5 Key Ways To Claim A TV Licence £174.50 Refund: The Full Eligibility Guide For 2025
The annual cost of a UK colour TV Licence officially increased to £174.50 from April 1, 2025, up from the previous £169.50 fee. This new figure is now the benchmark for all new licences and renewals, but it also represents the maximum amount of money you may be able to claim back if your circumstances change. With the cost of living remaining a key concern for UK households, understanding the precise rules for cancelling your licence and claiming a refund is more important than ever, especially if you no longer meet the legal requirement to hold one.
The good news is that thousands of UK residents are legally eligible to claim a full or partial refund on the new £174.50 fee. The core principle revolves around the ‘one complete month’ rule, which dictates that you must have at least one full, unused month left on your current licence when you cancel. This guide, updated for the current date, December 22, 2025, breaks down the exact scenarios and the steps needed to successfully recover your money from TV Licensing.
The New £174.50 TV Licence Fee Explained and Why Refunds Are Relevant
The TV Licence fee funds the BBC’s services, including television, radio, and online content like BBC iPlayer. The fee is set by the government and typically rises each year in line with inflation, which led to the recent increase to £174.50.
For most households, this fee is a non-negotiable annual expense. However, the legal requirement is very specific: you need a licence if you watch or record programmes as they’re shown on TV, or if you download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer (live, catch up, or on demand). If you no longer do any of these things, you are legally entitled to cancel your licence and request a refund for the unused time.
The £174.50 figure represents the full annual cost. Therefore, claiming a "£174.50 refund" means you are claiming back the entire amount, which is only possible if you cancel very shortly after purchasing a licence and meet the 'one complete month' criteria. In most cases, you will be claiming a significant *partial refund* based on the number of full calendar months remaining on your licence.
5 Key Ways to Claim Your TV Licence £174.50 Refund (or a Partial Payment)
Eligibility for a refund hinges on a change in your circumstances that means you no longer need the licence. Here are the five most common and valid reasons for a successful refund application, all of which must satisfy the 'one complete month' rule.
1. Moving Abroad Permanently
If you are leaving the UK to live overseas, you will no longer require a UK TV Licence. This is one of the clearest grounds for a refund. You must be able to prove that you will not be watching, recording, or using BBC iPlayer services in the UK again before the licence expires. The refund will be calculated from the date you left the country, provided you apply within the required timeframe.
2. Moving Into a Care Home or Residential Facility
When a licence holder moves into a residential care home, they typically no longer need their own licence. A refund can be claimed for the licence covering their previous address. In some cases, care home residents may be covered by a single, cheaper licence for the entire facility. This change in residence is a straightforward reason to apply for a cancellation and refund.
3. No Longer Watching Live TV or Using BBC iPlayer
This is the most common reason for a voluntary cancellation. If you decide to stop watching or recording live television broadcasts on any channel, and you also cease to use BBC iPlayer for any content, you do not legally require a licence. Crucially, you must be certain that you meet this criteria and will not use these services again before the licence expiry date. TV Licensing may conduct checks to confirm your eligibility.
4. Death of the Licence Holder
In the unfortunate event that the licence holder passes away, the executor of the estate can apply for a full refund for the remaining period of the licence. The refund can be claimed for any unused full months. This process requires providing the licence number and the date of death. The application can usually be made by the person dealing with the estate.
5. Duplicate or Accidental Payment
Sometimes, a household may accidentally pay for a new licence while the old one is still valid, or two people in the same household may purchase separate licences. If a duplicate payment has been made, you are entitled to claim a full refund for the accidental second licence. This is one of the few scenarios where a full £174.50 refund is most likely, assuming the second payment was made recently.
The Crucial 'One Complete Month' Rule and How the Refund is Calculated
Understanding the refund calculation is vital to managing your expectations. TV Licensing calculates refunds based on the number of full, unused calendar months remaining on your licence. This is the core of the eligibility criteria.
The 'One Complete Month' Requirement
To qualify for any refund, you must have at least one full, unused month remaining on your licence at the time you no longer need it. For example, if your licence expires on October 15th, and you stop needing it on September 20th, you only have 25 days left, not a full month, and therefore would not be eligible for a refund. If you stop needing it on August 1st, you have August, September, and part of October left—meaning you have two full months, making you eligible.
The Calculation Process for Partial Refunds
The refund amount is a pro-rata calculation. You will receive a refund for every full, unused month you have remaining. The amount is calculated by dividing the annual fee (£174.50) by 12, and then multiplying that monthly rate by the number of full months left.
- Full Annual Fee (2025): £174.50
- Monthly Rate: £174.50 / 12 ≈ £14.54
- Example: If you have 6 full months left, your refund would be 6 x £14.54 = £87.24 (approx).
The only way to receive the full £174.50 back is if you apply for a cancellation and refund within the first 14 days of the licence's start date, provided you have not used the licence, or if you have made a duplicate payment. If you have used the licence for even one month, the refund will be a partial amount.
How to Apply for Your TV Licence Refund
The process for claiming your refund is straightforward and can be completed online or over the phone. You will need your TV Licence number, the date from which you no longer needed the licence, and your reason for cancellation.
Online Application:
The quickest way is to use the official TV Licensing website's refund request form. You will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility before proceeding with the application. Ensure you have the exact date you stopped needing the licence.
Applying by Phone:
You can also call the TV Licensing team directly to discuss your situation and apply for a refund. This is often better for complex cases, such as the death of a licence holder or specific concession queries.
Important Time Limits:
You can apply for a refund up to 14 days before you no longer need the licence. If the licence has already expired, you have up to 90 days from the expiry date to apply for a refund for the period leading up to the expiry. Do not delay your application, especially if you are leaving the country.
Final Thoughts on TV Licence Refund Eligibility
The £174.50 TV Licence fee is a significant annual expense, and while the headlines about a "full refund" are attention-grabbing, the reality is that most people will be eligible for a substantial partial refund based on the number of full, unused months remaining. By understanding the core ‘one complete month’ rule and ensuring your circumstances align with one of the valid reasons for cancellation—such as moving abroad or ceasing to use live TV and BBC iPlayer—you can successfully navigate the process. Always check the official TV Licensing guidance before cancelling to ensure you remain compliant with the law and avoid any potential fines for unlicensed viewing.
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