Many older people in the UK still believe turning 60 means they can automatically get a free TV licence. That is not how the rules work now.
There is currently no universal free TV licence for everyone over 60. Instead, free or discounted licences are limited to specific groups, mainly people aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit, people who are blind or severely sight impaired, and some people living in eligible residential care or sheltered accommodation.
The standard licence is also getting more expensive. The annual TV licence fee will rise to £180 from 1 April 2026.
A licence is required if you watch or record live TV on any channel or service or if you use BBC iPlayer on any device.
You do not need one just to watch non-live streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video, as long as you are not watching live broadcasts and not using BBC iPlayer.
Who Can Get a Free or Discounted TV Licence?
The biggest point to understand is that being over 60 alone is not enough. The main concessions are:
| Group | What they can get | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Age 75+ and getting Pension Credit | Free TV licence | Must be 75 or over and receive Pension Credit, or live with a partner who does |
| Blind or severely sight impaired | 50% discount | Applies regardless of age if qualifying evidence is provided |
| Eligible residential care or sheltered accommodation residents | ARC concessionary licence | Costs £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow |
| Age 60 to 74 | Usually no age-based concession | Full fee normally applies unless another concession applies |
These are the current national rules, so most people aged 60 to 74 will still have to pay the normal licence fee unless they qualify through disability or residential care arrangements.
Free TV Licence at 75: The Pension Credit Link
If you are 75 or over, you can get a free TV licence if you receive Pension Credit, or if your partner living at the same address receives it.
The free licence covers everyone at that address. You can even apply when you are 74, provided you already get Pension Credit, but you still need to pay until the end of the month before your 75th birthday.
Pension Credit can be very important because it is also a gateway to other support. For 2026/27, the standard minimum guarantee is £238.00 a week for a single person and £363.25 a week for a couple.
There is also a Savings Credit for some older pensioners who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.
Discount for Blind or Severely Sight Impaired People
If you are registered as blind or severely sight impaired, you can get 50% off the cost of your TV licence.
The same discount can also apply if you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired, though the licence may need to be transferred into that person’s name. Partial sight impairment does not qualify for this concession.
Residential Care and Sheltered Housing Rules
Older people in qualifying residential care settings may be able to use the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) concessionary licence.
This costs just £7.50 per room, flat or bungalow. It is usually arranged through the warden, scheme manager or care home administrator rather than by the resident directly.
How to Apply and Important Payment Dates
Applications for free over-75 licences are made through the licensing system, and verification is usually done using your National Insurance number to confirm Pension Credit.
If you already paid for a licence while eligible for a free one, you may be able to get a refund for the overlapping period.
For people who must still pay, the main payment date to remember is 1 April 2026, when the annual fee rises to £180.
Payment options include weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments, and some plans start from around £6.50, while monthly Direct Debit options are also available.
Final Thoughts
The headline answer is simple: there is no general free TV licence for over-60s in the UK. The real rules are much narrower.
Free licences are mainly for people 75+ on Pension Credit, while discounts are available for blind or severely sight impaired people and some residents in eligible care settings.
Everyone else usually needs to pay the full fee if they watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer.
FAQs
Do over-60s automatically get a free TV licence?
No. There is no automatic free TV licence just for being over 60.
Who can get a free TV licence in 2026?
People aged 75 or over who receive Pension Credit, or who live with a partner receiving it, can get one.