Almost everyone in Ireland who owns a television in their home is required by law to have a TV licence.
Failure to pay your licence fee, which costs €160 each year, can land you a fine of up to €1,000.
There is a way to save on having to splash out on the cost. If you meet five conditions then you may be able to skip out of paying for a licence.
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If you are 70 or older, you can apply for a free TV licence as part of your Household Benefits Package (HBP).
There are other ways for people under the age of 70 to be considered eligible for the package.
To get the Household Benefits Package, you must:
- Be living in Ireland (full-time, all year round)
- Be the only person in your household getting the HBP
- Have the electricity or gas bill in your name if you apply for an Electricity or Gas Allowance, however, in certain circumstances, this may not apply.
- Be aged 70 or over
- Be aged under 70 and meet the additional rules for ‘People aged under 70’
If you are accepted, you will no longer need to pay for it, starting from the date you are required to renew your licence after your existing one expires.
To be included in this group, you will need to select the TV licence option on the form for HBP.
If you are successful, you will be removed from the list of households required to pay, as the Department of Social Protection issues it for you and informs An Post that you are entitled to a free licence.
If you are between 66 years old and 70 and are receiving one of the following payments, you may also qualify for HBP:
- State Pension (Contributory)
- State Pension (Non-Contributory)
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
- Deserted Wife's Benefit
- Carer's Allowance (full or half-rate payment), but you must live with the person you care for.
- You are caring for and living with a person who is getting a Constant Attendance Allowance
- An ordinary Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice and Equality
- An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
Those under the age of 66, who are receiving the following social welfare payments, can also apply for HBP:
- Disability Allowance
- Invalidity Pension
- Blind Pension
- Incapacity Supplement (for at least 12 months) with Disablement Pension (for at least 12 months)
- If you are caring for and living with a person who is getting a Constant Attendance Allowance.
- Carer's Allowance (full or half-rate payment), but you must live with the person you care for.
- An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
You can find out more about TV licences here.
