Full list of people entitled to refund on their £174 TV licence

HUNDREDS of thousands of households could be sitting on cash they’re owed as TV Licensing confirms refunds are available for people who no longer need to pay the £174.50 annual fee.

Latest figures from the BBC show the number of licences in force has slumped to 23.8 million in 2024/25, down from 24.1 million the previous year.

There are seven ways license holders can claim back money[/caption]

There are seven main ways households can claim money back, depending on their circumstances.

Here’s the full list.

TV isn’t being watched live or on iPlayer

A refund can be issued when TV receiving equipment at an address is no longer used to watch any live television on any service or BBC iPlayer on any device.

That includes recording or downloading programmes as both count as “use”.

If live TV or iPlayer starts being watched again before the licence expires, a refund will not be given.

Moved to an address already covered

Money can be claimed back if a licence holder leaves a home and moves somewhere already covered by another person’s valid licence, such as a parent’s or partner’s address.

Bought a licence by mistake

Refunds are available where a licence was mistakenly bought when it wasn’t needed, for example, when one was already in place for the property.

If the licence was bought in error because of advice given by TV Licensing, the customer can claim back up to six years of payments.

Switched to a different type of licence

Changing to another licence type, such as moving from a colour licence to a black-and-white licence, can trigger a refund for any full unused months left on the old licence.

The black-and-white licence is £58.50, compared with £174.50 for colour, so the adjustment can be significant.

TV Licensing lists the full set of “replacement” scenarios in its policy.

Blind concession back-payments

Holders who are blind (severely sight-impaired) can pay half the fee and may receive a refund of overpayments if the concession wasn’t applied when the licence was bought.

Evidence such as a qualifying certificate is required.

Free over-75 licence granted

Anyone confirmed for a free over-75 licence (this applies where Pension Credit is received) can get a refund for each complete month remaining on a paid-for licence.

TV Licensing’s easy-read guide confirms the over-75s Pension Credit rule.

After a licence holder dies

Executors can request a refund for any complete months left on a licence after the licence holder’s death, with payment made to the estate if conditions are met.

How long do refunds take?

Refunds are normally calculated in complete months.

Applications can be made up to 14 days before the date a licence is no longer needed.

TV Licensing says refunds are usually processed and issued within 21 days, paid either by cheque or directly into a bank account.

Once a refund is approved, the licence is cancelled automatically.

How to apply

Refund claims can be made online via TV Licensing’s refund page.

Those needing help can use TV Licensing’s published contact lines: general assistance is available on 0300 790 6117; Direct Debit queries on 0300 790 0368; and payment card (cash plan) queries on 0300 555 0286.

What a TV Licence costs in 2025

The colour TV Licence rose to £174.50 a year from 1 April 2025, following a move up to £169.50 the previous year.

The black-and-white licence costs £58.50.

With fees now at £174.50 for colour, checking eligibility against the official criteria is well worth it.