The UK Free TV Licence For Over 60s: 5 Crucial Facts You Must Know In 2025
The question of a free TV Licence for over-60s in the UK is one of the most persistent and confusing topics for older residents, often leading to misunderstandings about eligibility and the current cost of the fee. As of today, December 20, 2025, the reality is that the universal free TV Licence for all older people has been significantly restricted, and the concession is no longer available to everyone over the age of 60 or even 75. The rules are now tightly linked to a specific benefit, making it essential to understand the updated criteria to avoid a hefty fine.
The current policy, which came into effect in 2020, transferred responsibility for the concession from the UK Government to the BBC, dramatically changing who qualifies. This article cuts through the misinformation to provide the five most critical, up-to-date facts you need to know about the TV Licence concession, including the new fee structure for 2025 and the exact steps required to claim your entitlement.
Fact 1: The 'Over 60s' Free TV Licence is a Myth—Here is Who Really Qualifies
It is a common misconception that all UK residents over a certain age, particularly the over-60s, are entitled to a free TV Licence. This has not been the case for several years. The original concession was for all people aged 75 and over, but this universal benefit was scrapped in July 2020.
The only way to qualify for a free TV Licence in the UK today is to meet two strict criteria:
- Age Requirement: You must be aged 75 or over (you can apply when you are 74).
- Benefit Requirement: You, or your partner living at the same address, must be receiving Pension Credit.
If you are 75 or older and do not receive Pension Credit, you are unfortunately required to pay the full annual fee. This policy change has reduced the number of eligible households from approximately 4.5 million to around 1.5 million, highlighting the financial impact on many seniors.
Understanding Pension Credit and Eligibility
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit designed to top up the income of pensioners who are on a low income. Crucially, even a small award of Pension Credit can unlock the free TV Licence. It is estimated that up to a million eligible pensioner households are not currently claiming this vital benefit, meaning they are missing out on the free licence and other entitlements.
Pension Credit is made up of two parts:
- Guarantee Credit: Tops up your weekly income if it is below a certain amount.
- Savings Credit: An extra amount for people who have saved some money towards their retirement.
If you or your partner receive either Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit, you meet the benefit requirement for the free licence. The licence covers everyone living at your address.
Fact 2: The New TV Licence Fee for 2025 and How to Apply for the Concession
To provide the most current financial context, the cost of a standard colour TV Licence has increased. The licence fee changed on 1 April 2025, with the new annual cost set at £174.50 for a colour licence. A black and white licence costs £58.50.
If you are aged 75 or over and receive Pension Credit, the application process for your free TV Licence is straightforward and essential to complete:
- Check Your Pension Credit: Ensure you are receiving Pension Credit. If you are not, you must apply for it first through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
- Gather Your Details: You will need your National Insurance number, date of birth, and proof of your Pension Credit award.
- Apply to TV Licensing: You can apply online at the official TV Licensing website or by phone. The dedicated application methods are:
- Online: Visit the official TV Licensing website and use the specific 75+ application form.
- Phone: Call the dedicated line at 0300 790 6083 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 6:30 pm).
- Confirmation: Once approved, your licence will be issued at no cost and will be renewed annually, provided you remain eligible for Pension Credit.
Fact 3: Other Concessions and Discounts Available to Seniors
While the free licence is restricted, other valuable concessions exist for specific groups of people, regardless of age. These discounts can significantly reduce the annual cost of the licence fee.
50% Discount for the Severely Sight Impaired (Blind)
If you, or someone you live with, are legally registered as severely sight impaired (blind), you are entitled to a 50% reduction on the cost of a TV Licence.
- Discounted Cost: As of 1 April 2025, the 50% discounted colour licence fee is approximately £87.25.
- How to Apply: You must provide proof of registration, such as a copy of your Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) or a letter from an eye specialist. The licence must be in the blind person's name.
Concessions for Residential Care
People living in certain residential care homes, sheltered housing, or warden-controlled accommodation may be eligible for a concessionary licence, known as the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) scheme. This can be a significantly reduced fee or, in some cases, a free licence, depending on the scheme and the type of accommodation. You should check with your scheme manager to see if your address is covered.
Fact 4: The Ongoing Campaign to Restore Universal Free Licences
The restriction of the free TV Licence has been highly controversial and remains a significant political and social issue in the UK. Many organisations are actively campaigning for the government to take back responsibility and restore the universal benefit for all over-75s, or even all pensioners.
Key entities involved in the campaign include:
- Age UK: They ran the "Switched Off" campaign, which garnered widespread public support and petition signatures, opposing the BBC's decision to axe the universal concession.
- National Pensioners Convention (NPC): The NPC continues to campaign for the free TV Licence for the over-75s to be fully reinstated on a universal basis.
- Silver Voices: This group is also actively campaigning for the restoration of the free licence, arguing that many seniors are living on the breadline with only the television for company.
The debate highlights the financial strain on older people and the importance of television as a source of information and companionship, particularly for those who are isolated. Political parties, such as the Labour party, have previously indicated a desire to see a state-financed free TV Licence for all pensioners, suggesting the issue is far from settled.
Fact 5: The Historical Context of the Free TV Licence
To fully appreciate the current situation, it is helpful to look at the history of the concession. The universal free TV Licence for people aged 75 or over was first introduced in November 2000.
For nearly two decades, this concession was funded by the UK Government. However, as part of a 2015 agreement, the responsibility for funding the concession was transferred to the BBC, effective from 2020. The BBC stated that funding the concession for all over-75s was unsustainable for its budget, leading to the decision to restrict eligibility to those receiving Pension Credit. This move was met with significant public and political backlash, with half a million people signing petitions in opposition.
The policy shift created a two-tier system where a pensioner's ability to watch television legally without cost is now directly tied to their income and their success in claiming Pension Credit, rather than simply their age. Therefore, for most people over 60, the most critical step to securing a free licence later in life is to ensure they are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, particularly Pension Credit, when they reach 75.
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