TV Licensing

You need to be covered by a 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.

Once you or someone you live with are over 74 you are eligible to apply for the over 75 free licence for your household.

If you're aged 74:

We'll process your application within 28 days, taking into account any money you have already paid towards a licence, and we'll calculate how much you need to pay up to your 75th birthday.

The cost may vary according to how many months the licence needs to cover you before you turn 75. However you pay, you will receive a receipt which shows you are covered until your 75th birthday. Please keep this safe.

You will then automatically receive your free over 75 TV Licence in the month of your 75th birthday.

If you're already aged 75:

If you're over 75 but haven't applied for your free licence yet, find out how to cancel and get a refund.

What will I need to apply?

Before you apply please make sure you have to hand:

• Your date of birth
• Your National Insurance number
• Your name, address and postcode
• The current TV Licence number for your household

Don't know your licence number?

Where do I find my National Insurance number? What if I don't have one?

What do I need to do?

We'll explain below how to apply as it may differ based on:

• how you pay for your current licence
• if someone else is the licence holder

If you pay by Direct Debit:

Please don’t cancel your Direct Debit - we will do this for you once we’ve processed your application (this may take up to 28 days). Simply apply for your free over 75 TV Licence.

 

If you're over 74:

We'll send you a revised payment plan detailing the remaining payments we will take from your bank or building society account up until your 75th birthday.

Then at the correct time we will stop taking payments. If you have overpaid we will refund any money that we owe you.

If you're over 75:

We'll cancel your Direct Debit and refund any money that we owe you.

If you pay by payment card:

Please call us on 0300 555 0286* so we can tell you what you need to do next.

If you pay for your licence in one go (e.g. by debit/credit card, cash, cheque):

If you're aged 74 you can only apply in the month your current licence expires. Sign into your licence to check when it expires or apply for your free over 75 licence now.

I'm not the licence holder. Can I transfer the licence into my name when I apply?

If you're over 74 but not the current licence holder for your address.

If you share your home with someone who is not eligible you can still apply for a free over 75 TV Licence in your own name.

If you're 75 and want to transfer an existing free over 75 licence into your name you can apply online using the existing licence number for your address. Don't know your licence number?

I'm under 74 and the licence holder. Can I transfer the licence to someone who is over 75 and eligible?

I'm moving into a care home. Do I need to cancel my over 75 licence?

What do I need to do if an over 75 licence holder dies?

How long will my application take to process?

Please allow 28 days from when you submit your application. We may need to contact you during this time if we need any more information.

How can I pay what I owe until I turn 75?

If you apply online, by email, or post we will send you a letter requesting payment. You can pay in one of the ways below.

Please don’t cancel your Direct Debit - we will do this for you once we’ve processed your application (this may take up to 28 days). Simply apply for your free over 75 TV Licence.

 

If you're over 74:

We'll send you a revised payment plan detailing the remaining payments we will take from your bank or building society account up until your 75th birthday.

Then at the correct time we will stop taking payments. If you have overpaid we will refund any money that we owe you.

If you're over 75:

We'll cancel your Direct Debit and refund any money that we owe you.

At PayPoint

You can make payments by cash or debit card at any PayPoint using the barcode printed on the revised renewal letter we send you. You will be issued with a receipt which shows you are licensed – please keep this safe. You’ll receive your free over 75 TV Licence in the month of your 75th birthday.

You can find your nearest PayPoint at PayPoint locator. To check disabled access call 0800 310 0000. There aren’t any PayPoints in the Channel Islands. Instead you can pay at any post office.

By phone

Call us on 0300 790 6165* to pay by debit or credit card.

By Post

If you prefer to send us a cheque, see How to pay by cheques and postal orders.

How to contact us

Please call 0300 790 6130* if you have any queries about how to apply for your free over 75 TV licence. We'll talk you through what you need to do, and you can pay over the phone by debit or credit card if you prefer.

Please make sure you have to hand:

*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.