Ireland - Obtain a Television (TV) Licence

ProcedureEdit

In Person: Every post office in the country sells television licences and stocks application forms for those who wish to apply for a free television licence. Go to any post office to pay for your television licence. You can pay in cash, cheque, debit card (some post offices also accept credit cards). You can also pay for your television licence by using television licence savings stamps.
By Phone: You can also pay for your licence using your credit card by calling the lo-call telephone number: 1890 228 528 (Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Online: You can also pay your television licence online - link
Direct Debit: Download an application form to arrange payment of your television licence by direct debit through your financial institution.

Cheque Payments

If you wish to pay for your television licence by cheque, the cheque must be crossed and made payable to An Post. You must also include your renewal notice if you are renewing your licence and supply your full name and address in all correspondence.

Cheques (crossed) for television licences should be made payable to An Post and forwarded (freepost) to the TV Licence Records Office at:

An Post

Consumer Services

G.P.O

FREEPOST

O'Connell Street

Dublin 1

Ireland

Completed forms for those who wish to pay by direct debit or credit card should also be returned to this address.

Required DocumentsEdit

List down the documents required for successfully completing the procedure.

e.g.
1. Proof of child birth from the Hospital.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

An Post
Consumer Services
G.P.O
FREEPOST
O'Connell Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel:(01) 705 7600
Locall:Callsave 1850 575 859
Fax:(01) 809 0900
Email: [email protected]
Website

If you have a query regarding the free television licence scheme, contact:

Pension Services Office'
Department of Social Protection
College Road
Sligo
Ireland
Locall:1890 500 000

EligibilityEdit

Household, business or institution in Ireland with a television or equipment capable of receiving a television signal (using an aerial, satellite dish, cable or other means)

FeesEdit

Television licence: 160

Those who are aged over 70, can get a television licence free of charge as part of the Household Benefits package. Some people under 70 may also qualify for the Household Benefits Package and a free television licence. To know more

ValidityEdit

Television licence issued for the first time remains valid until the end of the 11th month following the month in which it was issued. For example, if the licence was issued in the middle of April it will remain in force until the end of March the following year. When you renew it at the end of that period, the new licence remains in force for 12 months.

Documents to UseEdit

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Sample DocumentsEdit

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Processing TimeEdit

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InstructionsEdit

TV Licence

All television or equipment capable of receiving a television signal, are required by law to have a television licence. Even if the television or other equipment is broken and currently unable to receive a signal, it is regarded as capable of being repaired so it can receive a signal and you must hold a licence for it. Failure to produce evidence of a television licence to an inspector can result in a court appearance and on conviction, you can receive a substantial fine. People who have been fined and who have breached court orders directing them to pay their television licence can be imprisoned.

Watching television on your computer or mobile phone does not require a TV licence. However, the computer must not be able to receive a signal distributed by conventional television broadcasting networks, for example, cable, satellite or aerial.

Two television sets in one home: If the equipment capable of receiving a television signal (for example a television set or a personal computer) is held in a household (an apartment, flat or a house), then one television licence will cover multiple pieces of equipment. In other words, if you have a television set in your living room and kitchen, one television licence covers both sets.

However, if the building in which the equipment is kept is sub-divided into flats or apartments or other separate living quarters, then a separate television licence must be held for each of these quarters. In other words, an individual licence must be held for each separate flat, apartment or other dwelling.

Rented accommodation: To those who are living in rented accommodation with a television, you must have a television licence. This applies irrespective of who owns the television (whether the television belongs to you or the landlord). The law states that anyone resident on a premises in possession of a television set must have a television licence.
Moving to a new home: If you are moving house, it is possible and highly advisable to have your television licence transferred to your new address. Simply bring your existing licence to your nearest Post Office, together with evidence of your new address (that is a household utility bill or a bank statement). Staff in your Post Office will then amend the details on your record and your licence will be updated and re-issued to you. This service is free.
Television licences for holiday homes/second homes: Holiday home/second home that has a television, or equipment capable of receiving a television signal (using an aerial, satellite dish, cable or other means), must also have a television licence. This is the case even if this is not your main residence and you already hold a licence for your main address. Failure to have a television licence where this is required can result in penalties.
Moving to Ireland from another jurisdiction: You may not transfer a television licence from another jurisdiction to Ireland. Television licences for Ireland can only be purchased here and are only valid here. This means that if you transfer residence from Northern Ireland or another country (either in the EU or outside the EU) you must still purchase a television licence here.

Even if you will be remaining in Ireland for a short time, you are required to have a television licence. Each licence is issued for a 1 year period; this means that if you will be staying in Ireland for less than 1 year, you must still obtain a full television licence. You cannot obtain a refund on the licence fee if you will be leaving Ireland before the licence expires.

Required InformationEdit

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the DocumentEdit

Every establishment in Ireland with a television or equipment capable of receiving a television signal (using an aerial, satellite dish, cable or other means) must have a television licence. A television licence is a certificate that states that you have paid the appropriate fee to the government and contributed to the cost of public service broadcasting in Ireland.

Following is a procedure on how you can obtain a TV Licence in Ireland.

Information which might helpEdit

Public service broadcasting in Ireland means comprehensive radio and television services that are free to transmit programmes that entertain, educate, inform and cater for all members of the community. These services must also provide news and current affairs programmes, including coverage of proceedings in the Houses of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) and the European Parliament.

Each year, Irish government provides a grant to RTE (the national broadcasting organisation), using funds coming from television licence fees. RTE has responsibilities to deliver public service programmes in Ireland. The television licence fee is collected by An Post on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, who has responsibility for broadcasting policy in Ireland.

External LinksEdit

Citizens Information Ireland:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/media/tv_licences.html

An Post:

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Personal+Customers/More+from+An+Post/TV+Licence/

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.