-
If you have any questions about applying for your free over 75 TV Licence, please call 0300 790 6117*. We’ll talk you through what you need to do, and you can pay over the phone by debit or credit card, if you like.
Before you call us, please have the following details ready:
- Your date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Name and address including postcode
- Current TV Licence number
For more information, see our FAQ section.
Applying for an over 75 TV Licence at 75
You don’t automatically get a free over 75 TV Licence when you turn 75 – you must apply for one.
If you pay by Direct Debit, we’ll cancel it for you once we’ve processed your application. If there is a delay and you overpay, don’t worry – we will refund you.
In most cases, once you have your free over 75 TV Licence, you don’t need to renew it every year.
If you live in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man, separate conditions may apply.
What you need to apply for a free over 75 TV Licence
Please have the following details ready:
- Your date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Name and address including postcode
- Current TV Licence number
Where to find your National Insurance number
Where to find your TV Licence number
Your over 75 application guide in PDF format (44 Kb opens in a new window)
Who can apply
You can apply for a free over 75 TV Licence if you:
- are the current licence holder,
- want to transfer the licence into your name,
- want to apply on behalf of a friend or relative.
If you live in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man, separate conditions may apply.
Move your licence to a new address.
- What happens next
-
Once you’ve applied for an over 75 TV Licence, please allow 28 days for your application to be processed. During this time, we’ll check that you are eligible. We may contact you if we need more information.
- Help and how to contact us
-
If you have any questions about applying for your free over 75 TV licence, please call 0300 790 6117*.
Before you call us, please have the following details ready:
- Your date of birth
- National Insurance Number. Where to find it
- Name and address including postcode
- Current TV Licence number.
Frequently ask questions
I'm over 75 and pay for my TV Licence. Can I cancel and get a refund?
What if there is more than one person aged over 75 living at my address?
What do I do if a TV Licence holder is now deceased?
What do I need to do if an over 75 TV Licence holder dies?
Will my over 75 TV Licence cover people at my address younger than 75?
I’m moving into a care home. Do I need to cancel my over 75 licence?
If you still have questions take a look at TV Licensing FAQs where you can find all the answers in one place.
*Calls to our 0300 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number, whether from a mobile or landline. If you get inclusive minutes with your mobile, calls to an 0300 number will be included.
