Check the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)

One home, one fee

For one home, the broadcasting fee is generally due only once. It does not matter how many people live there or whether a TV, radio, computer or any other receiving device is present.

• •The broadcasting fee is currently €18.36 per month and home.
• •Payment is usually made for several months at once. The amount actually debited or transferred can therefore be higher than the monthly amount.
• •So the first question is: does someone already pay for your home?
• •In Germany the broadcasting fee is paid per home. When you move in, find out whether someone already pays for the flat or whether you need to register it.

Does someone already pay for your home?

If you live with a partner, family, friends or in a shared flat, first check whether one person is already registered with the Beitragsservice for exactly this home.

Yes: someone already pays

Then, as a rule, no second broadcasting fee has to be paid for the same home.

• •Ask the paying person for their Beitragsnummer (contribution number).
• •If the Beitragsservice writes to you, you can use it to state that the fee for your home is already being paid.

No: nobody pays for this home yet

Then one person has to register the home with the Beitragsservice and take over the broadcasting fee.

What is the Beitragsnummer?

When a person registers a home with the Beitragsservice, they receive a personal contribution number (Beitragsnummer). Payments are assigned through this number.

• •The Beitragsnummer belongs to the person, not permanently to the home.
• •If the paying person moves out, they generally take their Beitragsnummer with them. It then has to be clarified who continues to pay for the previous home.

Were you registered before?

If you already have a contribution account and have only moved, do not open a new account too quickly. Instead check whether you need to change your address with the Beitragsservice.

Registration office and Beitragsservice are not the same

Registering your address at the Bürgeramt and sorting out the broadcasting fee are two different things.

• •The Beitragsservice receives registration data, but you should still check that your home is correctly assigned there.

Can you get an exemption?

Under certain conditions you can apply for an exemption or a reduction. It is not granted automatically.

• •certain social benefits
• •certain education or training grants
• •certain health-related conditions
• •Check the requirements with the Beitragsservice and submit an application if they apply to you.
• •In a shared home it can matter whether other adult residents are liable for the fee as well. So check the official rules if you live with others and want to apply for an exemption.

Do you have a second home?

If you already pay the broadcasting fee for your main home, an exemption can be possible on application for a registered secondary home.

What you should do now

• •Check whether someone already pays the broadcasting fee for your home.
• •If yes: ask the paying person for their Beitragsnummer.
• •If no: register the home with the Beitragsservice.
• •If you received a letter or an exemption might be possible: sort it out using the official forms.