Broadcasting contribution (Rundfunkbeitrag)

1. What is Rundfunkbeitrag?

Since the creation of the Federal Republic, a public broadcasting service has existed. Since then, broadcast fees have gone from two D-Marks to the current 18.36 euros. The GEZ (Gebühreneinzugszentrale: collection center for public broadcasting fees in the Federal Republic of Germany) was abolished on December 31, 2012. Starting January 1, 2013, the former TV and radio fee, Rundfunkgebühr, has been called Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcast contribution).

In 2009, the fee was 17.98 euros. After the reform, the contribution decreased for the first time and became 17.50 euros in April 2015.

The fees are always mandatory — the number of devices used and for what purpose doesn't matter: one apartment equals one contribution. It doesn't matter how many people live in the apartment or how many TVs, radios, and computers there are. The fees are the same for students, residents, expats, and locals — everyone pays the same amount. You can choose the payment frequency and pay either 55.08 euros per quarter, 110.16 euros per semester, or 220.32 euros per year.

2. How to Make the Most of Your Rundfunkbeitrag

There are different opinions on the necessity of Rundfunkbeitrag — after all, nobody likes extra fees. While some support the mandatory fee even for people who don't own a TV, don't watch or listen to public channels, others wonder how Rundfunkbeitrag can support quality journalism that generally remains ad-free. In the end, it's not a choice, unfortunately, so we recommend making the most of it: listen to or watch public programs in German to improve your German skills and better understand what makes the country tick.

Here are some useful online tips and tricks to get started:

Don't have a TV? No problem, you can watch public channels for free online. For example, on ZDF's online Mediathek. Many young people enjoy a late-night satire show called NEOMAGAZIN ROYALE — maybe you'd like to try it? But if you prefer documentaries, another program called Terra X will interest you. You can watch both here.

Do you prefer listening rather than watching? Deutschlandfunk Nova also targets young people and covers all kinds of topics ranging from media and politics to music and science. They also have a lot of podcast programs. You can listen to them here.

Want to keep up with German news? ARD offers the free Tagesschau app with the very latest news from international topics to local news in the federal state where you live. You can download it here for iPhones and here for Android phones.

Are you a beginner in German? Take the easy route and start with German children's TV, which features easier content and language levels. You can watch it here.

3. How to Pay Rundfunkbeitrag?

3.1. No Extra Fee for Car Radio in Private Cars

The broadcast contribution also covers the radio in your car. You don't need to pay extra for that.

In the commercial sector, it's different. Car rental companies have to pay contributions for radios in their rental cars. This obligation was confirmed by the Federal Constitutional Court.

3.2. Do Visually and Hearing Impaired People Have to Pay a Broadcast Contribution?

Deaf-blind people and those receiving benefits for the blind are completely exempt from the contribution. Permanent residents of nursing homes and care facilities are also exempt.

If you have a disabled person's pass with the RF indicator, your fees will be lower. This includes people who can't attend public events due to their disability, as well as visually and hearing impaired people. Before the end of 2012, these people were exempt from the license fee. Since April 2015, they must pay one-third of the regular contribution: 5.83 euros/month or 70 euros/year.

3.3. Who Are the People Exempted from the Contribution for Social Reasons?

If you're a recipient of certain social benefits, like basic security benefits for job seekers (Grundsicherung) or unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld II), you can be exempted from the broadcast contribution. You can fill out the exemption application or request a reduction on the Contribution Service website.

You must then print the completed form and send it with proof of benefits to: ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragservice 50656 Cologne

If you're in a couple or registered as partners, if one of you is exempted from the fee, the other doesn't need to pay.

Even those receiving student loans (BAföG = Federal Training Assistance Act) or vocational training scholarships can be exempted from the broadcast contribution.

If you live in an apartment with someone who is exempted from the contribution fee because they receive BAföG, the other roommates still have to pay the fees.

3.4. How to Pay?

As already mentioned, the fees are billed per household, so if you live in student housing with eight people, it makes sense to split the bill.

You've been in Germany for a few months and haven't received a letter yet? Maybe you don't speak German well enough yet?

Follow these steps precisely to get everything sorted:

1. Follow this link to the Rundfunkbeitrag homepage.
2. Select "Wohnung anmelden" (Register a residence).
3. Fill in all your details in the form (name, address, date of birth, contact details).
4. Check "Nein" (No) where it says "Sie sind bereits mit einer Wohnung angemeldet?" (Are you already registered for an apartment?).
5. Click "Weiter" (Continue).
6. Check "Nein" (No) where it says "abweichende Adresse" (different address).
7. Fill in "Anmeldung zu" (register from) with the month and year for which you're registering the apartment.
8. Specify your payment frequency.

• The 15th, every three months
• The 1st, every three months (January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, October 1st)
• The 1st, every six months (January 1st, July 1st)
• The 1st, every year (January 1st)

1. No matter which you choose, the total amount will be the same. But you can choose to pay in installments throughout the year.
2. Next, choose your payment method.

• You can pay by direct debit (Lastschrift). This is by far the simplest method. You just need to enter your bank details and a recurring payment will be made at the appropriate times.
• You can also pay by bank transfer (Überweisung). For this option, you also need to enter your bank details, but you'll have to transfer the money manually every X months.

1. Click "Weiter" (Continue).
2. Check everything before confirming. Make sure all the information you entered is correct.
3. Check "Datenschutz" (data protection) and type what you see in the Captcha image (random numbers you see in the image).
4. Click "Anmelden" (Register).

And that's it, you're done! Now, collect the money from your roommates and watch TV!

3.5. Does Your Landlord Pay the Fees?

If you're in an Airbnb or temporary residence and your landlord manages your service fees, you'll have nothing to pay. The broadcast contribution is per household, not per person.

But you might need to prove that this is your current situation. You'll need to get the Beitragsnummer (contribution number) from your landlord. With this document, you'll have proof that you live in an apartment where the landlord already pays the fees.

You can find where to submit your proof here.

If you move in with your parents or to another place, don't forget to register within a month.

3.6. What If You Don't Pay?

You should know that missed payments don't just go away. When you get letters to pay, the total amount you need to settle will include all missed payments.

At first, you'll get a lot of letters to register. If you don't respond, it will lead to forced registration and they'll assign you a file number. Then, demand letters will follow the registration letters. Generally, these will include late fees that increase if you don't pay on time.

After that, your file will be handed over to a collection agency that will handle settling your debt.

If it comes to that — and I hope it doesn't for you — bailiffs can be sent to your home. They can seize your bank accounts and take everything that's owed to them, including the administrative fees they incurred to recover their money.

If you plan to stay in Germany or live there after your studies, it's better to pay in any case. The payment is mandatory for all residents. If you don't pay your contributions, it can affect your SCHUFA score, which will impact your chances for a credit card or bank loan application.

You can find a great forum with more info here.

3.7. How to Stop Paying the Broadcast Contribution?

It's important not to forget to cancel your registration when you leave Germany, otherwise you'll keep paying for services you're not using. Deregister (Abmelden) and you won't have to pay the broadcast contribution after you leave. No problem, if you've left the country, you don't have to pay anymore, right?

Well, it's not rare for people to leave Germany without deregistering first. And when they come back after a few years, they find themselves with all the debts they've accumulated.

You can cancel your registration online on this page.