What should your music licence actually cost?
Most guides tell you it “depends”. This works it out. Enter your setup and we'll estimate the correct figure straight from the published 2026 PPL & PRS tariffs, then, if you like, check it against what you're actually being billed.
- Audible area recorded as about 80m², and only where customers can hear music
- No first-year higher rate or 50% surcharge, unless this is your first licence year
Four or more sites? Free estate review. Not licensed yet? We'll set it up, from £199. Not sure? Book a free call.
Indicative estimate from published 2026 PPL & PRS tariffs, ex-VAT, background music only. Rates re-index annually; your exact figure depends on your account. Not affiliated with PPL PRS Ltd, PPL or PRS for Music.
Pubs and restaurants: what the estimate covers
PPL background music: one annual fee for the whole premises, based on the total customer-audible area (PPLPP210).
PRS background music: Tariff P on the combined bar area, and Tariff HR for each restaurant or dining room by its seats.
Live music: the Tariff P standard rate for free-entry sessions, shown per session and per year.
Common questions
How much is a music licence for a pub or restaurant in 2026?
It depends on the total audible area, the combined bar area, the seats in each dining room, how the music is played and any live music. Choose the pub or restaurant option above to combine the published 2026 PPL and PRS figures into an indicative annual estimate before VAT.
Is the bar area the same as the total audible area?
No. PPL's PPLPP210 uses the total area where customers can hear recorded music across the whole premises. PRS Tariff P uses the combined floor area of all bars, excluding counters and the serving areas behind them.
Does a restaurant pay per dining room?
PRS Tariff HR charges background music in restaurants and dining rooms per room, based on seats. PPL background music is charged once for the whole premises by total audible area.
Is there a PPL fee for live bands?
There is no PPL charge for the live performers themselves. PRS Tariff P charges each live music session, from £14.64 (standard, ex-VAT) for a free-entry session with a capacity up to 100. Recorded music played before, after or between sets may still need PPL cover.
Get told when the rates change
PPL and PRS re-index their tariffs every year. Leave your email and we'll let you know when the main rates change (January and July), with a reminder to check your invoice. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe any time.