The £174.50 TV Licence Refund: 5 Crucial Ways To Claim Your Money Back In 2025
Are you eligible for a substantial refund on your annual TV Licence fee? With the standard colour TV Licence increasing to £174.50 from April 1, 2025, many UK households are rightly questioning whether they still need to pay this mandatory charge. This is a critical question because if you no longer require a licence, you could be entitled to claim a full or partial refund for the £174.50 fee you have already paid.
The good news, as of December 22, 2025, is that the official rules from TV Licensing confirm that thousands of residents can get their money back. The key lies in understanding the specific eligibility criteria, most notably the 'one-month rule,' which dictates the minimum remaining time on your licence for a claim to be valid. We break down the five most common scenarios that make you eligible for a refund on the new £174.50 fee.
Understanding the New £174.50 TV Licence Fee and Refund Context
The annual cost of a standard colour TV Licence in the UK officially rose to £174.50 on April 1, 2025, representing a £5 increase from the previous £169.50 fee. This increase is tied to inflation and is a necessary payment for any household that watches or records live television, or uses BBC iPlayer (including on services like Freely). The refund discussion centres on the fact that if your circumstances change, you can get back the unused portion of this £174.50 payment, up to the full amount.
The most important general rule for a refund is that you must have at least one complete month left on your current licence when you no longer need it. This is often referred to as the "one-month rule."
5 Key Ways to Claim Your £174.50 TV Licence Refund
Eligibility for a refund typically falls into one of five main categories. If your situation matches any of the points below, you should immediately check the official TV Licensing website to start your application process.
1. You Have Moved to a New Address and No Longer Need the Licence
This is the most common reason for a refund. If you move out of your property and will not require a TV Licence at your new address—perhaps because you are moving abroad, moving in with family who already have a licence, or moving into a property where you will only stream on-demand services (excluding BBC iPlayer)—you are likely eligible.
- The Rule: You must confirm that you will not need a TV Licence again before the current one expires.
- The Deadline: You can apply for a refund up to 14 days before you stop needing the licence, or up to 14 days after your licence expires.
- The Refund: The refund will cover any complete, unused months remaining on your £174.50 licence.
2. You Are Moving into a Care Home or Residential Facility
If you or a family member is moving into a residential care home, the TV Licence for the previous address can be cancelled. In many cases, the care facility will cover the cost of a communal licence, meaning the individual no longer requires their own. This change in circumstance immediately triggers eligibility for a refund.
This is a particularly important area for elderly residents, and it is crucial to notify TV Licensing as soon as the move is complete to maximise the refund amount.
3. You Have Switched to Streaming-Only Services (Excluding BBC iPlayer)
The law is clear: you only need a licence if you watch or record live TV (on any channel, service, or device) or if you use BBC iPlayer. If you have made a conscious decision to switch to only watching services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or YouTube (excluding live broadcasts), you can cancel your licence and claim a refund.
Crucial Check: Before applying, you must be absolutely certain that no one in your household will use BBC iPlayer or watch live TV on any device, including computers, tablets, or phones. Cancelling a licence when you are still watching live content is a serious offence.
4. The 'One-Month Rule' for General Cancellation
This is the general eligibility condition that applies to almost all non-concessionary refunds. If you decide you no longer need your licence for any reason, you can apply for a refund as long as there is a minimum of one full month left on the licence's validity period.
For example, if your £174.50 licence expires on June 30, and you decide you no longer need it from May 15, you only have one full month (June) remaining. You would be entitled to a refund for that one month. If you stop needing it on April 15, you have two full months left (May and June), and your refund will be calculated accordingly. The refund is calculated on a pro-rata basis for every full, unused month.
5. You Are Eligible for a Concessionary Licence (Over 75 on Pension Credit or Blind)
Specific groups are eligible for a free or heavily discounted licence, and if you become eligible during your licence's term, you can claim a refund for the remaining period.
- Over-75s on Pension Credit: If you or your partner are 75 or over and receive Pension Credit, you are entitled to a free TV Licence. If you meet this criteria, you can apply for a full refund of the £174.50 fee for any unused period, even if it is less than a month.
- Blind (Severely Sight Impaired) Concession: People who are certified as severely sight impaired are eligible for a 50% reduction on the licence fee, meaning they only pay £87.25 (half of £174.50). If you become eligible for this concession, you can claim a refund for the difference for the remaining period of your licence.
How to Apply for Your TV Licence Refund
The process for claiming your refund on the £174.50 fee is straightforward and is managed directly through the official TV Licensing service. It is highly recommended to use the online application process for the fastest resolution.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Confirm Eligibility: Use the official TV Licensing refund calculator or eligibility checker to confirm you meet the criteria (e.g., the 'one-month rule').
- Gather Details: You will need your TV Licence number, the date from which you no longer needed the licence, and your bank details for the payment.
- Complete the Online Form: The online application is the quickest method. You will be asked to select the reason for your refund (e.g., moving abroad, switching to streaming, concession).
- Receive Payment: If your application is approved, the refund is typically paid within a few weeks. The payment is usually made via BACS transfer directly into your bank account.
It is important to remember that the refund amount is calculated based on the number of full, unused months remaining on your licence. The maximum refund you can receive is the current annual cost, which is £174.50 for a standard colour licence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on TV Licence Refunds
Q: Can I get a refund if I only have two weeks left on my licence?
A: Generally, no. For most circumstances, you must have at least one complete, unused month remaining on your licence (the 'one-month rule'). However, if you are claiming the Over-75 Pension Credit or Blind concession, this rule does not apply, and you can be refunded for any unused period.
Q: What is the cost of a Black and White TV Licence?
A: The cost of a black and white TV Licence is £58.50 from April 1, 2025. Refunds for this licence are calculated using the same 'one-month rule' based on this fee.
Q: What if I start watching live TV again after getting a refund?
A: If you claim a refund and then start watching or recording live TV or using BBC iPlayer, you must immediately purchase a new TV Licence. Failure to do so is against the law and could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
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