Can I get a free TV licence at 75?

For people aged 74 or over who get Pension Credit, or live with a partner who does, and want a free TV licence.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Yes, if you're 75 or over and you, or your partner living with you, get Pension Credit. It covers everyone at your address.

You can apply at 74 if you already get Pension Credit.
People in eligible residential care can get a licence for £7.50.
Registered blind people get 50% off.

Key facts

Free at 75 with Pension Credit
Apply from 74
£7.50 in residential care

What a free licence is worth in 2026/27

A colour TV licence costs £180 from 1 April 2026 (£60.50 for a black and white set). A free licence saves you the full £180 each year.

Who qualifies

You can get a free licence if you are 75 or over and either:

you get Pension Credit, or
you live with your partner and they get Pension Credit

The licence covers everyone who lives at your address. Being 75 is not enough on its own. Pension Credit is the key.

Get Pension Credit first

In 2026/27 it tops up your weekly income to:

Who	Guarantee Credit tops income up to
Single person	£238.00 a week
Couple	£363.25 a week

You may get more if you are disabled or a carer. Ways to claim:

online, if you have already claimed your State Pension
by phone on 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
by post, using the claim form

You can claim up to 4 months before you reach State Pension age. After that, a claim can be backdated by up to 3 months. Once you get Pension Credit, apply for the free TV licence.

How to apply for the free licence

Apply online on the TV Licensing website, or call 0300 790 6071 (minicom 0300 709 6050).
Give details of your Pension Credit, or your partner's.

You can apply at 74 if you already get Pension Credit. You keep paying for your licence until the end of the month before your 75th birthday. Then the free licence starts.

Example. Margaret gets Pension Credit and turns 75 on 12 March. She applies at 74. She pays for her licence up to the end of February, and her free licence covers her from March.

Other TV licence discounts

Situation	What you pay
Registered blind (licence in your name)	50% off, so £90
Living in eligible residential care, sheltered housing or supported housing, and retired and over 60 or disabled	£7.50

For the £7.50 care discount, the manager of your home or housing scheme applies for you.

Related guides

Where this comes from

GOV.UK: Get a free or discounted TV licence
GOV.UK: TV Licence and Cost of TV licence fee set for 2026/27
GOV.UK: How to claim Pension Credit
DWP: Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply to TV Licensing

Common questions

How much is a TV licence in 2026?

A TV licence costs £180, or £60.50 for a black and white TV.

Can I apply for a free TV licence at 74?

Yes, if you already get Pension Credit. You keep paying for your licence until the end of the month before you turn 75.

Does my partner's Pension Credit count for a free TV licence?

Yes. If you are 75 or over and live with a partner who gets Pension Credit, you can get a free licence that covers everyone at your address.

Is there a TV licence discount for blind people?

You can get 50% off if you are registered blind or live with someone who is, as long as the licence is in the blind person's name.

Official sources

1.Get a free or discounted TV licencewww.gov.uk/free-discount-tv-licence
2.TV Licencewww.gov.uk/tv-licence

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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