5 Key Ways To Claim A Full Or Partial TV Licence £174.50 Refund In 2025
The question of how to claim a TV Licence refund, especially the full £174.50 amount, is one of the most searched queries for UK households right now. As of the current date, December 19, 2025, the standard colour TV Licence fee is £174.50, following the most recent increase that took effect from April 1, 2025. This full amount is the maximum refund you can receive, though most successful claims result in a partial refund based on the number of unused months remaining on the licence.
Understanding the precise rules for a refund is crucial, as eligibility is strictly tied to your viewing habits and living circumstances, not merely a change of mind. A refund is typically granted when you no longer need the licence for a significant period before its expiry date, which must be at least one complete calendar month. This guide breaks down the five primary scenarios that make you eligible for a claim, explains the exact refund calculation, and provides a clear, step-by-step process to get your money back.
Understanding the £174.50 Fee and Full Refund Eligibility
The figure of £174.50 is the annual cost for a standard colour TV Licence. Since the licence is a legal requirement for anyone watching or recording live television, or downloading or watching BBC programmes on iPlayer, any refund is intrinsically linked to proving you no longer meet this requirement. The full £174.50 refund is technically possible, but only under very specific circumstances.
The 'Full' £174.50 Refund Scenario
A full refund of £174.50 would only be paid if you have paid the annual fee and then, shortly after, your circumstances change, leaving virtually the entire year unused. TV Licensing calculates refunds based on "unused full calendar months." To receive the full £174.50, you would need to have 11 or 12 full unused months remaining on your licence. This typically happens if you:
- Purchased a new licence but moved abroad permanently within the first 30 days.
- Paid for a renewal but immediately moved into a care home where a licence is covered by the institution.
- Paid for a licence but realised within the first month that you only use streaming-only services like Netflix or Amazon Prime, and do not watch or record live TV or use iPlayer.
5 Primary Reasons You Can Claim a TV Licence Refund
While the full amount is rare, a significant partial refund is very common. Eligibility hinges on a change in circumstances that means you will not need the licence again before it expires. You must have at least one complete unused month left on the licence to qualify for any refund.
- Moving Abroad Permanently: If you are leaving the UK for good and will no longer reside at the licensed address, you are eligible to claim a refund for all remaining unused months.
- Switching to Streaming-Only Services: This is a growing reason for cancellation. If you decide to stop watching or recording live TV on any channel or device (including services like Sky, Virgin, or Freeview), and you stop using BBC iPlayer, you no longer require a licence and can claim a refund.
- Moving to a Care Home or Licensed Property: If you move into a residential care home, hospital, or another property that is already covered by a single, central TV Licence, you can claim a refund on your personal licence.
- Applying for an Over-75 Concession: If you or someone in your household turns 75 and receives Pension Credit, you are eligible for a free TV Licence. You can claim a refund for any remaining months on your existing licence that fall after your 75th birthday.
- The Licence Holder's Death: If the licence holder has passed away, a family member or executor can apply for a full refund for the remaining period of the licence.
How to Calculate Your Partial Refund Amount
The refund mechanism is straightforward but strict: it is calculated in full calendar months. You must have at least one complete month left on your licence that you won't need. If your licence costs £174.50, the calculation is as follows:
The Refund Formula
The annual fee is divided by 12 to find the monthly cost, and then multiplied by the number of unused full months remaining.
- Annual Fee: £174.50
- Monthly Value: £174.50 / 12 = £14.54 (approx.)
- Example: If you paid for a licence on May 1st and your circumstances changed on October 5th, you have used 5 full months (May, June, July, August, September). You have 7 full unused months remaining (November through April).
- Refund Calculation: 7 (unused months) x £14.54 = £101.78.
- The partial month of October is not counted, as only full calendar months are eligible for the refund.
This simple formula ensures fairness and is the standard practice used by TV Licensing to process millions of claims. Always check the exact start and end dates of your licence to determine the number of full unused months.
The Step-by-Step TV Licence Refund Process
Claiming your refund is a simple process that can be completed online or over the phone. Using the official TV Licensing website is generally the fastest and most efficient method.
1. Check Your Eligibility and Date of Change
Before starting, confirm that you meet one of the eligibility criteria listed above and know the exact date from which you stopped needing the licence (the 'Date of Change'). This date is crucial as it determines the number of unused full months you are entitled to.
2. Complete the Online Refund Form
Visit the official TV Licensing website and navigate to the 'Request a Refund' section. You will need to provide your:
- TV Licence number.
- Name and address.
- The reason for the cancellation (e.g., moving abroad, no longer watching live TV).
- The 'Date of Change'.
Alternatively, you can call the TV Licensing telephone number (0300 790 6071) to apply by phone, though the online form is the recommended method for speed.
3. Provide Payment Details
TV Licensing offers two main ways to receive your money: direct transfer to your bank account or a cheque. Providing your bank details for a direct bank transfer is the quickest way to receive the funds.
4. Wait for Processing and Payment
Once your application is submitted, TV Licensing aims to process and issue refunds within 21 days. They will verify the information, calculate the exact amount due (based on the full unused months), and send the payment. If you have provided an email address, you will usually receive a confirmation of your application and the final refund amount.
Topical Authority: LSI Keywords and Related Entities
To ensure you have a complete understanding of the TV Licence refund landscape, here are additional entities and terms related to the process:
- Black and White Licence: This licence also has a refund policy, with a current annual fee of £58.50.
- Short-Term Licence: If you bought a short-term licence (available in some circumstances), the refund rules still apply, but the calculation will be based on the short-term fee.
- The Declaration: When applying for a refund due to not watching live TV, you must sign a legal declaration confirming this change in viewing habits. False declarations can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
- Pension Credit: This DWP benefit is the key requirement for qualifying for the free over-75 licence, which triggers the refund for the remaining months on the old licence.
- TV Licensing Enforcement: Even after a refund, the property may be subject to monitoring to ensure compliance with the law, especially if the reason for the refund was a switch to streaming-only.
In summary, while the full £174.50 refund is the maximum you can claim, the vast majority of successful applications result in a partial refund based on the number of full, unused calendar months remaining on your licence. By confirming your eligibility and following the online process, you can quickly recover the money you are due.
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