You will need to enable Javascript in your web browser in order to use all the features of our website.
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.
You only need one TV Licence per household, even if you use more than one of the devices listed above. A TV Licence costs £159 for colour TV, and £53.50 for black and white.
Live TV means any programme you watch or record as it’s being shown on TV or live on any online TV service. It’s not just live events like sport, news and music. It covers all programmes on any channel, including soaps, series, documentaries and even movies.
If you’re watching live TV, you need to be covered by a TV Licence:
Find out more about watching live TV.
An online TV service is any streaming or smart TV service, website or app that lets you watch live TV over the internet. This includes services like All 4, Sky Go, Virgin Media, Now TV, BT TV, Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and ITV Hub. Find out more about watching online and on mobile devices.
If you’re thinking of buying a new TV you may find our TV buying guide helpful.
You also need to be covered to download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand. This applies to any device and provider you use.
It doesn’t matter what device you use. If you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. This includes:
Pay for a TV Licence now or find out about ways to pay.
Tell us if you think you don't need a TV Licence
You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch programmes live on any online TV service - such as ITV Hub, All 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV or Sky Go. You don’t need a TV Licence if you only ever watch on demand programmes on any TV service apart from BBC iPlayer.
You don’t need a TV Licence to watch videos or clips on demand on YouTube. But you do need a TV Licence if you watch TV programmes live on YouTube. An example of this would be watching Sky News live. But it isn’t just live news or sport which needs a licence – it’s any programme which is part of a TV channel, broadcast or transmitted for everyone to watch at the same time.
If you’re watching away from your home on a phone, tablet or laptop, and:
Pay for a TV Licence now or find out about ways to pay.
Tell us if you think you don't need a TV Licence
Yes, you need a TV Licence to watch any TV channels live (broadcast or online), even if these are from outside the UK. This applies no matter what device you’re using.
Anybody can buy a TV Licence.
There are no age restrictions. However, people who are aged 75 years or over and receive Pension Credit are entitled to a free over 75 TV Licence.
For you and your home.
For your business or organisation.
You need a TV Licence if anyone on your premises watches or records live TV programmes on any channel, or downloads or watches BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, on devices provided by your business.
This applies to employees at their desks, in a canteen or staff area, and customers in waiting areas, shop floors or anywhere else. Find out more about licences for businesses or organisations.
Moving to the UK?
We’ve put together some useful tips to help you get organised if you are thinking of moving to the UK.
Please tell us if you think you don't need a TV Licence.
Your feedback is valuable to us. Please don’t include personal or financial
information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.