TV Licence Payment Options 2026
Four ways to pay. All work out to roughly £180/year, except quarterly which costs slightly more due to a surcharge.
| Method | Amount | Frequency | Annual Total | Surcharge? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual lump sum | £180.00 | One payment | £180.00 | None |
| Monthly Direct Debit | £15.00 | Every month | £180.00 | None |
| Quarterly Direct Debit | £46.25 | Every 3 months | £185.00 incl. £5.00 | £1.25/qtr |
| Weekly savings card | £3.46 | Every week | £179.92 | None |
Monthly Direct Debit
£15.00/month
The most popular payment method. No surcharge. Set up online or by phone. Payments come out on the 1st of each month (or you can choose another date).
First-year catch
New DD customers pay a higher amount in the first 6 months (roughly £30/month) because your licence starts immediately but you need to "catch up" on payments. After the first year, it drops to £15/month.
Quarterly Direct Debit
£46.25/quarter
Four payments per year. Includes a £1.25 surcharge per quarter (£5.00/year total). This makes quarterly the most expensive way to pay for a TV licence.
Total annual cost: £180 + £5.00 surcharge = £185.00
Annual Lump Sum
£180.00/year
Pay once and forget about it for 12 months. No surcharge. Payment by debit card, credit card, or Direct Debit. The simplest option if you can afford the upfront cost.
Weekly Savings Card
£3.46/week
For people without bank accounts or who prefer cash payments. Load money onto a TV Licensing payment card at any PayPoint outlet (newsagents, corner shops). No surcharge.
Which is best?
Monthly DD at £15/month is the best option for most people. No surcharge, easy to budget, and automatically renewed. The only reason to choose quarterly is if you prefer fewer, larger payments, but you will pay £5 more per year for the privilege. Annual lump sum is best if you want to avoid monthly commitments.