A TV Licence isn’t covered by your monthly food and accommodation charges.
In Ministry of Defence Single Living Accommodation (SLA) or Service Family Accommodation (SFA), on or off base, you may need a TV Licence.
The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:
This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.
A TV Licence costs £159.
You can pay in one go or spread the cost with a range of Direct Debit options. You can buy and manage your licence online.
The Ministry of Defence fully supports us in applying the law regarding TV Licensing. It’s your responsibility to check if you need a TV Licence and to buy one if you do.
You could be prosecuted if we find that you have been watching or recording live TV programmes on any channel or device, or downloading or watching BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, without being covered by a licence.
The maximum penalty is a £1,000* fine plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.
*Up to £2,000 in Guernsey.
You need a TV Licence if you watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV, on any channel, watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service, or download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer in your room. You only need one TV Licence no matter how many TVs, tablets or other devices you own.
You only need one TV Licence per room no matter how many people share, so you can also share the costs if you want to.
You must be covered by a separate TV Licence. One TV Licence is required for each room where TV receiving equipment is being used.
If you are a member of visiting forces, you will still need a TV Licence if you watch or record live TV programmes broadcast from outside the UK. However, this is only needed for the period you are in the UK.
The base or mess TV Licence doesn’t cover your living accommodation, neither in SLA nor SFA. It is possible you may be covered by your home licence, however most Armed Forces personnel are not. You will only be covered by your home TV Licence:
You don’t need a TV Licence if:
You’re only covered at the address on your TV Licence. But don’t panic. You can update the address to the new one when you move. Update your details to stay covered.
If you’re leaving the country you can cancel your TV Licence and apply for a refund if you have a month or more left on your licence.
When living aboard an HM Ship, you will be covered by the ship’s TV Licence.
One TV Licence covers the whole ship and is a requirement if anyone living aboard watches or records live TV on any channel or device, or downloads or watches BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. This applies whenever an HM Ship is in UK territories, including ports and internal waters.
We have created a leaflet and poster to help communicate the TV Licensing message. You can preview these resources online here:
And order copies by calling 020 8752 6537.