TV Licence Checker: Do You Need One in 2026?

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By Alex Davies, TV Licensing Researcher · Verified July 2026 · 2 min

I built this checker to answer the one question I get asked most: do I actually need a TV licence? Answer the questions below and you will get a clear, personalised result in under a minute. It reflects the current UK rules as of July 2026.

£180
A standard colour TV licence costs £180 a year from 1 April 2026. Thousands of households pay it without needing to, because they only watch on-demand services.
Source: TV Licensing / GOV.UK, 2026 fee
Key takeaways
  • → You need a licence to watch or record live TV on any channel, or to use BBC iPlayer. (GOV.UK)
  • → You do not need one if you only stream on-demand services like Netflix, ITVX, Channel 4 or My5 (not BBC iPlayer). (TV Licensing)
  • → Over-75s pay too, unless someone in the household receives Pension Credit. (GOV.UK)
  • → Not a UK resident? You do not need a UK TV licence. (TV Licensing)
  • → No public register exists to look up whether an address is licensed. (TV Licensing)
Question 1 of 4

Loading the checker… if it does not appear, the guidance below explains exactly when you need a TV licence.

How to check if you already have a TV licence

There is no public register you can search to see whether a home already has a TV licence. TV Licensing does not publish that information, and you cannot look up an address online.

The only way to confirm an existing licence is for the named holder to sign in to their account on the official TV Licensing website. If you have just moved in, the previous occupier’s licence does not pass to you, so you would need your own.

What this checker does instead is answer the more useful question: based on how you watch, do you need a licence at all? Run the quiz above and you will know in under a minute.

When you do and don’t need a TV licence

You need a licence to

  • Watch or record live TV as it is broadcast, on any channel (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky and others)
  • Watch live TV on streaming platforms such as YouTube, Amazon or Now
  • Use BBC iPlayer for anything, live or on demand

You do not need one to

  • Stream on-demand services like Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video
  • Watch catch-up on ITVX, Channel 4 or My5 (but not BBC iPlayer)
  • Watch clips that are not live, or listen to radio

The rule is about how you watch, not what device you use. A laptop, phone, tablet or smart TV all count the same way.

Want the detail on licence-free catch-up TV? See my guide to video on demand and catch-up TV, or browse the shows you can watch without a TV licence.

Special circumstances and refunds

You may be able to claim a refund for the full months left on a licence you no longer need. These are the most common situations.

Moving into a care home

If you move into a care home you may qualify for a refund or a reduced-fee Accommodation for Residential Care licence.

Death of the licence holder

If the licence holder passes away, their estate may be entitled to a refund for the remaining months.

Two licences for one address

If two licences were bought for the same address by mistake, you can apply for a refund on one of them.

You no longer need a licence

If you stop watching live TV and BBC iPlayer before the licence expires, you can claim back the full unused months.

Moving abroad

If you move out of the UK permanently, you can cancel your licence and may receive a partial refund.

Over-75 on Pension Credit

If someone in the household receives Pension Credit, apply for a free over-75 licence rather than paying.

Refunds are claimed through the official TV Licensing website. You will usually need your licence number and the date you stopped needing it.

Watching UK TV from abroad

Your TV licence question is separate from access. UK streaming services like BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4 are geo-blocked outside the UK, so you need a VPN with a UK server to reach them while travelling.

In my testing across more than 30 countries, ExpressVPN unblocked BBC iPlayer most reliably. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free.

Try ExpressVPN risk-free Read the full abroad guide →

Frequently asked questions

How can I check if I already have a TV licence?
There is no public register you can search to see if an address has a TV licence. Only the licence holder can confirm it by signing in to their account on the official TV Licensing website. This free checker tells you whether you need a licence in the first place, based on how you watch.
Can I check if a property or address has a TV licence?
No public lookup exists for checking whether a property or address holds a TV licence. TV Licensing only confirms a licence to the named holder when they sign in. If you have moved into a new home, the previous occupier’s licence does not transfer to you.
Is it TV licence or TV license?
Licence is the correct UK spelling for the noun, and it is the spelling used on all official TV Licensing and GOV.UK pages. License with an s is the US spelling. Both refer to the same thing.
Do over-75s get a free TV licence?
Since August 2020 a free over-75 licence is only available to households where the licence holder, or a partner living with them, receives Pension Credit. Over-75s who do not receive Pension Credit have to pay the standard fee if they watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer.
Do I need a TV licence for Netflix or BBC iPlayer?
You do not need a TV licence to watch on-demand services such as Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video. You do need one to use BBC iPlayer for any content, and to watch or record live TV on any channel.

Methodology

This checker applies the published TV Licensing rules for the UK. The questions map directly to the two triggers that require a licence: watching or recording live TV on any channel, and using BBC iPlayer.

The over-75 branch reflects the post-2020 rule that ties the free licence to Pension Credit. Results are guidance only and do not replace the official TV Licensing guidance linked below.

Sources

  • GOV.UK: TV Licence, https://www.gov.uk/tv-licence
  • TV Licensing: official website and account sign-in, https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk
  • GOV.UK: over-75s and Pension Credit, https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit
  • TV Licensing: when you need a licence (live TV and BBC iPlayer)
  • TV Licensing: refunds and cancellations guidance
  • BBC: 2026 licence fee announcement (£180 from 1 April 2026)
Disclaimer. This tool gives general guidance based on the publicly available TV Licensing rules. It is for information only and is not legal advice. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, TV Licensing or the BBC. For a definitive answer on your legal obligations, check the official TV Licensing website or seek independent advice.

Last updated: 20 July 2026.