View source for Television licence

{{Short description|Payment for receiving audiovisual broadcasts}}
{{About|a licence paid by television or radio users|a license to broadcast as part of [[spectrum management]]|broadcast license}}
{{Redirect|TV tax|the proposed funding mechanism for local Canadian TV stations described by opponents as a "TV tax"|Fee-for-carriage}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Taxation}}

A '''television licence''' or '''broadcast receiving licence''' is a payment required in many countries for the reception of [[Television broadcasting|television broadcasts]] or the possession of a [[television set]]. In some countries, a licence is also required to own a radio or receive [[Radio broadcasting|radio broadcasts]]. In such countries, some broadcasts are funded in full or in part by the licence fees. Licence fees are effectively a [[hypothecated tax]] to fund [[public broadcasting]].

==History==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2023}}
Radio broadcasters in the early 20th century needed to raise funds for their services. In some countries, this was achieved via advertising, while others adopted a compulsory subscription model with households that owned a radio set being required to purchase a licence. The United Kingdom was the first country to adopt compulsory public subscription with a licence, originally known as a '''wireless licence''', used to fund the [[BBC]]. In most countries that introduced radio licensing, possession of a licence was simply an indication of having paid the fee.

With the arrival of television, some countries created separate television licences. Other countries increased radio licence fees to cover the additional cost of television broadcasting, changing the name from "radio licence" to "TV licence" or "receiver licence". Today, most countries fund public radio broadcasting from the same licence fee that is used for television, although a few still have separate radio licences. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Japan, have lower fees for households that only own monochrome television sets. In many countries, elderly and disabled [[consumer]]s have a reduced or zero licence fee.

Faced with licence fee evasion, some countries chose to fund public broadcasters directly from taxation or via methods such as a co-payment with electricity billing. In some countries, national public broadcasters carry advertising.

In 1989, the [[Council of Europe]] created the European Convention on Transfrontier Television.  Among other things, this regulates advertising.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}} The treaty came into force in 1993 when it had been ratified by seven countries, including five [[EU member states]]. {{As of|2010}}, 34 countries have acceded to the treaty.<ref name="ectt-cets-132">{{cite web
| url = http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/Commun/QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=132&CM=1&CL=ENG
| title = European Convention on Transfrontier Television – CETS No.: 132
| publisher = [[Council of Europe]]
| date = 5 May 1989
| access-date = 14 June 2010
| archive-date = 14 October 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111014042435/http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=132&CM=1&CL=ENG
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

==Television licensing by country==

Usage and costs of television licences vary greatly between countries. The [[Museum of Broadcast Communications]] in Chicago<ref name="Encyclopedia of Television">{{cite encyclopedia
| title = License Fee
| encyclopedia = Encyclopedia of Television (1st Edition)
| publisher = [[Museum of Broadcast Communications]]
| location = Chicago
| year = 1997
| url = http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/L/htmlL/licensefee/licensefee.htm
| access-date = 21 November 2006
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130904131244/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/L/htmlL/licensefee/licensefee.htm
| archive-date = 4 September 2013
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> reports that two-thirds of countries in Europe and half of countries in Asia and Africa use television licences to fund [[public television]]. Television licensing is rare in the Americas, largely confined to [[British Overseas Territories]]. In some countries, radio channels and broadcasters' websites are also funded by a licence, giving access to radio and online services free of advertising.

==Television licences in Europe==
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left"
|+
|- 
! Country
! TV licence required?
! class="unsortable" |Price per month and notes
|-
| {{flag|Albania}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| 100 [[Albanian lek|Lek]] (€ 1,05)<ref>{{cite web |title=Law no. 97/2013 on the Audiovisual Media in the Republic of Albania |url=https://ama.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Law-no.-97-2013-on-the-Audiovisual-Media-in-the-Republic-of-Albania.pdf |format=PDF |website=ama.gov.al |publisher=Audiovisual Media Authority |date=4 March 2013 |language=en |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Austria}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| €15.30–€20<ref>{{cite web |title=TV and Radio |url=https://www.workinaustria.com/en/your-personal-guide/relocation/tv-und-radio/ |website=Work in Austria |publisher=Austrian Business Agency |language=en |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref> regardless of actual TV ownership
|-
| {{flag|Belarus}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Belgium}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2001 (Brussels and Flanders) and in 2018 (in Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web |author=Service Public de Wallonie |title=Redevance télévision |url=https://finances.wallonie.be/accueil-entreprises/fiscalite/autres-taxes-et-redevance/redevance-television.html |website=Portail du SPW Finances |language=fr |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| KM 7.50 (€{{To EUR|7.5|BIH|year=}})<ref>{{cite web |title=BHRT pressured by debts faces hard times |url=https://china-cee.eu/2022/04/25/bosnia-herzegovina-political-briefing-bhrt-pressured-by-debts-faces-hard-times/ |website=China-CEE Institute |date=25 April 2022 |language=en |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Bulgaria}}
|{{No|no}}
| Fee in law, never implemented<ref>{{cite web |last=Indzhov |first=Ivo |date=7 January 2020 |title=Bulgarian public service media under threat |url=https://en.ejo.ch/media-politics/press-freedom/bulgarian-public-service-media-under-threat |website=European Journalism Observatory |language=en |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Croatia}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| €10.62<ref>{{cite web |title=Television fees in Croatia |url=https://www.croreal.com/blog/en/television-fees-in-croatia |website=CroReal |date=2023 |language=en |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Cyprus}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Czech Republic}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| 150 Kč (€ 6,17)<ref name="Act No. 348/2005">{{cite web |title=Act No. 348/2005 Coll., on Radio and Television Fees |url=https://www.e-sbirka.cz/sb/2005/348#par_6-odst_1 |website=e-Sbírka |publisher=Government of the Czech Republic |date=13 September 2005 |language=cs |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Denmark}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2022<ref name="Digst-Denmark">{{cite web |title=The abolition of the media licence contributes to digital-ready legislation |url=https://en.digst.dk/digital-transformation/digital-ready-legislation/guidances-and-tools/examples-of-digital-ready-legislation/example-6/ |website=digst.dk |publisher=[[Agency for Digital Government (Denmark)|Agency for Digital Government]] |language=en |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Estonia}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Finland}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| Up to €13.33 (€160 per year)<ref name="YleFinances">{{cite web |title=Yle's finances |url=https://yle.fi/aihe/about-yle/finances |website=yle.fi |publisher=Yleisradio |date=2024 |language=en |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref> regardless of actual TV ownership
|-
| {{flag|France}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2022<ref name="walesonline.co.uk">{{cite news |last=Rudge |first=Sian |title=France's TV licence scrapped to help with cost of living crisis |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/france-axes-tv-licence-fee-24666231 |work=WalesOnline |date=4 August 2022 |language=en |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Georgia}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Germany}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| €18.36<ref name="Rundfunkbeitrag-En">{{cite web |title=Information for international students and guests |url=https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/welcome/english |website=rundfunkbeitrag.de |publisher=ARD, ZDF und Deutschlandradio |language=en |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref> regardless of actual TV ownership.
|-
| {{flag|Greece}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| €3 <ref>{{cite web |title=ERT (Greek Radio and Television) fee (Law 4324/29.04.15) |url=https://www.dei.gr/en/oikiakoi-pelates/xrisimes-plirofories-gia-to-logariasmo-sas/logariasmos-kai-xrewseis/ti-aforoun-oi-xrewseis-uper-tritwn-efk-eidtelos-5/elliniki-radiofwnia-tileorasi-anwnumi-etaireia-ert |work=[[Public Power Corporation]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518144726/https://www.dei.gr/en/oikiakoi-pelates/xrisimes-plirofories-gia-to-logariasmo-sas/logariasmos-kai-xrewseis/ti-aforoun-oi-xrewseis-uper-tritwn-efk-eidtelos-5/elliniki-radiofwnia-tileorasi-anwnumi-etaireia-ert |archive-date=18 May 2021 |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Hungary}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2002<ref>{{cite web |title=Újra eltörlik az üzembentartási díjat |url=http://www.nepszava.hu/articles/article.php?id=324817 |work=NÉPSZAVA online |language=hu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017214320/http://nepszava.hu/articles/article.php?id=324817 |archive-date=17 October 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Iceland}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2007<ref>{{cite web |title=About licensing fees in Iceland |url=http://ruv.is/um-ruv/afnotadeild |website=Ruv.is |language=is |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009190121/http://ruv.is/um-ruv/afnotadeild |archive-date=9 October 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Ireland}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| €13.33 (€160 per year)<ref>{{cite web |title=TV licences |url=https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/phone_internet_tv_and_postal_services/tv_licences.html |website=Citizens Information |date=2 March 2023 |language=en |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Italy}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| €7.50 (€90 per year)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.informazionefiscale.it/esenzione-canone-Rai-2024-chi-non-paga-domanda-scadenza-esonero|title=Esenzione canone Rai 2024|date=19 June 2024|website=informazionefiscale.it}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Latvia}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Liechtenstein}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 1999<ref>{{Cite web |last=IDT Internet Directories Trust reg. |title=Welcome.li - Branchenbuch für Liechtenstein |url=http://www.welcome.li/artikel-202.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815024548/http://www.welcome.li/artikel-202.html |archive-date=2018-08-15 |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=www.welcome.li |language=de}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Lithuania}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Luxembourg}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Malta}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2012<ref>{{Cite web |title=Television in Malta - Malta |url=http://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/malta/housing/setting-up-home/television |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Angloinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Monaco}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Montenegro}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2008<ref>{{Cite web |title=Between financial stability and political dependence: Rethinking the funding model for the PSB in Montenegro {{!}} Analitika |url=https://www.analitika.ba/publications/between-financial-stability-and-political-dependence-rethinking-funding-model-psb |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=www.analitika.ba |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Netherlands}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Article |url=https://merlin.obs.coe.int/article/1513 |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=merlin.obs.coe.int}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|North Macedonia}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Broadcasting Service Macedonian Radio Television (PBS MRT) – State Media Monitor |url=https://statemediamonitor.com/2025/09/macedonian-radio-television-mrt/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=statemediamonitor.com}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Norway}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2020 <ref>{{Cite web |last=Nikel |first=David |date=2019-03-29 |title=Say Hello to Norway's New TV Tax |url=https://www.lifeinnorway.net/nrk-tax/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Life in Norway |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Poland}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| PLN 294.50 (€69.50) in 2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subscription fees applicable in 2026 - The National Broadcasting Council - Portal Gov.pl |url=https://www.gov.pl/web/krrit-en/subscription-fees-applicable-in-2025 |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=The National Broadcasting Council |language=pl-PL}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Portugal}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
|€3.02<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-22 |title=Contribuição Audiovisual - Saiba porque paga esta taxa {{!}} Comparamais.pt |url=https://www.comparamais.pt/luz-e-gas/taxas-e-impostos/contribuicao-audiovisual/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=www.comparamais.pt |language=pt-PT}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Romania}}
|{{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2017<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ršumović |first=Nevena |date=2016-11-03 |title=Romanian Parliament Eliminated Public Broadcast Fee |url=https://seenpm.org/romanian-parliament-eliminated-public-broadcast-fee/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=SEENPM |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Russia}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Serbia}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| din. 349 (€{{To EUR|349|SRB|year=}})<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=The subscription for RTS and RTV will increase to 349 dinars |url=https://vreme.com/en/drustvo/pretplata-za-rts-i-rtv-poskupljuje-na-349-dinara/}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Slovakia}}
|{{no|no}}
| Abolished in 2023<ref name="tvnoviny.sk">{{Cite web|url=https://tvnoviny.sk/ekonomika/clanok/645486-za-rtvs-uz-nebudete-platit-ani-cent-koncesionarske-poplatky-sa-definitivne-rusia|title=Za RTVS už nebudete platiť ani cent. Koncesionárske poplatky sa definitívne rušia|website=tvnoviny.sk|date=22 February 2023 }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Slovenia}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| €14.02<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lock |first=Harry |date=2024-09-17 |title=RTV SLO President calls for greater reform |url=https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/rtv-slo-president-calls-for-greater-reform/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Public Media Alliance |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Spain}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Sweden}}
| {{No|no}}
| Abolished in 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotjanst.se/en/Radio-and-TV-fee/the-radio-and-tv-fee-is-being-replaced/|title=The radio and TV fee is being replaced|website=Radiotjänst|access-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116001235/https://www.radiotjanst.se/en/Radio-and-TV-fee/the-radio-and-tv-fee-is-being-replaced/|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Switzerland}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| 27.92 Fr (€{{To EUR|27.92|CHE|year=}}) (335 Fr per year)<ref>{{cite web |title=Fee Overview |url=https://www.serafe.ch/en/the-fee/fee-overview/ |website=SERAFE AG |access-date=27 June 2022}}</ref> regardless of actual TV ownership
|-
| {{flag|Turkey}}
| {{Yes|yes}}
| Electricity bill share abolished,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-09 |title=Government to abolish public TV share from electricity bills - Latest News |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/government-to-abolish-some-fees-from-electricity-bills-169245 |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Hürriyet Daily News |language=en}}</ref> product value-added share ongoing
|-
| {{flag|Ukraine}}
|{{No|no}}
|
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|{{Yes|yes}}
| colour: £14.54 (€{{To EUR|14.54|GBR|year=}}) (£174.50 per year)
black and white:  £4.88 (€{{To EUR|4.88|GBR|year=}}) (£58.50 per year)<ref>{{Cite web |title=TV Licence - GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/tv-licence |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=www.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>
|}

===Albania===
The Albanian licence fee is 100 [[Albanian lek|lekë]] per month, paid as part of the electricity bill.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.qbz.gov.al/botime/fletore_zyrtare/2014/PDF-2014/196-2014.pdf |title=Ligj Nr. 172/2014 për ratifikimin e marrëveshjes së huasë ndërmjet Shqipërisë dhe KfW (Vlore-Elbasan) |publisher=Fletore Zyrtare e Republikës së Shqipërisë |access-date=20 April 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501111613/http://www.qbz.gov.al/botime/fletore_zyrtare/2014/PDF-2014/196-2014.pdf |archive-date=1 May 2015 |url-status=dead |language=sq}}</ref> This makes up part of [[RTSH]]'s funding: 58 per cent comes directly from the government through taxes with the remainder from commercials and the licence fee.

===Austria===
Under [[Austria]]'s TV and Radio Licence Law (''Fernseh- und Hörfunklizenzrecht''), all operational broadcast reception equipment must be registered. Since 1998, the {{ill|Gebühren Info Service|de}} (GIS) has been responsible for licence administration. GIS was renamed ORF-Beitragsservice (OBS) in 2024. It is a fully owned subsidiary of the Austrian public broadcaster, ([[ORF (broadcaster)|ORF]]) and an agency of the [[Federal Ministry of Finance (Austria)|Federal Ministry of Finance]]. GIS aims to inform people about licensing, using a four-channel communication strategy consisting of:
* advertising campaigns in printed media, radio and television,
* direct mail,
* outlets such as post offices, banks, tobacconists and the five GIS Service Centres where people can register,
* field service customer consultants visiting households not yet registered.

In 2007 the total licensing income was €682 million, 66 per cent of which was allocated to the ORF. The remaining 34 per cent was allocated to the federal government and local governments to fund cultural activities. GIS employs 191 people and has approximately 125 freelancers in the field service. 3.4 million Austrian households are registered with the GIS with 2.5 per cent evading the licence.

The television & radio licence fee varies between [[States of Austria|states]]. As of 2022, [[Styria]] has the highest annual television licence cost, at €343.80, and [[Salzburg (state)|Salzburg]] and [[Burgenland]] have the highest annual radio licence cost, at €94.92. Annual fees from July 2022 are:<ref name="Übersicht">{{cite web|title=Übersicht|url=https://www.gis.at/gebuehren/uebersicht/|website=GIS|access-date=24 February 2018|language=de}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!State
!Television
!Radio
|-
|[[Burgenland]]
|€341.40
|€94.92
|-
|[[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]]
|€330.60
|€92.52
|-
|[[Lower Austria]]
|€339.00
|€93.72
|-
|[[Upper Austria]]
|€269.40
|€75.72
|-
|[[Salzburg (federal state)|Salzburg]]
|€325.80
|€94.92
|-
|[[Styria]]
|€343.80
|€94.92
|-
|[[Tyrol (federal state)|Tyrol]]
|€317.40
|€88.92
|-
|[[Vorarlberg]]
|€269.40
|€75.72
|-
|[[Vienna]]
|€339.00
|€94.20
|}

In 2024, the broadcasting fee was replaced by a household tax that every household pays, currently €15.30 per month. In the federal states of Burgenland, Carinthia, Styria and Tyrol, an additional state tax must be paid - this amounts to between €3.10 and €4.70 per month.<ref>[https://www.obs.at/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/ORF-Beitrag_Uebersicht.pdf ORF-Beitrag, ab 1.1.2024]</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!State
!Monthly ORF contribution
!Monthly State tax
!Total
|-
|[[Burgenland]]
|€15.30
|€4.60
|€19.90
|-
|[[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]]
|€15.30
|€4.60
|€19.90
|-
|[[Lower Austria]]
|€15.30
| - 
|€15.30
|-
|[[Upper Austria]]
|€15.30
| -
|€15.30
|-
|[[Salzburg (federal state)|Salzburg]]
|€15.30
| - 
|€15.30
|-
|[[Styria]]
|€15.30
|€4.70
|€20.00
|-
|[[Tyrol (federal state)|Tyrol]]
|€15.30
|€3.10
|€18.40
|-
|[[Vorarlberg]]
|€15.30
| - 
|€15.30
|-
|[[Vienna]]
|€15.30
| - 
|€15.30
|}

=== Bosnia and Herzegovina ===
The licence fee in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] is approximately €46 per year.<ref>{{cite book |last=Open Society Institute |author2=EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program |author3=Network Media Program |year=2005 |title=Television across Europe: regulation, policy and independence: Bosnia and Herzegovina |publisher=Open Society Institute (OSI) |isbn=978-1-891385-35-3 |url=http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/bosnia/media_bos1.pdf |pages=253–338 |access-date=20 April 2026 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008103029/http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/bosnia/media_bos1.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Bosnian War]] and associated collapse of infrastructure caused very high evasion rates. This has partly been resolved by collecting the licence fee as part of each household's monthly telephone bill. The licence fee is divided between three broadcasters:
* 50 per cent to [[BHRT]] (Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina), the main radio and television broadcaster in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] at national level, and Bosnia's only member of the [[European Broadcasting Union]].
* 25 per cent to [[RTVFBiH]] (Radio-Television of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina), a radio and television broadcaster that primarily serves the [[Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina]].
* 25 per cent to [[RTRS]] (Radio-Television of the Republika Srpska), a radio and television broadcaster which primarily serves the [[Republika Srpska]].

===Croatia===
The licence fee in [[Croatia]] is regulated by the Croatian Radiotelevision Act.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2010_12_137_3514.html |title=Zakon o Hrvatskoj radioteleviziji |author=Croatian Parliament |publisher=[[Narodne novine]] |date=15 December 2010 |access-date=20 April 2026 |language=hr}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Open Society Institute |author2=EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program |author3=Network Media Program |year=2005 |title=Television across Europe: regulation, policy and independence: Croatia |publisher=Open Society Institute (OSI) |isbn=978-1-891385-35-3 |url=http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/croatia/media_cro1.pdf |pages=425–481 |access-date=20 April 2026 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008103029/http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/croatia/media_cro1.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This legislation ensures compliance with European broadcasting standards and regulates advertising, limiting [[HRT (TV channel)|HRT]] to 9 per cent of airtime for commercials.

The fee is mandatory for all owners of broadcast receiving equipment and is legally set at 1.5 per cent of the average national salary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2010_12_137_3514.html |title=Zakon o Hrvatskoj radioteleviziji |author=Croatian Parliament |publisher=[[Narodne novine]] |date=15 December 2010 |access-date=20 April 2026 |language=hr}}</ref> It is the main source of revenue for the national broadcaster [[Croatian Radiotelevision|Hrvatska Radiotelevizija (HRT)]]. Within HRT, 66 per cent of the licence fee income goes to television and 34 per cent to radio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hrt.hr/uploads/media/Statut_HRT-a.doc |title=Statut Hrvatske Radiotelevizije |publisher=Croatian Radiotelevision |date=26 June 2008 |access-date=20 April 2026 |format=DOC |language=hr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709101256/http://www.hrt.hr/uploads/media/Statut_HRT-a.doc |archive-date=9 July 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Czech Republic===
The licence fee in the [[Czech Republic]] is 150 Kč per month for television and 55 Kč per month for radio, amounting to 2460 Kč per year.<ref name="Act No. 348/2005"/> Paid advertisements are not permitted on television except in narrowly defined circumstances during a transitional period. Each household that owns at least one television pays for one licence, regardless of how many televisions they own. Corporations and the self-employed must pay for a licence for each television and radio.

===Germany===
The licence fee in Germany is €18.36 per month (€220 per annum) for all apartments, secondary residences, holiday homes and summer houses. Since 2003 it has been payable regardless of possession or use of television and radio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/buergerinnen-und-buerger/rund-um-das-neue-modell.shtml|title=Der neue Rundfunkbeitrag – Bürgerinnen und Bürger: Rund um das neue Modell|publisher=rundfunkbeitrag.de|access-date=17 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317102029/http://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/buergerinnen-und-buerger/rund-um-das-neue-modell.shtml|archive-date=17 March 2013}}</ref> Businesses and institutions must pay, based on factors including numbers of employees, vehicles and, for hotels, beds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/unternehmen-und-institutionen/rund-um-das-neue-modell.shtml|title=Der neue Rundfunkbeitrag – Unternehmen und Institutionen: Rund um das neue Modell|publisher=rundfunkbeitrag.de|access-date=17 March 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317092949/http://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/unternehmen-und-institutionen/rund-um-das-neue-modell.shtml|archive-date=17 March 2013}}</ref> The fee is billed monthly but typically paid quarterly or yearly. It is collected by [[Beitragsservice von ARD, ZDF und Deutschlandradio]] which is sometimes criticised for its enforcement measures.<ref>{{cite news |last=Costello |first=Patrick |date=17 December 2016 |title=Germans risk fines and jail to protest public TV tax |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/12/17/germans-risk-fines-jail-protest-public-tv-tax/95338958/|work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=27 April 2018}}</ref> Since 2013, only recipients of certain social benefits such as [[Hartz IV|Arbeitslosengeld II]] or [[Student financial aid (Germany)|student loans and grants]] are exempt from the licence fee. People with certain disabilities can apply to pay a reduced fee of €5.83. Low income, in general, is no longer a reason for exemption.<ref>{{cite web |title=The licence fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) – For citizens |url=https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/e175/e5283/Informationsflyer_Buergerinnen_und_Buerger_Englisch.pdf |website=rundfunkbeitrag.de |access-date=27 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427184439/https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/e175/e5283/Informationsflyer_Buergerinnen_und_Buerger_Englisch.pdf |archive-date=27 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since the fee is billed to a person and not to a dwelling, empty dwellings are exempt.

[[File:ARD Karte.svg|190px|thumb|Nine members of ARD]]
The licence fee is used to fund the public broadcasters [[ZDF]] and [[Deutschlandradio]], as well as the nine regional broadcasters of the [[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]] network. Together, they run 22 television channels (10 regional, 10 national, 2 international: [[Arte]] and [[3sat]]) and 61 radio stations (58 regional, 3 national). Two national television stations and 32 regional radio stations carry limited advertising. The 14 regional regulatory authorities for private broadcasters are also funded by the licence fee, and in some states, non-profit community radio stations get small amounts of the licence fee. Germany's international broadcaster, [[Deutsche Welle]], is fully funded by the German federal government, though much of its new content is provided by the ARD.

Germany's per capita budget for public broadcasting is close to the European average but the total is one of the largest in the world. In 2006, annual income from licence fees was more than €7.9 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/e175/e5042/Jahresbericht_2016.pdf |title=Jahresbericht 2016 |trans-title=Annual Report 2016 |website=rundfunkbeitrag.de |language=de |access-date=27 April 2018 |archive-date=14 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214092527/https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/e175/e5042/Jahresbericht_2016.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The board of public broadcasters sued the German states for interference with their budgeting process, and on 11 September 2007, the Supreme Court decided in their favour. This effectively rendered the public broadcasters independent and self-governing.
Public broadcasters have announced that they are determined to use all available ways to reach their "customers" and as such have started a very broad Internet presence with media portals, news and TV programs. National broadcasters abandoned an earlier pledge to restrict their online activities. This resulted in newspapers taking court action against the ARD, claiming that its ''Tagessschau'' smartphone app was unfairly subsidised by the licence fee, to the detriment of free-market providers of news content apps. The case was dismissed with the court advising the two sides to find a compromise.

===Greece===
The licence fee in [[Greece]] is paid through electricity bills. It is charged to every electricity account, including private residences and businesses. There has been discussion of replacing it with a direct licence fee after complaints from people who do not own a television set. An often-quoted joke is that even the dead pay the licence fee, since graveyards have electricity bills.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awmn.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21302&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921003902/http://www.awmn.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21302&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight= |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 September 2007 |work=AWMN Forum |title=ΕΡΤ και ΔΕΗ. Πως μπορείτε να μην πληρώνετε αναγκαστικά. |trans-title=ERT and PPC. How can you not necessarily pay. |date=16 May 2006 |access-date=13 January 2011}}</ref>

Licensing income is paid to the state broadcaster, [[Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi]] (ERT). In June 2013, ERT was closed down to save money for the Greek government and licence fees were temporarily suspended.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dabilis|first=Andy|title=ERT To Close, Re-Open With Smaller Force|url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2013/06/11/ert-to-close-re-open-with-smaller-force/|access-date=11 June 2013|newspaper=Greek Reporter}}</ref> Later, [[NERIT]] licence fees were reduced to 3 euros per month, a reduction from €4.24 paid before the shutdown.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-01-01 |title=Μηνιαίο τέλος 3 ευρώ μέσω Δ.Ε.Η. για τη ΝΕΡΙΤ |url=https://www.taxheaven.gr/news/16783/mhniaio-telos-3-eyrw-mesw-deh-gia-th-nerit |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Taxheaven |language=el}}</ref>
In June 2015, ERT reopened and the licence fee resumed at a rate of €36 per year.

===Ireland===
{{Main|Television licensing in the Republic of Ireland}}

As of 2020, the cost of a television licence in Ireland is €160 per year.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/More+from+An+Post/TV+Licence/ |title=TV Licence |publisher=Anpost.ie |access-date=13 January 2011}}</ref> The licence applies to premises so a separate licence is required for holiday homes or motor vehicles which contain a television.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/consumer-affairs/media/tv_licences |title=Television Licences |publisher=Citizensinformation.ie |date=20 July 2010 |access-date=13 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510141122/http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/consumer-affairs/media/tv_licences |archive-date=10 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The licence must be paid for premises that have any equipment that can potentially decode TV signals, regardless of whether they view RTÉ's content. The licence is free to anyone over the age of 70, to some people over 66, to people on a disability allowance, and people who are blind (these licences are paid for by the state). The Irish post office, [[An Post]], is responsible for the collection of the licence fee and commencement of prosecution proceedings in cases of non-payment, but An Post has signalled its intention to withdraw from its licence fee business.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audgen.gov.ie/documents/vfmreports/47_TVLicence.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811023519/http://www.audgen.gov.ie/documents/vfmreports/47_TVLicence.pdf |archive-date=2007-08-11 |url-status=live |title=Comptroller and Auditor General |website=Audgen.gov.ie |access-date=13 January 2011}}</ref> The licence fee makes up 50 per cent of the revenue of [[RTÉ]], the national broadcaster with the rest coming from radio and television advertisements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/about/licence.html |title=About RTÉ |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=30 January 2007 |access-date=13 January 2011}}</ref> Some RTÉ services have not historically relied on the licence for income, such as [[RTÉ 2fm]], [[RTÉ Aertel]], [[RTÉ.ie]] but since 2012 RTÉ 2FM has had some financial support from the licence. The [[2RN (RTÉ Networks)|RTÉ Transmission Network]] operates on an entirely commercial basis.

Five per cent of the licence fee goes to the [[Broadcasting Authority of Ireland]]'s "Sound and Vision Scheme", which provides funds for programme production and restoration of archive material. From 2011 until 2018, five per cent of RTÉ's licence income was granted to [[TG4]]. RTÉ is now required to provide TG4 with programming. The remainder of TG4's funding is from direct state grants and commercial income.

===Italy===
{{Main|Television licensing in Italy}}

The licence fee in [[Italy]] is charged to each household with a television set, regardless of use,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abbonamenti.rai.it/Ordinari/Inglese.aspx|title=Information on subscription to the Italian Television|website=Abbonamenti.rai.it|access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref> and to all public premises with one or more televisions or radios. In 2016, the government reduced the licence fee to €100 per household and incorporated it into electricity bills in an attempt to eliminate evasion,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abbonamenti.rai.it/Speciali/Categorie.aspx|title=RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana – Abbonamenti|website=Abbonamenti.rai.it|access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abbonamenti.rai.it/Speciali/Inglese.aspx|title=Information on subscription to the Italian Television|website=Abbonamenti.rai.it|access-date=12 July 2015}}</ref> and as of 2018, the fee was €90.00.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fiscoetasse.com/canone-rai|title=Canone Rai in bolletta 2019|website=Fisco e Tasse}}</ref>

Sixty-six per cent of [[RAI]]'s income comes from the licence fee (up from about half of total income seven years ago), with another twenty-five per cent from advertising,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rai.it/dl/docs/Report_31_12_2014_check.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111135/http://www.rai.it/dl/docs/Report_31_12_2014_check.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=live|title=Reports and Financials as at 31 December 2014|website=Rai.it|access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref> which is aired pretty regularly every 20 minutes or so, with very few exceptions (football matches, special events, Eurovision Song Contest)

===Montenegro===
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2023}}
Under the Broadcasting Law of December 2002, each household and legal entity in [[Montenegro]] able to receive radio or television programmes is required to pay a broadcasting subscription fee. The monthly fee is €3.50, or €42.00 per annum. Funds are distributed, 
* 75 per cent to the republic's public broadcasting radio and television services,
* 10 per cent to support local public broadcasting services
* 10 per cent to support commercial broadcasting services,
* 5 per cent to support the Broadcasting Agency of Montenegro.
The Broadcasting Agency of Montenegro collected the fee through telephone bills, but after the privatization of [[Crnogorski Telekom|Telekom]], the new owners, T-com, announced they would not administer the fee after July 2007.

=== Poland ===
As of 2026, the licence fee in [[Poland]] for a television set is 30.50 [[Polish zloty|zł]] per month, or for radio only is 9.50 [[Polish zloty|zł]] per month. One licence is required per household, irrespective of the number of sets. The fee is waived for people over 75.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2025-10-19 |language=pl |publisher=Poczta Polska |title=Wysokość opłat abonamentowych w 2026 roku |url=https://rtv.poczta-polska.pl/?action=Wysokosc_oplat_2026}}<!-- auto-translated from German by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> Public health institutions, nurseries, educational institutions, hospices and retirement homes need only one licence per building or building complex they occupy. Commercial premises need a licence for each set, including radios and televisions in company vehicles.

Around 60 per cent of the fee goes to [[Telewizja Polska]] with the rest going to [[Polskie Radio]]. Advertisements are allowed between programmes on public television but it is not permitted to interrupt its programmes for advertisements.

The licence is collected and maintained by the Polish post office, [[Poczta Polska]]. There is a major problem with licence evasion in Poland: in 2012 around 65 per cent of households evaded the licence fee (compared to an average of 10 per cent in the [[European Union]]),<ref>{{cite episode
 |title        = Dateline Warsaw – Poland's public media funding crisis
 |url          = http://thenews.pl/1/6/Artykul/81643,Dateline-Warsaw-%E2%80%93-Polands-public-media-funding-crisis
 |series       = Dateline Warsaw
 |credits      = Presenters: Peter Gentle
 |network      = [[Polskie Radio]]
 |station      = [[Polish Radio External Service]]
 |location     = [[Warsaw]]
 |airdate      = 5 January 2012
 |access-date  = 8 January 2012
 |archive-date = 9 January 2012
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120109090512/http://www.thenews.pl/1/6/Artykul/81643,Dateline-Warsaw-%E2%80%93-Polands-public-media-funding-crisis
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref> and in 2020, only 8 per cent of Polish households paid the licence fee. Reasons for non-payment include the [[opt-in]] system in which there is no effective means to compel people to register or to prosecute those who fail to do so. Licensing inspectors, who are usually [[Mail carrier|postal workers]], do not have the right of entry to inspect premises and must get the owner's or occupier's permission to enter. Also, the public media are frequently accused of producing pro-government propaganda and not being independent public broadcasters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rsf.org/en/poland|title=Poland: Growing hate speech {{!}} Reporters without borders|website=Reporters without Borders|access-date=20 March 2020}}</ref> Due to widespread non-payment of the licence fee, in 2020 the government gave a 2&nbsp;billion złoty grant for public media.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://notesfrompoland.com/2020/02/15/polish-ruling-party-grants-more-funds-to-state-media-described-as-propaganda-mouthpieces/|title=Polish ruling party grants more funds to state media described as 'propaganda mouthpieces'|last=Tilles|first=Daniel|date=15 February 2020|website=Notes From Poland|access-date=20 March 2020}}</ref>

===Portugal===

From September 2003, the [[Rádio e Televisão de Portugal]] (RTP) was financed through government grants and the "Taxa de Contribuição Audiovisual" (Portuguese for ''Broadcasting Contribution Tax''), charged monthly through the electricity bills.<ref>{{cite web|author=Versão pdf |url=https://dre.pt/pesquisa/-/search/656106/details/maximized |title=Lei 30/2003, 2003-08-22 - DRE |publisher=Dre.pt |date=2003-08-22 |accessdate=2021-03-15}}</ref>
Following the [[2010–2014 Portuguese financial crisis]], government grants ended and RTP was financed only through the "Taxa de Contribuição Audiovisual" and advertising.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publico.pt/2019/02/19/politica/noticia/pcp-vai-propor-rtp-volte-receber-indemnizacao-anual-estado-1862561|title=PCP vai propor que a RTP volte a receber indemnização anual do Estado|date=19 February 2019 }}</ref> Since July 2016, the fee is €2.85 + [[European Union value added tax|VAT]] per month.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publico.pt/2019/12/16/politica/noticia/nao-rtp-tera-aumento-contribuicao-audiovisual-1897568|title = Ainda não é desta que a RTP terá aumento da contribuição para o audiovisual| date=16 December 2019 }}</ref>

[[RTP1]] can broadcast only 6 minutes of commercial advertising per hour (commercial channels can broadcast 12 minutes per hour). [[RTP2]] and the [[Rádio e Televisão de Portugal#Radio stations|public radios stations]] have no commercial advertising. [[RTP3]] and [[RTP Memória]] can broadcast commercial advertising on cable, satellite and IPTV platforms but not on digital terrestrial television.

===Serbia===
Licence fees in [[Serbia]] are bundled together with electricity bills and collected monthly. Current fee is 349 RSD (the newest price, as of August 2024),<ref>
{{cite web
| url         = https://www.rts.rs/rts/javni-servis/taksa/2159586/taksa-za-javni-medijski-servis-i-uslovi-oslobadjanja.html
| title       = Такса за јавни медијски сервис и услови ослобађања
| access-date  = 13 January 2025
| author      = RTS
| author-link  = Radio Television of Serbia
| language    = sr
}}
</ref> which is about €3.

===Slovenia===
Since June 2013, the annual licence fee in [[Slovenia]] is €12.75 per household per month to receive both television and radio services, or €3.77 per month for radio only, regardless of the number of devices capable of receiving television or radio broadcasts. Businesses and the self-employed pay this amount for each set and pay higher rates where they are intended for public viewing rather than private use by employees.<ref>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.rtvslo.si/strani/mesecna-visina-rtv-prispevka-v-skladu-z-21-clenom-zakona-o-spremembah-in-dopolnitvah-zakona-o-izvrsevanju-proracunov-republike-slovenije-za-leti-2008-in-2009-ur-l-rs-st-26-09/231
| title       = Mesečna višina RTV prispevka določena v Zakonu o spremembah in dopolnitvah zakona o izvrševanju proračunov Republike Slovenije za leti 2013 in 2014 (Ur.l. RS št. 46/2013)
| access-date  =28 August 2013
| author      = RTV Slovenija
| author-link  = Radiotelevizija Slovenija
| language    = sl
}}
</ref>

The licence fee is used to fund the national broadcaster [[RTV Slovenija]]. In 2007, the licence fee raised €78.1&nbsp;million, approximately 68 per cent of the broadcaster's operating revenue. RTV Slovenija's advertising income in 2007 was €21.6&nbsp;million.<ref>
{{cite web
| url         = http://www.rtvslo.si/files/letno_porocilo/rtvslo_ar_07_eng_web.pdf
| title       = Annual Report 2007
| access-date  =13 November 2008
| author      = RTV Slovenija
| author-link  = Radiotelevizija Slovenija
}}
</ref>

===Switzerland===
Any household that receives radio or television programs from the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] national public broadcaster [[SRG SSR]] must be registered and pay licence fees. The fee is [[Swiss franc|CHF]] 335 per year for TV and radio for single households, and CHF 670 for multiple households, e.g. [[nursing homes]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Fee Overview|url=https://www.serafe.ch/en/the-fee/fee-overview/|website=SERAFE AG|access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref> Households unable to receive broadcast transmissions are exempt from the fees until 2023 if residents apply to opt out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.serafe.ch/en/exemption-from-the-fee/households-with-no-means-of-receiving-radio-or-television/|title=Households with no means of receiving radio or television|website=serafe.ch|access-date=20 March 2020}}</ref> Residential licence fees are collected by Serafe AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of the insurance collections agency Secon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.serafe.ch/|title=Homepage|website=serafe.ch|access-date=20 March 2020}}</ref> Non-payment of licence fees incurs fines of up to CHF 100,000. For businesses, the fee is on a scale based on the company's annual turnover and is collected by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bakom.admin.ch/bakom/en/home/elektronische-medien/abgabe-fur-radio-und-fernsehen/unternehmen.html|title=Fee for businesses|last=OFCOM|first=Federal Office of Communications|website=bakom.admin.ch|access-date=20 March 2020}}</ref>
The majority of the fee, CHF 1.2&nbsp;billion, goes to SRG SSR, with the rest going to a collection of small regional radio and television broadcasters.

On 4 March 2018, there was [[Referendums in Switzerland|a referendum]] on whether TV licensing should be scrapped, with the slogan "No Billag", a reference to the previous collector of the licence fees.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.bk.admin.ch/ch/f/pore/vi/vis454.html|title=Initiative populaire fédérale 'Oui à la suppression des redevances radio et télévision (suppression des redevances Billag)'|last=ChF|first=Chancellerie fédérale|website=bk.admin.ch|language=fr|access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="nobillag.ch">{{cite web|url=https://nobillag.ch/fr/|title=OUI à la suppression des redevances Billag. – No billag|website=nobillag.ch|language=fr-FR|access-date=28 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116170826/https://nobillag.ch/fr/|archive-date=16 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Non à no Billag – votations">{{cite web|url=https://non-nobillag.ch/|title=Non à no Billag – votations|website=non-nobillag.ch|language=fr-FR|access-date=28 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711093848/https://non-nobillag.ch/|archive-date=11 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Parliament have advocated a no vote.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/public-broadcasting_parliament-rejects--no-billag--licence-fee-initiative/43548128|title=Parliament rejects 'No Billag' licence fee initiative|work=SWI swissinfo.ch|access-date=28 January 2018}}</ref> Voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal by 71.6 to 28.4 per cent and in all cantons.<ref name="thelocal.ch">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thelocal.ch/20180304/swiss-voters-poised-to-keep-media-license-fee|title=UPDATED: Swiss vote against plan to scrap compulsory TV licence fee|date=4 March 2018|access-date=7 March 2018}}</ref> Following the vote, the fee was significantly reduced.

===Turkey===
A licence fee of up to 16 per cent is paid to the state broadcaster [[Turkish Radio and Television Corporation|TRT]] by the producer or importer of the equipment that can receive TRT's broadcasts or on-demand content in any manner including internet. Consumers indirectly pay this fee when purchasing equipment. No registration is required for television receiving equipment, except for cellular phones as mandated by a separate law.

TRT also receives funding via advertisements. Previously a 2 per cent tax was added to monthly electricity bills but this has been abolished.

===United Kingdom===
{{Main|Television licensing in the United Kingdom}}

A television licence is required for each household where television programmes are watched or recorded as they are broadcast, irrespective of the signal method (terrestrial, satellite, cable or the Internet). As of September 2016, users of [[BBC iPlayer]] must also have a television licence to watch on-demand television content from the service.<ref name="guardian-iplayerlicence">{{cite web|title=How will the BBC detect people watching iPlayer without a licence?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/shortcuts/2016/aug/08/how-will-the-bbc-detect-people-watching-iplayer-without-a-licence|website=The Guardian|date=8 August 2016|access-date=16 May 2017}}</ref> As of 1 April 2017, after a price freeze that began in 2010, the cost of a licence may now increase to account for inflation. As of April 2026, the licence fee is £180 for a colour and £60.50 for a black and white television Licence<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/tv-licence-types-and-costs-top2|title=TV Licence types and costs – TV Licensing ™|website=tvlicensing.co.uk}}</ref> As it is classified in law as a tax, evasion of licence fees is a criminal offence.<ref name="Select Committee 20060303">{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldbbc/128/128i.pdf |title=Further Issues for BBC Charter Review |access-date=15 August 2008 |work=House of Lords Session Report |publisher=The Stationery Office Limited |date=3 March 2006 |archive-date=20 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320052437/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldbbc/128/128i.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> 204,018 people were prosecuted or fined in 2014 for TV licence offences: 173,044 in England, 12,536 in Wales, 4,905 people in Northern Ireland and 15 in the Isle of Man.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wigantoday.net/news/local/tv-licence-fines-branded-unfair-1-7386890|title=TV licence fines branded unfair|access-date=31 December 2015|date=31 July 2015|publisher=[[Wigan Evening Post]]|first1=Andrew|last1=Nowell|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930141548/http://www.wigantoday.net/news/local/tv-licence-fines-branded-unfair-1-7386890|archive-date=30 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="iomtoday.co.im">{{cite web|url=http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/record-number-prosecuted-for-tv-licence-evasion-1-7437885|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906182430/http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/record-number-prosecuted-for-tv-licence-evasion-1-7437885|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 September 2015|access-date=31 December 2015|title=Record number prosecuted for TV licence evasion|date=2 September 2015|first1=Adrian|last1=Darbyshire|publisher=[[Isle of Man Courier]]}}</ref>

The licence fee is used almost entirely to fund [[BBC]] domestic radio, television and internet services. Money received from the licence represents approximately 75 per cent of the cost of these services, with most of the remainder coming from the profits of [[BBC Studios]], a commercial arm of the corporation which distributes content outside of the United Kingdom, and operates or licences BBC-branded television services and brands.<ref>(2008) [http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/annualreport/pdf/bbc_ara_2008_exec.pdf ''BBC Annual Report''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127230024/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/annualreport/pdf/bbc_ara_2008_exec.pdf |date=27 January 2009}}, [[BBC]]. Retrieved 17 November 2008.</ref> The BBC also receives some funding from the [[Scottish Government]] via [[MG Alba]] to finance the [[BBC Alba]] Gaelic-language television service in Scotland. The BBC used to receive a direct government grant from the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] to fund television and radio services broadcast to other countries, such as the [[BBC World Service]] radio and [[BBC Arabic Television]]. These services run on a non-profit, non-commercial basis. The grant was abolished on 1 April 2014, leaving these services to be funded by the UK licence fee, a move which has caused some controversy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/consult/wsol/wsol_positioning.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808222043/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/consult/wsol/wsol_positioning.pdf |archive-date=2013-08-08 |url-status=live|title=BBC World Service: A licence fee-funded service|date=June 2013|website=Downloads.bbc.co.uk|access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmfaff/1045/104504.htm|title=House of Commons – The future of the BBC World Service – Foreign Affairs Committee|publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-date=21 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621014416/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmfaff/1045/104504.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Channel 4]] is also a public television service but it is funded through advertising.<ref name="Channel 4 FAQ">{{cite web |url=https://www.channel4.com/corporate/about-4/operating-responsibly/freedom-information/frequently-asked-questions |title=Channel 4 FAQ |publisher=Channel 4 Television Corporation |access-date=5 April 2020 |quote=Channel Four Television Corporation was set up by an Act of Parliament. It is a publicly owned not-for-profit corporation and does not have any shareholders.}}</ref> The Welsh language [[S4C]] is funded through a combination of a direct grant from the [[Department for Culture, Media and Sport]] and advertising, and receives some programming free of charge from the BBC. These other broadcasters are much smaller than the BBC.

In addition to public broadcasters, the United Kingdom has a wide range of commercial television funded by advertising and subscription. A television licence is still required of viewers who solely watch such commercial channels, although 74.9 per cent of the population watches [[BBC One]] in any given week, making it the most popular channel in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-viewing-summary?_s=4|title=Weekly viewing summary |website=Barb.co.uk|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> A similar licence existed for radio but was abolished in 1971.

==Television licences in Africa==
=== Ghana ===
The licence fee in [[Ghana]] was reintroduced in 2015, and is used to fund the [[Ghana Broadcasting Corporation]] (GBC). Households have to pay between GH¢36 and GH¢60 per year for using one or more televisions at home.<ref>{{Cite news| url = https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/gbc-to-re-introduce-payment-of-tv-licence-fee.html|location=Accra, Ghana| title = Graphic.com.gh: GBC to re-introduce payment of TV Licence fee|newspaper=[[Daily Graphic (Ghana)|Daily Graphic]]}}</ref>

=== Mauritius ===
The licence fee in [[Mauritius]] is [[Mauritian rupee|Rs]] 1,800 per year,<ref name="Glover2003">{{cite web |last=Glover |first=Victor |date=August 2003 |title=The Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation: A Report |publisher=Prime Minister's Office, Republic of Mauritius |url=http://www.gov.mu/portal/goc/pmo/file/mbc.doc |access-date=19 April 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903233839/http://www.gov.mu/portal/goc/pmo/file/mbc.doc |archive-date=3 September 2006 |url-status=dead |format=DOC}}</ref> collected as part of the electricity bill. The fee provides approximately 60 per cent of the income for the [[Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation]] (MBC), with most of the remaining funds coming from television and radio commercials.<ref>{{cite web |title=Corporate Information |url=http://mbc.intnet.mu/corporate_info.htm |publisher=Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=19 April 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010212408/http://mbc.intnet.mu/corporate_info.htm |archive-date=10 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The introduction of private broadcasting in 2002 has put pressure on MBC's commercial revenues, leading private stations to argue that MBC's dual funding affects their profitability.<ref name="Glover2003" />

=== Namibia ===
The licence fee in [[Namibia]] was [[Namibian dollar|N$]]204 (about €23) in 2001.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com.na/2001/021101/story12.htm|title=Have you paid your TV licence yet?|date=2 November 2001|access-date=21 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061006145039/http://www.economist.com.na/2001/021101/story12.htm|archive-date=6 October 2006|work=[[Namibia Economist]]}}</ref> The fee is used to fund the [[Namibian Broadcasting Corporation]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?archive_id=23815&page_type=archive_story_detail&page=1|title=The Future of the NBC|last=Tyson|first=Robin|date=2 June 2006|access-date=19 April 2014|work=[[The Namibian]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419030125/http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?archive_id=23815&page_type=archive_story_detail&page=1|archive-date=19 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== South Africa ===
The licence fee in South Africa is [[Rand (currency)|R]]265 (about €23) per annum (R312 per year if paid on a monthly basis) for television.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvlic.co.za/portal/site/tvlicence/menuitem.f5545350fe4a55f5e16a84b45401aeb9/|title=Pay Yours|publisher=Tvlic.co.za|access-date=13 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110025347/http://www.tvlic.co.za/portal/site/tvlicence/menuitem.f5545350fe4a55f5e16a84b45401aeb9|archive-date=10 January 2011}}</ref> A concessionary rate of R70 is available for those over 70, disabled persons and war veterans who are on social welfare. The licence fee partially funds the public broadcaster, the [[South African Broadcasting Corporation]] (SABC), providing R972&nbsp;million (almost €90 million) in 2008–9. SABC derives much of its income from advertising. Proposals to abolish licensing have circulated since October 2009. The national carrier hopes to receive funding entirely from state subsidies and commercials.

==Television licences in Asia==
=== Japan ===
In Japan, the annual licence fee ({{langx|ja|受信料}}, ''jushin-ryo'') for terrestrial television broadcasts is [[Japanese yen|¥]]14,205 (about €88.34), and ¥24,740 (about €153.85) for those receiving [[satellite]] broadcasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pid.nhk.or.jp/jushinryo/multilingual/english/|title=Receiving Fee System|publisher=Nhk.or.jp|access-date=22 December 2016}}</ref> The fee is slightly less if paid by [[direct debit]]. There is a separate licence for monochrome TV, and fees are slightly less in [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]].

The Japanese licence fee pays for the national broadcaster, [[NHK|Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai (NHK)]].
Every household in Japan with a television set is required to have a licence, but in 2006 non-payment was described as "epidemic" following a series of scandals involving NHK.<ref name="ryall">Julian Ryall, [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/japan-cracking-down-nhk-license-143223 "Japan Cracking Down On NHK Licence Fee Nonpayment"], ''The Hollywood Reporter'', 15 November 2006. Retrieved 22 December 2016.</ref> In 2005, it was reported that "there is no fine or any other form of sanction for non-payment".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110611204732/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article510291.ece "Respect! BBC the role model as NHK tries to beat scandal"], ''The Times'', 4 February 2005</ref> The [[NHK Party]], often called the Anti-NHK Party, was founded in 2013 as a [[Single-issue politics|single-issue political party]] to oppose the licence fee, with its only policy being to [[Television encryption|encrypt]] NHK's broadcast signal, meaning [[Conditional access|only those who watch NHK pay for it]].<ref name=":0a">{{Cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201907250055.html|title=After stunning election win, anti-NHK party sets higher goal|newspaper=The Asahi Shimbun|language=en|access-date=2019-07-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725162045/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201907250055.html|archive-date=2019-07-25}}</ref>

=== Pakistan ===
The television licence in [[Pakistan]] is [[Pakistani rupee|Rs]] 420 (about €1.45) per year, collected as a monthly charge on all electricity bills.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=12056|title=AsiaMedia:: PAKISTAN: PTV to earn Rs4bn through licence fee: New collection system|date=15 June 2004|publisher=Asiamedia.ucla.edu|access-date=13 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917234340/http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=12056|archive-date=17 September 2011}}</ref> The fee plus advertising revenue fund the [[Pakistan Television Corporation]] (PTV).

=== South Korea ===
In [[South Korea]], the television licence fee ({{langx|ko|수신료 징수제}}) is collected for the [[Korean Broadcasting System]] and the [[Educational Broadcasting System]]. The fee is [[South Korean won|₩]]30,000 per year<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kbs.co.kr/susin/license/license_02.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050414013740/http://www.kbs.co.kr/susin/license/license_02.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 April 2005|title=TV수신료와 수신서비스|publisher=Kbs.co.kr|access-date=13 January 2011}}</ref> (about €20.67), and is bundled with electricity bills. It has stood at this level since 1981, and now makes up less than 40 per cent of KBS's income and less than 8 per cent of EBS's income.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=5&key=1004121101|title=Kbs Global|publisher=English.kbs.co.kr|access-date=13 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629022346/http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=5&key=1004121101|archive-date=29 June 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its purpose is to maintain public broadcasting in South Korea, and give public broadcasters the resources to do their best to produce and broadcast public interest programs.

== Countries where the TV licence has been abolished ==
{{More citations needed|talk=y|date=December 2007}}
The following countries have had television licences, but subsequently abolished them:

===Australia===
[[File:Make sure you have a current broadcast listener's licence.jpg|thumb|right|1950s [[Postmaster-General's Department]] advertisement regarding broadcast licences]]
Radio licence fees were introduced in [[Australia]] in the 1920s to fund privately owned broadcasters, which were not permitted to sell advertising. With the formation of the government-owned [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|Australian Broadcasting Commission]] in 1932, licence fees were used to fund ABC broadcasts while privately owned stations were permitted to seek revenue from advertising and sponsorship. Television licence fees were introduced in 1956 when the ABC began television transmissions. In 1964 a television licence, issued on a [[punched card]], cost [[Australian pound|£]]6 (A$12); the fine for not having a licence was £100 (A$200).

All licence fees were abolished on 18 September 1974 by the [[Whitlam government]] on the grounds that the near-universality of television and radio use meant that public funding was fairer.<ref>1974–75 Budget speech by the Hon Frank Crean, APH Hansard, 17 September 1974, p1290, introduced through the ''Broadcasting and Television Act 1974'' (Cth)</ref> Since then, the ABC has been funded by government grants, now totalling around [[Australian dollar|A$]]1.13&nbsp;billion per year, plus its own commercial activities (merchandising, overseas sale of programmes, etc.).

===Belgium===
====Flemish region and Brussels====
The [[Flemish region]] of [[Belgium]] and [[Brussels]] abolished its television licence in 2001. The [[Flemish people|Flemish]] broadcaster [[Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep|VRT]] is now funded from general taxation.

==== Walloon region ====
From 1 January 2018, the licence fee in the [[Wallonia|Walloon region]] (encompassing the French and German-speaking communities) was abolished. Licences in effect at that time remained payable until their expiration but were not renewed thereafter.<ref name="Wallonie2018">{{cite web |title=Redevance TV : questions suite à sa suppression en 2018 |url=http://www.wallonie.be/fr/actualites/redevance-tv-questions-suite-sa-suppression-en-2018 |website=Portail de la Wallonie |access-date=20 April 2026 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224114019/http://www.wallonie.be/fr/actualites/redevance-tv-questions-suite-sa-suppression-en-2018 |archive-date=24 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Prior to its abolition, the fee in Wallonia was €100.00 for a television, while household radios were exempt. One licence was required per household, though each vehicle equipped with a radio required a separate car radio licence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Autoradio Television: Tout Savoir Sur la Redevance |url=http://www.wallonie.be/cmsmedia/fr/autoradio_television_tout_savoir_sur_la_redevance_pdf.pdf |publisher=Portail de la Wallonie |access-date=20 April 2026 |format=PDF |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509202223/http://www.wallonie.be/cmsmedia/fr/autoradio_television_tout_savoir_sur_la_redevance_pdf.pdf?uri=8a838083007a58500100bd7b7b5a0eee |archive-date=9 May 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Revenue was used to fund the region's French and German-language public broadcasters, [[RTBF]] and [[Belgischer Rundfunk|BRF]].

=== Bulgaria ===
A fee for use of television and radio was included the fee in the [[Bulgaria]]n Radio and Television Law passed in the 1990s. Following public criticism, the [[President of Bulgaria|president]] vetoed the law. The [[Bulgarian National Assembly]] retained the power to impose a fee but added a temporary measure funding [[Bulgarian National Television]] (BNT) and [[Bulgarian National Radio]] (BNR) directly from the national budget. This funding mechanism has been retained since then.

===Canada===
[[File:Special Private Receiving Station License 1948-49.jpg|thumb|right|From 1922 to 1953 individual members of the public were required to pay for annual Private Receiving Station licences to legally receive broadcasting stations.]]
The Radiotelegraph Act 1913 required anyone possessing a radio receiver to hold an "Amateur Experimental Station" licence,<ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015064554697&view=1up&seq=211 "Laws and Regulations—Canada"], ''The Year-Book of Wireless Telegraphy & Telephony'' (1914 edition), pages 131–132.</ref><ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c2605161&view=1up&seq=1508 "Regulations: 18. Amateur Experimental Licenses"],''The Canadian Gazette'', 27 June 1914, page 4546.</ref> and pass an "Amateur Experimental Certificate of Proficiency", demonstrating the ability to send and receive Morse code at five words per minute.<ref name="babel.hathitrust.org">[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c2605161&view=1up&seq=1512 "Regulations: 97. Amateur Experimental Certificate"],''The Canadian Gazette'', 27 June 1914, page 4550.</ref> In January 1922 the government introduced a Private Receiving Station licence for people who only intended to receive radio, rather than transmit.<ref>Mary Vipond, ''Listening In: The First Decade of Canadian Broadcasting 1922–1932'', McGill-Queen's University Press, 1992, pages 22–23.</ref><ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc1.cu06812988&view=1up&seq=1371 Radiotelegraph Regulations: License to Operate a Radio Receiving Equipment"], ''The Canada Gazette'', 23 September 1922, page 7.</ref> The receiving station licences initially cost $1 per year. Over time this increased to $2.50 to cover radio and television broadcasts by the [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)]]. The licence fee was abolished in 1953 and replaced with a 15% excise tax on television equipment (including sets, picture tubes, and parts) to fund the CBC.<ref name="eliminated">[http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/fin/F1-23-1-1953-eng.pdf#page=21 "Budget Speech Delivered by Hon. D. C. Abbott, Minister of Finance, in the House of Commons, Thursday, February 19, 1953"], page 21 (gc.ca)</ref> This excise tax was phased out in 1958, with the CBC's funding shifting primarily to parliamentary appropriations.

=== Cyprus ===
[[Cyprus]] had an indirect tax for [[CyBC]], its state-run public broadcasting service, paid through electricity bills dependent on home size. It was abolished in the late 1990s and CyBC is now funded by advertising and government grants.

===Denmark===
Until 2022 a [[Denmark|Danish]] media licence fee of 1353 [[Danish krone|kr]] (€182) per year was charged for any devices that could receive broadcast television.<ref>{{cite web|author=Published by Julia Stoll |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/545850/annual-tv-and-radio-licence-fees-in-denmark/ |title=• Denmark: TV and radio license fees 2010-2020 |publisher=Statista |date=2020-02-03 |accessdate=2021-03-15}}</ref><ref name="retsinformation.dk">{{cite web|url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/FormsR0710.aspx?id=152540 |title=Bekendtgørelse om licens |publisher=Retsinformation.dk |date=29 June 2013 |access-date=25 September 2013}}</ref> The majority of the licence fee funded the national radio and television broadcaster [[Danmarks Radio|DR]], with a smaller proportion funding [[TV 2 (Denmark)|TV 2's]] regional services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dr.dk/omdr/index.asp?aid=35 |title=Forside – dr.dk/OmDR |publisher=Dr.dk |access-date=13 January 2011}}</ref> The media licence was abolished in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2018/03/18/denmark-scraps-public-tv-licence-fee/|title=Denmark scraps public TV licence fee|date=18 March 2018|website=Broadband TV News}}</ref> Funding for DR is now provided through general taxation.<ref name="statista.com">"[https://www.statista.com/statistics/545850/annual-tv-and-radio-licence-fees-in-denmark/]." statista.com. Retrieved on 2 January 2023. "Annual TV and radio license fees in Denmark from 2010 to 2021."</ref> TV 2 is now funded through advertising revenue,<ref name="business.dk">{{cite web|url=http://www.business.dk/medier-reklame/saa-meget-af-din-licens-faar-staten |title=Så meget af din licens får staten – Medier & reklamer |publisher=Business.dk |access-date=13 January 2011}}</ref> and it receives indirect subsidies through favourable loans from the Danish state.

=== Finland ===
[[File:Televisiolupa 1961.jpg|thumb|Stamped in [[Loviisa]]. The price for half a year was 3,000 [[Finnish markka|Mk]] in 1960s.]]
The television fee in [[Finland]] was between €244.90 and €253.80 per year for each household with a television. It was the primary source of funding for [[Yleisradio]] (Yle). In 2013 it was replaced with the [[Yle tax|Yle public broadcasting tax]] ({{langx|fi|yleisradiovero}}, {{langx|sv|rundradioskatt}}), a progressive income tax up to €160 per person (2026).<ref name="End of the road for TV license fees">{{cite web |date=27 November 2012 |title=End of the road for TV license fees |url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/end_of_the_road_for_tv_license_fees/6392392 |access-date=12 July 2015 |work=Yle Uutiset}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-maksu.fi/en/index/tietoa/uutiset/2012/P_63.html|title=Tämä domain on varattu asiakkaallemme |website=Tv-maksu.fi|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-maksu.fi/en/index.html|title=Tämä domain on varattu asiakkaallemme |website=Tv-maksu.fi|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> People with low incomes and under the age of eighteen years are exempt from the tax.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vero.fi/en/About-us/information_and_material_on_taxatio/public_broadcasting_tax/ |title=Article in ''Finnish Public Broadcasting Tax for individual taxpayers'' |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706191205/https://www.vero.fi/en/About-us/information_and_material_on_taxatio/public_broadcasting_tax/ |archive-date=6 July 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Residents of [[Åland]] did not have to pay the tax until 2020, but have been paying a media tax since 2021, which is currently (2026) at 128 euros per year.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2021-05-06 |language=en |title=Public Broadcasting Tax and Åland Islands media fee |url=https://www.vero.fi/en/About-us/newsroom/visual_aids_for_presentations_and_for_t/public_broadcasting_tax/}}<!-- auto-translated from German by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

===France===
Until 2022 a broadcasting licence fee ({{Lang|fr|contribution à l'audiovisuel public}}) funded [[Radio France]] and [[France Télévisions]].<ref>{{cite web |author=DDM |url=http://www.ddm.gouv.fr/article.php3?id_article=796 |title=A quoi sert la redevance audiovisuelle ? |publisher=Ddm.gouv.fr |date=20 January 2005 |access-date=13 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031073940/http://www.ddm.gouv.fr/article.php3?id_article=796 |archive-date=31 October 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> People under the age of 21, under 25 and in full-time education, and those who had a household income below a certain threshold were exempt from the fee. The fee was abolished in 2022 and replaced with direct funding from the [[Trésor public|French Treasury]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-08 |title=Emmanuel Macron promises to scrap TV licence fee if re-elected |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/08/emmanuel-macron-promises-to-scrap-tv-licence-fee-if-re-elected |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref name="walesonline.co.uk"/>

===Gibraltar===
Until 2006 television licence fees provided funds to the [[Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation]] (GBC).<ref>[http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2006/CM_Speech.pdf Chief Minister's Budget Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007054329/http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/latest_news/press_releases/2006/CM_Speech.pdf |date=7 October 2006}}, Government of Gibraltar Information Services, 28 June 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2006.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://commonwealth.live.poptech.coop/Templates/YearbookInternal.asp?NodeID=140426|title=Commonwealth Secretariat – Gibraltar|website=Commonwealth.live.poptech.coop|access-date=26 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928010642/http://commonwealth.live.poptech.coop/Templates/YearbookInternal.asp?NodeID=140426|archive-date=28 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The licence fee was scrapped due to the low amount of fees.<ref name="for">{{cite news |title=£8 million luxury building for GBC: WHAT NEXT? |url=http://www.gibraltarpanorama.gi/164138 |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=Gibraltar Panorama |date=2 May 2019}}</ref> Even before the abolition of the licence fee, the majority of GBC's funding came as a grant from the government.

===Hungary===
In [[Hungary]], licence fees nominally exist, but since 2002 residential fees have been paid from the state budget.<ref>{{cite book |last=Open Society Institute |author2=EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program |author3=Network Media Program |year=2005 |title=Television across Europe: regulation, policy and independence: Hungary |publisher=Open Society Institute (OSI) |isbn=978-1-891385-35-3 |url=http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/hungary/media_hun1.pdf |pages=789–864 |access-date=20 April 2026 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901162426/http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/hungary/media_hun1.pdf |archive-date=1 September 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This means that funding for [[Magyar Televízió]] and [[Duna TV]] comes directly from taxation. Commercial venues such as hotels and bars also had their fees paid between 2002 and 2007, but since then they have required a payment per television set.

===Hong Kong===
Hong Kong previously had a radio and television licence fee for [[RTHK|Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK)]] and [[Rediffusion Television]], costing 36 [[Hong Kong dollar]]s per year. RTHK is now funded by the [[Hong Kong Government]].

===Iceland===
The television licence fee for [[Iceland]]'s state broadcaster [[RÚV]] was abolished in 2007 and replaced with a [[Tax per head|poll tax]] of 22,200 [[Icelandic króna|kr.]] from everyone who pays income tax, regardless of whether they use television and radio. The tax must be paid only by persons between the ages of 16 and 69.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ruv.is/um-ruv/afnotadeild |title=Afnotadeild &#124; RÚV |access-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005203314/http://ruv.is/um-ruv/afnotadeild |archive-date=5 October 2012}}</ref>

===India===
[[India]] introduced a radio receiver licence system in 1928 for [[All India Radio]] (AIR) Akashvani. Television licensing began in 1956–57. In 1976, public television was separated from AIR as a separate company, [[Doordarshan]]. In the 1970s and 1980s,  radio licences cost INR 15 per year and television licences cost INR 50. The wireless licence inspector from the post office was authorised to check every house and shop for a Wireless Licence Book, and to issue penalties or seize the receiving equipment for non-payment. In 1984, the licensing system was withdrawn. AIR and Doordarshan are both funded by the Government of India and by income from advertising.

===Indonesia===
A radio tax for [[Radio Republik Indonesia|RRI]] funding was introduced in 1947,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Home/Details/25253/uu-no-12-tahun-1947| title = Undang-undang (UU) No. 12 Tahun 1947 Menetapkan "Pajak Radio" atas Semua Pesawat Penerimaan Radio| website = [[Audit Board of Indonesia|Financial Audit Board of Indonesia]]| access-date = 27 June 2020}}</ref> during the [[Indonesian National Revolution]]. The television fee was introduced soon after [[TVRI]] started broadcasting in 1962. The radio tax was abolished in the 1980s.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} The television fee continued into the 1990s. Its abolition started after public protests about the company that collected the fee, which was run by the Indonesian President's son,<ref>Kitley, P. (2000). ''Television, Nation, and Culture in Indonesia''. [[Ohio University]] Center for International Studies.</ref> but areas such as [[Bandung]] and [[Surabaya]] continued to have a television fee throughout the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.kompasiana.com/djuliantosusantio/57ba4715b67a61190b16fe36/pajak-radio-dan-pajak-televisi-hilang-ditelan-modernisasi| title = Pajak Radio dan Pajak Televisi Hilang Ditelan Modernisasi| author = Djulianto Susantio| website = Kompasiana.com| date = 22 August 2016| access-date = 27 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Iuran TVRI - Iuran Penyiaran |url=http://www.tvrisby.com/iuran_tvri.html |website=Televisi Republik Indonesia Stasiun Surabaya |access-date=26 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011224065859/http://www.tvrisby.com/iuran_tvri.html |archive-date=24 December 2001}}</ref> A "broadcasting fee" ({{langx|id|iuran penyiaran}}) was included in legislation in 2002 but has not been implemented. Public radio and television are currently funded through a combination of advertising and funds from the state budget.

===Israel===
Licence fees were the primary source of revenue for the [[Israel Broadcasting Authority]] when it was the state broadcaster. Every household was charged [[Israeli new shekel|₪]] 345 (€73) for a television licence and car owners were charged [[Israeli new shekel|₪]] 136 (€29) for a radio licence. The television licence was abolished in 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/iba-workers-cry-foul-over-ban-on-expressing-political-opinions/|title=State broadcast journalists condemn ban on expressing political opinions|website=The Times of Israel|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> but a radio licence is still required of car owners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.il/he/Departments/Guides/vehicles_licences?chapterIndex=5|title=gov|website=gov.il}}</ref> Since the 1980s, the television programs of the Israeli Broadcasting Authority were sponsored by commercial entities, and the airing of [[Public service announcements]] in a pseudo-commercial format became widespread. Both of these practices, while forbidden by the BBC model of television licence, were also found in continental European public broadcasters, albeit in a smaller scope than under the IBA. Their use in Israel caused a widespread public sentiment that the licence fee failed in its goal of ensuring that public broadcasting is free of commercial interests.

The Israel Broadcasting Authority was replaced by the [[Israeli Broadcasting Corporation]] in May 2017. Its radio stations carry advertising and some of its television programmes are sponsored by commercial entities.

=== Liechtenstein ===
An annual licence was required between 1978 and 1998 for households with broadcast receiving equipment. The income was divided between [[Swisscom|PTT]] and the Swiss national broadcaster, [[Swiss Broadcasting Corporation|SRG]]. Since 1998, an annual government grant for public media is administrated by the Mediakommision.

The sole radio station in the principality, [[Radio Liechtenstein]], was founded as a private commercial music station in 1995. It was nationalised in 2004 under {{ill|Liechtensteinischer Rundfunk|de}} to create a domestic [[public broadcasting]] station. It is funded by commercials and the public broadcasting grant.

===Malaysia===
The annual television licence fee for television in 1990 was at RM 24,<ref name="scrap"/> previously RM 36 in 1986 and RM 12 in 1985,<ref name="fees">{{cite news |title=Colour TV fees up |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19850926-1.2.22.6 |access-date=17 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=26 September 1985}}</ref> while the radio licence fee in 1990 was at RM 12;<ref name="scrap"/> unchanged since the 1960s.<ref name="MAY"/> The licence fee for the former was also the lowest in the world as of 1989.<ref>{{cite news |title=KL to scrap radio licence fees |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19890227-1.2.22.6 |access-date=17 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=27 February 1989}}</ref> The licence fee for monochrome televisions in 1985 was at RM 24.<ref name="fees"/>

Licences for home-use radios were abolished by late 1985 with the amendments to the Telecommunications Act 1960,<ref>{{cite news |title=Home radios may not need licences by year-end |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19850910-1.2.19.3 |access-date=12 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=10 September 1985}}</ref> while radio licences were abolished on 1 January 1991, due to Malaysia's improved economic performance.<ref name="scrap">{{cite news |title=Govt to scrap radio licence next year |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19900817-1.2.31.1 |access-date=15 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=17 August 1990}}</ref>

46.5% of television owners did not pay for the television licence in 1995.<ref>{{cite news |title=REVENUE LOSS |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950611-1.2.28.3.3 |access-date=17 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=11 June 1995}}</ref>

In 1995, the government had planned to introduce pre-payment of television licence fees for people who have purchased a new television once every ten years, amounting RM 240 for each, replacing the annual payment which caused the government to lose millions of ringgit every year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ministry proposes prepayment of licence fee for new TV sets |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950808-1.2.33.8 |access-date=17 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=8 August 1995}}</ref>

The government planned to add a separate licence for cable and satellite television owners and an increase of television licence fee for such users in 1996;<ref>{{cite news |title=TV FEES MAY GO UP |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19960713-1.2.34.5.5 |access-date=17 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=13 July 1996}}</ref> it also had planned to increase the television licence fee to RM 36 in 1998.<ref name="MAY">{{cite news |title=TV LICENCE FEE MAY GO UP |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19980402-1.2.34.6.1 |access-date=17 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=2 April 1998}}</ref>

The television licence fees were abolished in April 1999; however people still paid for the fees. The government decided to refund the fees that amounted to RM 67 million,<ref>{{cite news |title=KL govt to refund RM67m in TV fees |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19991101-1.2.50.2 |access-date=17 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=1 November 1999}}</ref> becoming just RM 21 million in 2000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Govt to refund $9.2 million to TV licence holders |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20000115-1.2.77.6 |access-date=17 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=15 January 2000}}</ref>

Until April 2000,<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Lee|editor1-first=Chun Wah|editor2-last=Goonasekera|editor2-first=Anura|editor3-last=Venkatraman|editor3-first=S.|title=Asian Communication Handbook|date=2003|publisher=Asian Mass Communication Research and Information Centre|isbn=9971-905-97-3|page=171|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ua4AAAAIAAJ|access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref> [[Malaysia]] had an annual television licence fee of MYR 24 (MYR 2 per month), one of the lowest television licence fees in the world. Now, [[Radio Televisyen Malaysia|RTM]] is funded by the government and advertising.

===Malta===
The licence fee in [[Malta]] funded [[Television Malta]] (TVM), and the radio stations Radio Malta and Radju Parliament run by [[Public Broadcasting Services]]. Approximately two-thirds of TVM's funding came from the licence fee, with much of the remainder coming from commercials.<ref>(May 2002) {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20091009131525/http://www.circom-regional.org/crdocs/european-benchmarking2002.pdf European Benchmarking: Public Service Broadcasters in the Digital Era]}}, Circom Regional (European Association of Regional Television). Retrieved 21 November 2006.</ref> Malta's television licence was abolished in 2011 when the [[free-to-air]] system was introduced.

=== Netherlands ===
Advertising on public television and radio started in 1967 but was tightly regulated. Initially there was only a small advertising segment before and after news broadcasts. In the late 1980s, commercial breaks of 1 to 3 minutes were allowed between programmes. Advertising on Sundays was not permitted until 1991.
Due to excessive collection costs, the fee was abolished around 2000.<ref name="ero">(May 2006) [http://www.ero.dk/documentation/docs/doc98/official/pdf/ECCREP084.PDF Analysis of Responses on Fees for Broadcasting and Fees for Non-Commercial and Passive Services] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615191909/http://www.ero.dk/documentation/docs/doc98/official/pdf/ECCREP084.PDF |date=15 June 2007}}, Electronic Communications Committee (ECC)
within the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT).</ref> Income tax was increased and the maximum duration  of commercial breaks was extended to 5 and 7&nbsp;minutes.<ref name="ero" /> The [[Netherlands Public Broadcasting]] is now funded by government subsidy and advertising. The amount of time used by commercial breaks may not exceed 15 per cent of daily broadcasting time or 10 per cent of total annual broadcasting time.

===New Zealand===
Licence fees were first used in New Zealand to fund the radio services of what was to become the [[New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation]]. Television was introduced in 1960 and with it the television licence fee, later known as the public broadcasting fee. This was capped at [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]100 a year in the 1970s, and the country's two television channels, while still publicly owned, became increasingly reliant on advertising. From 1989, it was collected and disbursed by the Broadcasting Commission ([[NZ On Air]]) on a contestable basis to support local content production. The public broadcasting fee was abolished in July 1999.<ref>{{cite web |last1=New Zealand Government |title=Broadcasting Amendment Act 1999 |url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1999/0063/latest/whole.html#DLM30043 |access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref><ref>[http://www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/1999/pdfs/exec-sum99.pdf Investing in the Next Generation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216134431/http://www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/1999/pdfs/exec-sum99.pdf |date=16 February 2016 }}, Economic and Fiscal Forecast Summary, [[New Zealand Treasury]], 1999</ref><ref name="NZabolish">{{cite news |last1=Cleave |first1=Louisa |title=BROADCASTING: Licence-fee cut hits local content on TV |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/broadcasting-licence-fee-cut-hits-local-content-on-tv/3JQCTOTENGTCPTTFFOFG3H7LAA/ |access-date=24 April 2025 |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=30 Jun 2000}}</ref> NZ On Air was then funded by a direct appropriation from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

=== North Macedonia ===
The licence fee in the [[Republic of North Macedonia]] was around €26 per year.<ref>
{{cite book
| title = Television across Europe: regulation, policy and independence: Republic of North Macedonia
| publisher = EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program (EUMAP)/ Open Society Institute (OSI)
|year=2005
| isbn = 978-1-891385-35-3
| url = http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/macedonia/media_mac1.pdf
| pages = 1165–1230
| author = Borce Manevski, MA in Communications and Media.}}
</ref> Until 2005 it was collected monthly as part of the electricity bill. From November 2005, [[Macedonian Radio-Television]] (MRT) collected the fee until this responsibility was taken over by the Public Revenue Office. The fee was paid per household, with exemptions for households not covered by a broadcasting signal, and households of people with severe vision or hearing impairment. Hotels and motels were charged one broadcasting fee for every five rooms, legal persons and office space owners paid for one broadcasting fee for each 20 employees or other users of the office space, and owners of catering and other public facilities paid per television set. MRT also received income from advertising and sponsorship.

In January 2017, the licence fee was abolished. MRT, Macedonian Broadcasting and the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services are now financed directly from the Budget of the Republic of North Macedonia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mrt.com.mk/node/43078 |title=МРТ |access-date=10 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811032301/http://www.mrt.com.mk/node/43078 |archive-date=11 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Norway===

The licence fee in [[Norway]] was abolished in January 2020. Before that, every household with a television needed to pay a fee of {{circa}} 3000 [[Norwegian krone|kr]] (c. €305). The fee was charged per household. People in a house who had a separate television and were not in the parental care of the householders needed to pay a separate licence fee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/informasjon/lisens/1.8037531 |title=5.Who has to pay TV licence fee? - Lisens - NRK |access-date=24 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618123300/http://www.nrk.no/informasjon/lisens/1.8037531 |archive-date=18 June 2012}}</ref> 
The fee was the primary source of income for [[Norsk Rikskringkasting]] (NRK).<ref name="NRK">{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/informasjon/lisens/1.2843183 |title=Fakta om kringkastingsavgiften - Lisens - NRK |access-date=14 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231145341/http://www.nrk.no/informasjon/lisens/1.2843183 |archive-date=31 December 2009}}</ref> Since 2020, funding for NRK comes through taxation from each individual liable for income taxes in Norway.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ny finansiering av NRK – spørsmål og svar|url=https://www.nrk.no/informasjon/ny-finansiering-av-nrk-_-sporsmal-og-svar-1.14681657|url-status=live|website=NRK|date=2 September 2019|language=no|access-date=12 April 2021|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418154142/https://www.nrk.no/informasjon/ny-finansiering-av-nrk-_-sporsmal-og-svar-1.14681657}}</ref>

===Romania===
Until 2017 a licence fee was collected as part of the electricity bill. It made up part of [[Televiziunea Română]]'s (TVR) funding, with the rest coming from advertising and government grants. Everyone with a television receiver or a computer needed to pay.
In 2016, the Parliament of Romania decided to abolish the fee from 1 January 2017.<ref name="eurotopics.net">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurotopics.net/de/168977/rumaeniens-parlament-kippt-rundfunkgebuehr|title=Rumäniens Parlament kippt Rundfunkgebühr|website=eurotopics.net|date=4 November 2016 }}</ref> Since then, TVR's funding mainly comes from government grants and advertising.

===Singapore===
Residents of Singapore with televisions in their households, or televisions or radios in their vehicles, were required to acquire the appropriate licences from 1963 to 2010. The licence fee in 1963 was at $24 per year ($2 per month), touted at the time as being "one of the cheapest in [[South East Asia|this part of the world]]".<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=3 January 1963 |title=S'pore TV starts next month |newspaper=The Straits Times |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19630103-1.2.15?qt=%22channel%205%22&q=%22Channel%205%22 |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref> The licence fees are channelled to the [[Infocomm Media Development Authority|Singapore Broadcasting Authority]] where they would be used to fund minority and public service programmes.<ref>{{cite news |title=TV delivers audiences to advertisers, entertainment and news come second |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19950423-1.2.79.22.1 |access-date=11 December 2023 |work=The Straits Times |date=23 April 1995}}</ref>

As of 1991, the licence fee was at $100 per year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rancangan Melayu tidak harus ketinggalan |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/beritaharian19911222-1.2.11.5.1 |access-date=1 November 2024 |work=Berita Harian (Singapore) |date=22 November 1991}}</ref>

The licence fees were abolished from 1 January 2011. Then Finance Minister [[Tharman Shanmugaratnam]] reported that he was abolishing the fees as they were "losing their relevance".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1111579/1/.html|title=Channel NewsAsia|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=12 July 2015|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630174815/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1111579/1/.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Slovakia===
The TV licence fee in [[Slovakia]] was €4.64 per month (€55.68 per year).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slov-lex.sk/pravne-predpisy/SK/ZZ/2012/340/|title=340/2012 Z.z. – Zákon o úhrade za služby verejnosti... |website=Slov-lex.sk|access-date=27 January 2018}}</ref> In addition to the licence fee, [[RTVS]] also received state subsidies and money from advertising. The licence fee was abolished from 1 July 2023.<ref name="tvnoviny.sk"/>

=== Soviet Union ===
Until 1961, all radio and television receivers in the Soviet Union were required to be registered in local telecommunication offices and a subscription fee was to be paid monthly. Compulsory registration and subscription fees were abolished on 18 August 1961, with prices of radio and television receivers raised to compensate for the lost fees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2994959|title=Могут быть использованы вражескими элементами|date=13 June 2016|work=Журнал "Коммерсантъ Власть"|access-date=25 April 2018|publisher=[[Kommersant]]|page=45|language=ru}}</ref>

=== Sweden ===
{{Main|Television licensing in Sweden}}

On 1 January 2019, the television licence ({{langx|sv| TV-avgift}}, literally ''TV fee'') in Sweden was scrapped and replaced by a "general public service fee" ({{langx|sv|allmän public service-avgift}}), which is a flat income-based public broadcasting tax of 1 per cent, capped at {{currency|1300|SEK|first=yes}} (approximately {{currency|145|USD}} or {{currency|126|EUR}}) per person per year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotjanst.se/en/Radio-and-TV-fee/the-radio-and-tv-fee-is-being-replaced/|title=The radio and TV fee is being replaced|work=Radiotjänst|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116001235/https://www.radiotjanst.se/en/Radio-and-TV-fee/the-radio-and-tv-fee-is-being-replaced/|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The fee is administered by the [[Swedish Tax Agency]] ({{langx|sv|Skatteverket}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://skatteverket.se/privat/skatter/arbeteochinkomst/skattetabeller/publicserviceavgift.4.22501d9e166a8cb399f31dd.html|title=Public service-avgift {{!}} Skatteverket|last=Skatteverket|website=skatteverket.se|language=sv|access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref> on behalf of the country's three public broadcasters [[Sveriges Television]] (SVT), [[Sveriges Radio]] (SR) and [[Sveriges Utbildningsradio]] (UR). The fee pays for 5 television channels, 45 radio channels, and online television and radio.

Previously the television licence was a household-based flat fee. Originally it was referred as the "television licence" ({{langx|sv|TV-licens}}), but in the 2000s was renamed "television fee". It was last charged in 2018 at {{currency|2400|SEK}} per annum.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotjanst.se/en/Radio-and-TV-fee/|title=Radio and TV fee|work=Radiotjänst|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121192653/https://www.radiotjanst.se/en/Radio-and-TV-fee/|archive-date=21 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was payable in monthly, bimonthly, quarterly or annual instalments,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotjanst.se/en/Payment/|title=Payment|work=Radiotjänst|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707173316/https://www.radiotjanst.se/en/Payment/|archive-date=7 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> to the agency [[Radiotjänst i Kiruna]], which was jointly owned by SVT, SR and UR. The fee was collected by every household or company containing a television set, and possession of such a device had to be reported to Radiotjänst by law. One fee was collected per household regardless of the number of television sets in the home or at other locations owned by the household, such as summer houses. Although the fee also paid for radio broadcasting, there was no specific fee for radios since the radio licence was abolished in 1978.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radiotjanst.se/en/Radio-and-TV-fee/The-history-behind-the-fee/|title=The history of the Swedish license fee|work=Radiotjänst|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116000955/https://www.radiotjanst.se/en/Radio-and-TV-fee/The-history-behind-the-fee/|archive-date=16 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Television licence evasion was suspected to be around 11 to 15 per cent.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.svt.se/kultur/medier/sa-ska-public-service-finansieras-i-framtiden|title=Så ska public service finansieras i framtiden|last=Nyheter|first=SVT|date=16 October 2017|work=SVT Nyheter|access-date=15 November 2018|language=sv}}</ref>

===Taiwan===
[[File:ROC-MOTC television sets license.jpg|thumb|A Taiwanese TV licence]]
Between 1959 and the 1970s, all radio and TV receivers in Taiwan were required to have a licence with an annual fee of [[New Taiwan dollar|NT$]]60. This was to prevent influence from mainland China's (the People's Republic of China) channels.<ref>{{cite web |title=廣播收音機執照 |trans-title=TV and Radio Licensing in Taiwan |url=http://dict.th.gov.tw/term/view/1182 |website=[[Taiwan Historica]] |access-date=9 November 2019 |archive-date=18 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118045151/http://dict.th.gov.tw/term/view/1182 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Thailand ===
The Radio Broadcasting and Television Act, B.E. 2498 (1955) set a lifetime licence fee of 200 [[Thai baht|baht]] (equivalent to {{Format price|{{Inflation|TH|200|1955}}}} baht in {{Inflation/year|index=TH}}) for ownership of radio and television sets or parts.<ref>[https://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/documents/1162326.pdf พระราชบัญญัติวิทยุกระจายเสียงและวิทยุโทรทัศน์ พ.ศ. ๒๔๙๘] [Radio Broadcasting and Television Act, B.E. 2498] (PDF). ''Royal Thai Government Gazette'' (in Thai). No. 72 Section 11: 237–248. 8 February 1955. Retrieved 2 November 2023.</ref> It was abolished in 1959 as television and radio quickly became a vital source of information.<ref>[https://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/documents/1186951.pdf พระราชบัญญัติวิทยุกระจายเสียงและวิทยุโทรทัศน์ (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๐๒] [Radio Broadcasting and Television Act (No. 2), B.E. 2502] (PDF). ''Royal Thai Government Gazette'' (in Thai). No. 76 Section 43: special edition pages 1–6. 7 April 1959. Retrieved 2 November 2023.</ref>

==Countries that have never had a television or broadcasting licence==
===Andorra===
[[Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra]], the public broadcaster, is funded by advertising and government grants with no fee for viewers.

===Brazil===
The federal company [[Empresa Brasil de Comunicação]], which manages [[TV Brasil]] and public radio stations (Rádio MEC and Rádio Nacional), is financed from the Federal Budget, besides profit from licensing and production of programs, institutional advertisement, and service rendering to public and private institutions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.agenciabrasil.gov.br/noticias/2007/10/11/materia.2007-10-11.2874503544/view |title=Empresa Brasil de Comunicação terá diferentes formas de financiamento — Agência Brasil - EBC |access-date=2 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821131602/http://www.agenciabrasil.gov.br/noticias/2007/10/11/materia.2007-10-11.2874503544/view |archive-date=21 August 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Padre Anchieta Foundation]], which manages [[TV Cultura]] and the Cultura FM and Cultura Brasil radio stations in [[São Paulo (state)|São Paulo]], receives funds from the state government, advertisements and fundraising from the private sector. In December 1997, the "Education and Culture Tax", a state tax in [[São Paulo (state)|São Paulo]], was instituted to fund the state's public broadcasters, TV Cultura and Rádio Cultura.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lei nº 9.904, de 30 de dezembro de 1997 |url=http://www.al.sp.gov.br/leis/legislacao-do-estado/ |website=Legislative Assembly of State of São Paulo |access-date=23 September 2021 |language=pt-BR |date=30 December 1997}}</ref> The tax was charged monthly through electricity bills according to consumers' energy consumption.<ref>{{cite news |title=SP cria nova lei para custear TV Cultura |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc070115.htm |website=Folha de S.Paulo |access-date=23 September 2021 |date=7 January 1998 |language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nova taxa torna TV Cultura superavitária |url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc080115.htm |access-date=23 September 2021 |website=Folha de S.Paulo |date=8 January 1998 |language=pt-BR}}</ref> However, the collection of the fee was declared unconstitutional by the Court of Justice of the State of São Paulo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dallari |first1=Adilson Abreu |title=Cobrança de taxa para custeio da TV educativa |url=https://www2.senado.leg.br/bdsf/bitstream/handle/id/371/r138-11.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y |website=Federal Senate of Brazil |access-date=23 September 2021 |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

=== Chile ===
The state-owned [[Chile]]an television broadcaster, [[Televisión Nacional de Chile]] (TVN), founded in 1969, is financed by advertising, which can air between programs. Its autonomous financing allows the corporation to have economic independence from the State of Chile, being able to fully retain and take advantage of its annual profits only if the director in charge can esteem that way, as if it were a private company; however, TVN by a 1992 law cannot receive state financing under any circumstance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1992-04-08 |title=Ley N° 19.132 |trans-title=Law N° 19.132 |url=http://estaticos.tvn.cl/skins/especiales/tvncorporativo/201410281740/documentos/Ley19132.pdf |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=TVN.cl |language=Spanish}}</ref> Its educational subchannel, NTV, is instead state-financed through a unique provision of funds courtesy of the Finance Ministry of Chile, and therefore cannot air advertisements, as well as have any commercial links.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-07 |title=John Müller sobre TVN: "La señal cultural es una excusa para seguir detrayendo recursos" |trans-title=John Müller about TVN: "The cultural signal is an excuse to still detract resources" |url=https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/c6825151-913a-492c-8774-a95877393662/episodes/09ad6d4b-9e01-473e-8137-8cf91d3f2df7/columnistas-p%C3%A1gina-13-john-m%C3%BCller-sobre-tvn-la-se%C3%B1al-cultural-es-una-excusa-para-seguir-detrayendo-recursos |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=[[Amazon Music]] |publisher=Tele13 Radio |language=Spanish |type=podcast}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Espinosa |first=Magdalena |date=2021-04-28 |title=Canal cultural de TVN avanza en su implementación en señal abierta y se estrenará el 1 de julio |trans-title=TVN's cultural channel advances on its free-to-air signal implementation and will launch on 1 July |url=https://www.df.cl/empresas/telecom-tecnologia/canal-cultural-de-tvn-avanza-en-su-implementacion-en-senal-abierta-y-se |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Diario Financiero |language=Spanish}}</ref>

===China===
The current state broadcaster, [[China Central Television]] (CCTV), established in 1958, is funded almost entirely through the sale of commercial advertising time, although this is supplemented by government funding and a tax of ¥2 per month from all cable television subscribers in the country.

=== Estonia ===
In [[Estonia]] there are three public TV channels: [[Eesti Televisioon]] ETV, ETV2, and ETV+ (ETV+ was launched on 27 September 2015 and mostly targets people who speak Russian). The funding comes from government [[grant-in-aid]]. ETV is currently one of only a few public television broadcasters in the European Union which has neither advertising nor a licence fee and is solely funded by national government grants. Commercials in public broadcasting television were stopped in 2002 over concerns that its low prices were damaging the ability of commercial broadcasters to operate. The introduction of a licence fee system was considered but ultimately rejected in the face of public opposition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/estonia/media_est1.pdf|title=Television across Europe: regulation, policy and independence – Estonia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327121308/http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/estonia/media_est1.pdf|archive-date=27 March 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=8 May 2009}}</ref>

=== Iran ===
[[Iran]] has never levied television licence fees. After the 1979 [[Islamic Revolution]], [[National Iranian Radio and Television]] was renamed [[Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting]], and became the state broadcaster. In Iran, private broadcasting is illegal.

=== Latvia ===
[[Public Broadcasting of Latvia]] is a consortium of the public radio broadcaster [[Latvijas Radio]] and the public TV broadcaster [[Latvijas Televīzija]], which operates the LTV1 and LTV7 channels. After years of debate, the public broadcasters ceased airing commercial advertising from January 1, 2021, and became fully government-funded by the national budget.<ref name=":0b">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-01-02|title=Public media exits the advertising market|url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/media-literacy/public-media-exits-the-advertising-market.a387451/|access-date=2021-01-21|website=[[Public Broadcasting of Latvia]]|language=en}}</ref> The introduction of a television licence has been previously debated, but this was opposed by the government.

===Luxembourg===
[[Luxembourg]] has never had a television licence requirement, which made it a prime way for various multi-national stations to host their operations and transmitters in the country, which was the fate of [[RTL Group|Radio Télévision Luxembourg]]. Until 1993, it had no national public broadcaster, and it still has no public television broadcaster.

[[Radio 100,7]] is a radio station funded by the country's Ministry of Culture and by sponsorship arrangements. Television in Luxembourg is provided by the commercial network [[RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg]] and channels serving nearby countries.

===Monaco===
Monaco has never had any listener or viewer broadcasting licence fee. Since the establishment of [[Radio Monte Carlo|Radio Monte-Carlo]] in 1943 and [[TMC (TV channel)|Télévision Monte-Carlo]] in 1954, both have been funded on a commercial basis with no charge for the audience.

===Nigeria===
Television licences are not used in Nigeria, except in the sense of ''broadcasting licences'' granted to private networks. The federal government's television station, NTA ([[Nigerian Television Authority]]), has two broadcast networks: NTA 1 is partly funded by central government and partly by advertising revenue, and NTA 2 is wholly funded by advertisements. Almost all thirty-six states have their own television stations, funded wholly or substantially by their respective governments.

=== Philippines ===
Television licensing has never been enacted in the Philippines. The state-owned television ([[People's Television Network|PTV]] and [[Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation|IBC]]) and radio ([[Philippine Broadcasting Service|PBS]]) stations have been funded directly by the government's annual budget and by advertising.

===[[Post-Soviet states]]===
See [[#Soviet Union]].

=== Spain ===
Spanish national public broadcasters had been funded by government grants and advertising income since {{lang|es|[[Radio Nacional de España]]|i=no}} (RNE) radio service was launched in 1937 and {{lang|es|[[Televisión Española]]|i=no}} (TVE) television service was launched in 1956. Although RNE removed advertising in 1986, TVE continued broadcasting commercials until 2009. Since 2010, [[Radiotelevisión Española]] (RTVE) –the corporation that absorbed the management of RNE and TVE in 2007– is funded by government grants and taxes paid by private nationwide television broadcasters and telecommunications companies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20090716/nueva-ley-financiacion-rtve-permite-patrocinio-limitado-eventos-deportivos/285196.shtml|title=La nueva ley de financiación de RTVE permite el patrocinio "limitado" de eventos deportivos|date=13 July 2009|publisher=[[RTVE]]|language=es|trans-title=The new RTVE financing law allows for "limited" sponsorship of sporting events|access-date=31 December 2015}}</ref>

=== United States ===
In the United States, privately owned commercial radio and television stations funded by advertising proved to be commercially viable. Some governments owned non-commercial radio stations (such as [[WNYC (AM)|WNYC]], owned by New York City from 1922 to 1997) or [[educational television]] stations, but most broadcasters were private companies or were owned by charitable organizations supported by donations.

The [[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]] (CPB) was created by the [[Public Broadcasting Act of 1967]], and this led to the creation of the [[Public Broadcasting Service]] (PBS) and [[National Public Radio]] (NPR). These are loose networks of [[non-commercial educational]] (NCE) stations owned by state and local governments, [[educational institutions]], and non-profit organizations. They are more similar to U.S. commercial networks than European public broadcasters.

Annual funding for [[public television]] in the United States was US$445.5&nbsp;million in 2014 (including interest revenue).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cpb.org/aboutcpb/financials/budget|title=CPB Operating Budget|date=15 January 2015|website=Cpb.org|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> The CPB, and virtually all government-owned stations, are funded through general taxes, donations from individuals (usually in the form of "memberships"), and charitable organizations. Individual programs on public broadcasters may be supported by [[underwriting spot]]s paid for by sponsors. Between 53 and 60 percent of public television's revenues come from private membership donations and [[Grant (money)|grants]],<ref name="revenue">{{cite web|url=http://www.cpb.org/stations/reports/revenue/2005PublicBroadcastingRevenue.pdf|title=Public Broadcasting Revenue Fiscal Year 2005|access-date=10 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515140419/http://www.cpb.org/stations/reports/revenue/2005PublicBroadcastingRevenue.pdf|archive-date=15 May 2011}}</ref> so most stations solicit individual donations by [[fundraising]], [[pledge drive]]s or [[telethon]]s which can disrupt regularly scheduled programming. Normal programming can be replaced with specials aimed at a wider audience to solicit new members and donations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/ombudsman/2006/03/pledging_allegiance_or_march_madness.html|title=Pledging Allegiance, or March Madness?|last=Getler|first=Michael|author-link=Michael Getler|date=24 March 2006|publisher=PBS Ombudsman|access-date=22 May 2006}}</ref>

In some rural areas of the United States, [[broadcast translator]] districts exist, which are funded by an [[ad valorem]] [[property tax]] on all property within the district,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aspenpitkin.com/Departments/Public-Works/TV-FM-Broadcast-Service|title=TV/FM Broadcast Service &#124; City of Aspen and Pitkin County, Colorado|publisher=Aspenpitkin.com|access-date=13 January 2011|archive-date=13 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213095808/http://aspenpitkin.com/Departments/Public-Works/TV-FM-Broadcast-Service/|url-status=dead}}</ref> or by a parcel tax on each dwelling unit within the district. Failure to pay the TV translator tax has the same repercussions as failing to pay any other property tax, including a [[lien]] placed on the property and eventual seizure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monocounty.ca.gov/online_services/documents/cocode/_DATA/TITLE03/Chapter_3_32_TELEVISION_TRANSL.html|title=Chapter 3.32 TELEVISION TRANSLATOR SERVICE CHARGE|publisher=Monocounty.ca.gov|access-date=13 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115192928/http://www.monocounty.ca.gov/online_services/documents/cocode/_DATA/TITLE03/Chapter_3_32_TELEVISION_TRANSL.html|archive-date=15 November 2010}}</ref> In addition, fines can be levied on viewers who watch TV from the translator signals without paying the fee. As the Federal Communications Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over broadcast stations, whether a local authority can legally impose a fee merely to watch an over-the-air broadcast station is questionable. In some areas the tax is charged regardless of whether the resident watches TV from the translator. In other areas the property owner may certify that they do not use the translator district's services and get a waiver.

[[Cable television franchise fee]] agreements are added to cable TV bills to fund [[public, educational, and government access]] (PEG) television for the municipality that granted the franchise agreement. State governments may also add taxes. These taxes generate controversy since they sometimes go into the general taxation fund, or there is "double taxation" where [[public-access television]] is paid for by taxes but the cable television operator has to pay for equipment or facilities, or has to pay for local municipality projects that are not related to television.

=== Uruguay ===
Uruguay does not have a fee or TV licence. The two public broadcasters in the country, [[Canal 5 (Uruguay)|Canal 5]] and [[Radiodifusión Nacional del Uruguay|RNU]], are funded by government grants.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ley N° 19.307 |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/leyes/19307-2014 |website=Centro de Información Oficial |access-date=20 October 2022 |language=es-UY}}</ref>

=== Vietnam ===
Vietnam has never had a television licence fee. Advertising was introduced in the early 1990s as a way to generate revenue for television stations. The current state broadcaster, [[Vietnam Television]], receives the majority of its funds through advertising and some from government subsidies. Local television stations in Vietnam are operated in a similar way.

== Detection of television licence evasion ==

In many jurisdictions, television licences are enforced. Detection of illegal television sets can be as simple as observing the lights and sounds of a television used in a property without a licence.

[[Television detector van]]s have been employed by TV Licensing in the United Kingdom, with various [[TV detector van#Detection techniques|detection techniques]] reported. An effort to compel the BBC to release key information about the television detection equipment under the [[Freedom of Information Act 2000]] was rejected by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).<ref name="ICO2008">{{cite web |author=Information Commissioner's Office |date=13 May 2008 |title=Decision Notice: Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Section 50) – British Broadcasting Corporation |url=http://ico.org.uk/~/media/documents/decisionnotices/2008/FS_50154106.PDF |access-date=20 April 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407052621/http://ico.org.uk/~/media/documents/decisionnotices/2008/FS_50154106.PDF |archive-date=7 April 2014 |url-status=dead |format=PDF}}</ref> The BBC stated, "Detection equipment is complex to deploy as its use is strictly governed by the [[Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000]] (RIPA) and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (British Broadcasting Corporation) Order 2001. RIPA and the Order outline how relevant investigatory powers are to be used by the BBC and ensure compliance with human rights."<ref name="ICO2008" />

The BBC has also resisted further Freedom of Information Act requests seeking data on estimated evasion rates for each nation of the UK, citing the same exemptions.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tibbitt |first=Ally |date=29 September 2021 |title=BBC criticised for lack of transparency over licence fee evasion |url=https://theferret.scot/bbc-criticised-lack-transparency-licence-evasion/ |website=The Ferret |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref>

==Opinions of television licensing systems==
Advocates argue that a main advantage of television fully funded by a licence fee is that programming can be enjoyed without interruptions for advertisements. Europeans tend to watch television for one hour less per day than North Americans,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4437423.stm |title=North America watches the most TV averaging four hours 28&nbsp;minutes viewing per day. Europeans average three hours 35&nbsp;minutes |work=BBC News |date=12 April 2005 |access-date=13 January 2011}}</ref> but because of differences in advertising may be enjoying the same amount of television content in that shorter time. 
Television funded by advertising is not truly free of cost to consumers as the cost of advertising is passed on in the price of products.

Critics of receiver licensing point out that a licence is a [[regressive tax|regressive form of taxation]].<ref>
{{cite press release
 |title       = BBC Review should consider licence fee concessions
 |publisher   = [[IPPR]]
 |date        = 27 December 2003
 |url         = http://www.ippr.org.uk/pressreleases/archive.asp?id=762&fID=60
 |access-date  = 21 November 2006
|url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080629022755/http://www.ippr.org.uk/pressreleases/archive.asp?id=762&fID=60
 |archive-date = 29 June 2008
|df          = dmy-all
}}
</ref> In contrast, costs from advertising are paid proportion to the consumption of advertised goods. The experience with broadcast deregulation in Europe suggests that demand for commercial-free content is not as high as once thought.{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}

The Department concluded that the licence fee was "the least worse {{sic}} option",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbccharterreview.org.uk/pdf_documents/what_you_said_aboutthe_BBC.pdf |title=Review of the BBC's Royal Charter: What you said about the BBC |date=July 2004 |access-date=20 April 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219131644/http://www.bbccharterreview.org.uk/pdf_documents/what_you_said_aboutthe_BBC.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and in 2005 the British government described the system as "the best (and most widely supported) funding model, even though it is not perfect".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/02_03_05_bbcgreen.pdf |title=Review of the BBC's Royal Charter: A strong BBC, independent of government (Green Paper) |publisher=Department for Culture, Media and Sport |date=March 2005 |access-date=20 April 2026 |format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Licence fee 'needs more scrutiny' |work=BBC News |date=12 June 2006 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5071022.stm |access-date=20 April 2026}}</ref>

In 2018, Swiss voters rejected a referendum to scrap TV licensing by 71.6 per cent to 28.4 per cent. In [[Bulgaria]], a fee is specified in the broadcasting law but has never been implemented.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Däther |first=Kerstin |author2=Scheuer, Alexander |title=The Financing of Public Service Broadcasting in Selected Central and Eastern European States |journal=IRIS Legal Observations of the European Audiovisual Observatory |year=2000 |pages=14–20 |url=http://www.obs.coe.int/oea_publ/iris/iris_plus/focus6_2000.pdf.en |access-date=20 April 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010629010159/http://www.obs.coe.int/oea_publ/iris/iris_plus/focus6_2000.pdf.en |archive-date=29 June 2001 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Lithuania]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Open Society Institute |author2=EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program |author3=Network Media Program |year=2005 |title=Television across Europe: regulation, policy and independence: Lithuania |publisher=Open Society Institute (OSI) |isbn=978-1-891385-35-3 |url=http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/lithuania/media_lit1.pdf |pages=1019–1075 |access-date=20 April 2026 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008103029/http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/lithuania/media_lit1.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Latvia]] have debated a licence fee but not legislated for one, partly due to government reluctance to relinquish direct control of [[Latvijas Televīzija]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Open Society Institute |author2=EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program |author3=Network Media Program |year=2005 |title=Television across Europe: regulation, policy and independence: Latvia |publisher=Open Society Institute (OSI) |isbn=978-1-891385-35-3 |url=http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/latvia/media_lat1.pdf |pages=955–1017 |access-date=20 April 2026 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008103029/http://www.eumap.org/topics/media/television_europe/national/latvia/media_lat1.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Czech Republic increased the proportion of funding that the public broadcaster gets from licence fees, justifying the move with the argument that the existing public service broadcasters cannot compete with commercial broadcasters for advertising revenues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Česká Televize 2006 |url=http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct/publikace/pdf/Czech_Television_2006.pdf |publisher=Czech Television External Relations |date=May 2006 |access-date=20 April 2026 |format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929131437/http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct/publikace/pdf/Czech_Television_2006.pdf |archive-date=29 September 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Internet-based broadcast access ==
The Internet allows television and radio programmes to be easily accessed outside their country of origin. Where national broadcasters have streaming services, there would be no technological difficulties in accessing these programmes internationally. However, countries with TV licensing systems often do not have a way for potential international viewers to pay for a licence. Instead, they work to prevent international access because licensing rules have not adapted to the possible global audience.

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
=== TV licensing authorities ===
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140517015815/http://broadcastingfee.com/ Broadcasting Fee Association] – international organisation for television licence fee collecting organisations
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040109040244/http://www.obs.coe.int/db/gavis/redevance_tv.html.en A list of TV licence authorities by the European Audiovisual Observatory]
* [http://www.billag.ch Billag (Switzerland)]
* [http://www.serafe.ch Serafe (Switzerland)]
* [https://www.dr.dk/om-dr/licens  Licenskontoret  (Denmark)]
* [http://www.pemra.gov.pk/ PEMRA (Pakistan)]
* [https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/ Beitragsservice (Germany)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050308102244/http://members.orf.at/ ORF-GIS (Austria)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180118042520/https://www.radiotjanst.se/ Radiotjänst (Sweden)]
* [http://www.tvlic.co.za TV Licences (South Africa)]
* [http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/ TV Licensing (United Kingdom)]
* [http://www.tv-maksu.fi TV-maksuhallinto (Finland)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417081530/http://www.tv-maksu.fi/ |date=17 April 2021 }}

{{Broadcasting}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Television Licence}}
[[Category:Licenses]]
[[Category:Television terminology]]
[[Category:Broadcast law]]
[[Category:Tax]]