Rundfunkbeitrag in English: How the German TV Licence Works (and How to Avoid Overpaying)

The Rundfunkbeitrag is Germany's public broadcasting licence fee — not a TV tax, not a subscription, and not optional for most people. Every household pays €18.36 per month (as of 2025), regardless of whether you own a TV, radio, or streaming device.

For expats, the letters from ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice are often the first piece of German bureaucracy that arrives unannounced. This guide explains what it is, who must pay, how to register properly, and the limited exemptions available.

What it actually is

The Rundfunkbeitrag funds public broadcasting in Germany: ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio, and regional public broadcasters. It replaced the old "GEZ" system in 2013 and is now charged per household, not per device or per person.

Key rule: One flat fee per flat (Wohnung). A couple pays the same as a single person. Students in shared flats can sometimes reduce or split it.

Who must pay

You must register and pay if:

• You are the main tenant or owner of a flat in Germany
• You have your own kitchen and bathroom (separate living unit)
• You are 18 or older
• You live in Germany for more than three months (short tourist stays are exempt)

You do not need to pay if you are:

• A secondary resident (Zweitwohnsitz) who already pays at your main residence — but you must prove this
• Receiving Bafög, ALG II, Grundsicherung, or asylum seekers' benefits
• Blind or severely disabled with a valid ID card (GdB of 80 or higher)
• Living in a care home, hospital, or sheltered housing where the institution pays

The registration process

Technically, you should register within 14 days of moving in. In practice, Beitragsservice often finds you first through the Melderegister (population register) and sends you a letter with a Beitragsnummer.

To register online:

1. Go to rundfunkbeitrag.de
2. Click "Anmelden" and fill in your address
3. Provide your IBAN for direct debit
4. Save the confirmation

If you receive a letter first:

• The letter contains your Beitragsnummer and a deadline
• Register using that number — do not ignore it
• If you already registered at a previous address, update your address instead of creating a new account

How to reduce or share the fee

Students in shared flats

If you live in a Wohngemeinschaft (WG) with a shared kitchen and bathroom, one person can register as the Zahler (payer) and split the cost with flatmates. Everyone else should register as Mitbewohner at the same address so they are not billed separately.

Do this early. If three flatmates all register independently, the system will bill three households until someone corrects it.

Severe disability exemption

Apply with your Schwerbehindertenausweis showing GdB 80 or higher. The exemption is usually granted quickly.

Low-income exemption

If you receive social benefits, apply for exemption by uploading your Bescheid (decision letter) through the online portal. This can take several weeks to process.

What the letters mean

"Anmeldung zur Rundfunkbeitrag" — You need to register. Do it online.

"Beitragsbescheid" — Your monthly bill or quarterly summary. Check the amount and the payment dates.

"Mahnung" — Reminder that payment is late. Pay immediately. The Beitragsservice can escalate to a Vollstreckungsbescheid (enforcement order), which adds fees and can be executed by a bailiff.

"Ummeldung" — You moved. Update your address.

"Abmeldung" — You moved abroad or to a household that already pays. Submit proof if required.

What happens if you ignore it

• Late payment fees and interest
• Enforcement orders (Vollstreckungsbescheid)
• Bailiff visits and account seizures
• No criminal record, but significant financial hassle

The Beitragsservice is legally empowered to enforce this. Ignoring it does not make it go away.

How to cancel

If you leave Germany permanently, deregister with Beitragsservice just like you do with the Bürgeramt. You will need:

• Your Abmeldebescheinigung from the Bürgeramt, or
• Proof of residence abroad (Anmeldung in another country, rental contract, or employment contract)

Submit this through the online portal. The cancellation is usually processed within a few weeks.

Quick reference

Bottom line

The Rundfunkbeitrag is unavoidable for most residents, but it is also straightforward once you understand the system. Register promptly, claim any exemption you qualify for, and keep your address updated when you move. The letters look scarier than the actual process.