Expat guide
Rundfunkbeitrag in Germany: Complete Guide for Expats
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Every household in Germany pays the Rundfunkbeitrag (TV/radio fee) — €18.36/month in 2026 whether or not you own a TV. Register, pay online, apply for exemptions, or deregister when you leave.
What Is the Rundfunkbeitrag (TV/Radio Tax) in Germany?
The Rundfunkbeitrag — often called GEZ in everyday speech — is a mandatory household broadcasting fee that funds public broadcasters ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio. Since 2013 it applies per Wohnung (household), not per device.
| Rundfunkbeitrag (today) | Old GEZ system | |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | One fee per household | Fee tied to devices |
| If you own no TV | Still pay | Could avoid in some cases |
| 2026 standard rate | €18.36/month | — |
| Collection agency | ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice | Former GEZ |
Expats often search for “TV tax” or “radio tax Germany” — this is the same obligation. It sits in the Just Arrived path after Anmeldung and alongside bank account setup.
Who Has to Pay the Rundfunkbeitrag?
| Situation | Usually pay? |
|---|---|
| Registered address in Germany (Anmeldung) | Yes — one fee per household |
| WG / shared flat | One payment for the whole flat |
| Student without BAföG | Usually yes |
| BAföG or Bürgergeld recipient | May qualify for Befreiung (exemption) |
| Second home in Germany | Separate rules — often one main residence only |
| Leaving Germany (Abmeldung) | Cancel after deregistration |
Being a foreigner, not speaking German, or not watching German channels are not valid exemption reasons on their own.
How Much Is the Rundfunkbeitrag in 2026?
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly rate | €18.36 |
| Quarterly bill | €55.08 (Feb, May, Aug, Nov) |
| Annual total | €220.32 |
| Reduced rate (if eligible) | €6.12/month |
| Late fee (Säumniszuschlag) | Often €8 per missed instalment |
Payment methods: SEPA direct debit (Lastschrift) — recommended — or bank transfer with your Beitragsnummer as reference.
How to Register and Pay Online
You typically do not need to wait for a letter — registration is your responsibility after Anmeldung.
- Go to rundfunkbeitrag.de → Anmelden (register)
- Enter name, address, and move-in date (can be charged retroactively from move-in)
- Choose SEPA Lastschrift or transfer
- Save your Beitragsnummer — needed for address changes and cancellation
- First payment usually starts from your registration month or move-in month
After Anmeldung: the Bürgeramt often shares your address with the Beitragsservice. Expect a letter in 2–6 weeks — but register proactively if nothing arrives.
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Exemptions and Reduced Rates (Befreiung / Ermäßigung)
Full exemption (Befreiung) — common cases
- Bürgergeld (formerly Hartz IV) recipients
- BAföG recipients (students on government aid)
- Grundsicherung im Alter (basic pension support)
- Residents of certain care facilities
- Asylum seekers in shared accommodation (case-dependent)
Apply via the official form on rundfunkbeitrag.de with proof of benefits.
Reduced rate — €6.12/month
- GdB (degree of disability) 80+ with RF marker in the disability pass
Not valid reasons
- Not owning a TV or radio
- Only using Netflix/YouTube in English
- Disagreeing with public broadcasting politically
- Being an expat / tourist mindset
Living in a WG (Shared Flat)
Only one Beitrag applies per household:
- If a flatmate already pays, notify the Beitragsservice that the address is covered
- If you are first to register at a new address, you receive the letter — split costs informally with flatmates
- Moving between rooms in the same flat usually does not require a second registration
How to Deregister When Leaving Germany
- Complete Abmeldung at the Bürgeramt (see Anmeldung guide — deregistration section)
- Cancel at rundfunkbeitrag.de or by post with Abmeldung proof
- Keep confirmation — billing may continue until processed
Do this before your departure date when possible to avoid retroactive demands.
What Happens If You Don't Pay?
The Beitragsservice typically escalates:
- Payment reminder (Zahlungserinnerung)
- Formal demand (Mahnung) + €8 Säumniszuschlag
- Enforcement notice (Festsetzungsbescheid) — legally enforceable debt
- Vollstreckung — in serious cases: wage garnishment, account freeze, bailiff
Even if you dispute the fee, you may still need to pay while a Widerspruch (objection) or court case is pending. Do not ignore letters.
Rundfunkbeitrag vs Other Household Bills
| Bill | Mandatory? | Tied to Anmeldung? |
|---|---|---|
| Rundfunkbeitrag | Yes (per household) | Address shared after Anmeldung |
| GEZ (old name) | Same obligation | Colloquial term only |
| Electricity / gas | Contract-based | Separate provider contracts |
| Health insurance | Yes for residents | Separate registration |
Rundfunkbeitrag FAQs
What is the Rundfunkbeitrag (GEZ) in Germany?
The Rundfunkbeitrag is a mandatory household broadcasting fee that funds public broadcasters ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio. It replaced the old GEZ device fee — you pay per household, not per TV or radio. In 2026 the standard rate is €18.36 per month (€55.08 per quarter).
Do I have to pay even if I don't watch German TV?
In most cases, yes. It is a per-household fee, not a usage fee. Not owning a TV, only streaming in English, or being a foreigner are not valid exemption reasons on their own. Specific social or disability criteria may qualify for Befreiung or Ermäßigung.
How do I pay the Rundfunkbeitrag online?
Register at rundfunkbeitrag.de with your name, address, and move-in date. Set up SEPA Lastschrift (direct debit) — the most common option — or pay quarterly by bank transfer using the reference on your Beitragsbescheid. Save your Beitragsnummer for future changes.
How much is the TV tax in Germany in 2026?
The standard Rundfunkbeitrag is €18.36 per month, billed quarterly as €55.08. A reduced rate of €6.12 per month may apply in specific disability cases (GdB 80+ with RF marker). Full exemptions exist for some benefit recipients — see the official exemption form.
How did they get my address after Anmeldung?
After address registration (Anmeldung), municipalities typically share data with the Beitragsservice under the Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag. You often receive a letter within 2–6 weeks. If no letter arrives, you are still generally required to register proactively.
I live in a WG — do we each pay?
No. Only one Beitrag applies per household (Wohnung). One flatmate registers and pays; others can notify the Beitragsservice that the address is already covered. Agree internally on splitting the cost.
How do I deregister the Rundfunkbeitrag when leaving Germany?
Complete Abmeldung at the Bürgeramt first, then cancel online at rundfunkbeitrag.de or by post. You typically need proof of deregistration. Do this promptly — fees may continue until the Beitragsservice processes your cancellation.
What happens if I don't pay?
The Beitragsservice usually sends reminders, then formal demands with late fees (Säumniszuschlag). Persistent non-payment may be passed to enforcement authorities who can garnish wages or freeze bank accounts in serious cases. Ignoring letters tends to make the situation worse — pay or apply for exemption if eligible.
Can I get an exemption as a student?
BAföG recipients may qualify for full exemption (Befreiung). Students without BAföG typically pay the standard fee unless another exemption applies. Check the official exemption form on rundfunkbeitrag.de — being a student alone is not usually enough.
Is Rundfunkbeitrag the same as GEZ?
Colloquially people still say GEZ, but the system changed in 2013 to a flat household fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) regardless of devices. The collection service is now the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice.
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