As of April 2025, the TV Licence fee in the UK has increased to £174.50 per year. This licence is mandatory for households and businesses that watch or record live TV broadcasts, including streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and BBC iPlayer.
Typically, only one TV Licence is needed per household. However, the rules change for owners of second homes, caravans, or similar properties. In some situations, a separate TV Licence must be purchased for these additional addresses, potentially doubling the cost to £349 annually.
This extra licence is required if you watch live TV, stream shows live, or access BBC iPlayer at your second property. The regulations apply to any device connected to an aerial or mains power in houses, flats, bungalows, or cottages. The only exception is if devices at the second property operate solely on internal batteries and have no external connection. In that case, your main home’s TV Licence covers viewing on those devices.
For touring caravans, static caravans, boats, mobile homes, or moveable chalets, the rules differ slightly. Your main TV Licence covers you unless someone is watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer at both your main and secondary locations simultaneously. If that happens, you must fill out a declaration form available in English and Welsh.
Failure to correctly licence your viewing can lead to prosecution, with a maximum fine of £1,000 plus legal costs and compensation. The standard TV Licence now costs £174.50 annually, while a black-and-white TV Licence is £58.50.
The Government confirmed a 2.9% increase in the licence fee starting April 1, 2025, aligning with CPI inflation. This is only the second fee rise since 2021 and will continue to rise annually with inflation until 2027.
To summarize, if you have a second home or similar property where live TV or BBC iPlayer is used concurrently with your main home, you likely need to pay for a second TV Licence at the full rate, £174.50.