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Expat guide

Rundfunkbeitrag in Germany: Complete Guide for Expats

Every household in Germany must pay €18.36/month for public broadcasting — regardless of whether you own a TV or radio. Here's how to register, pay, and apply for exemptions.

6 min read·Verified & sourced

Overview

The Rundfunkbeitrag (formerly known as GEZ) is a mandatory broadcasting fee of €18.36 per month (€220.32/year) charged to every household in Germany. It funds public broadcasters ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandfunk.

Unlike a TV licence, you pay whether or not you own a TV, radio, computer, or smartphone. It's a household fee, not a device fee.

How you get registered

You don't need to actively sign up. After your Anmeldung, the Bürgeramt automatically shares your new address with the Beitragsservice (the collection agency for the fee). You'll receive a letter within 2–6 weeks asking you to register.

If you don't receive a letter, you're still required to register. Go to rundfunkbeitrag.de and register online.

How much and how to pay

Recommended: Set up SEPA Lastschrift (direct debit) so you never miss a payment. You can do this online at rundfunkbeitrag.de.

Who is exempt?

You can apply for a Befreiung (full exemption) or Ermäßigung (reduction to €6.12/month) if you meet specific criteria:

Full exemption

• Recipients of Bürgergeld (formerly Hartz IV)
• BAföG recipients (students receiving government aid)
• Recipients of Grundsicherung im Alter (basic pension support)
• Residents of nursing homes or care facilities
• Asylum seekers in shared accommodation

Reduced rate (€6.12/month)

• People with a disability degree (GdB) of 80+ with RF marker in their disability pass

NOT valid exemption reasons

• Being a foreigner
• Not speaking German
• Not owning a TV
• Not watching German channels
• Finding it too expensive

What happens if you don't pay

The Beitragsservice does not give up. Here's the escalation:

1. Payment reminder (Zahlungserinnerung) — friendly tone
2. Formal demand (Mahnung) — adds late fees (€8 Säumniszuschlag)
3. Enforcement notice (Festsetzungsbescheid) — now a legal debt
4. Debt enforcement (Vollstreckung) — passed to city authorities who can:
   • Garnish your wages (Lohnpfändung)
   • Freeze your bank account (Kontopfändung)
   • Send a bailiff (Gerichtsvollzieher)
   • In extreme cases, issue an arrest warrant (Erzwingungshaft)

Do not ignore Rundfunkbeitrag letters. Even if you disagree with the fee, you must pay while any Widerspruch (objection) or court case is ongoing.

Living in a WG (shared flat)

Only one person per household needs to pay. If you move into a WG where a flatmate already has a Beitragsnummer and pays, you can inform the Beitragsservice that you live at an address where the fee is already being paid.

If you're the first to register at a new address, you'll be the one who receives the letter. Agree with your flatmates to split the cost.

How to register

1. Receive the letter from Beitragsservice (or go to rundfunkbeitrag.de)
2. Fill in your details: name, address, move-in date
3. Choose payment method (SEPA recommended)
4. Receive your Beitragsnummer — save this for future correspondence
5. Payments begin from the month you moved in (can be retroactive)

Checklist

Tips for expats

• Don't ignore the letters — they escalate fast and the debt is legally enforceable
• Register proactively if you haven't received a letter within 2 months of Anmeldung
• Moving? Update your address online. If you move in with someone who already pays, you can deregister
• Leaving Germany? Deregister (Abmeldung) at the Bürgeramt and then cancel your Rundfunkbeitrag online — you'll need proof of Abmeldung

Frequently asked questions

?Do I have to pay even if I don't watch German TV?

Yes. The Rundfunkbeitrag is a per-household fee, not a per-device fee. It doesn't matter if you own a TV, radio, or even a smartphone. Every registered household pays. It funds ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandfunk.

?What happens if I don't pay?

You'll receive increasingly urgent reminder letters (Mahnungen). After several months of non-payment, the debt is passed to the Vollstreckungsbehörde (enforcement authority) which can garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or in extreme cases, issue an arrest warrant. Ignoring it does not make it go away.

?Can I get an exemption?

Yes, but only in specific circumstances: if you receive social benefits (Bürgergeld, BAföG, Grundsicherung), have a disability (Grad der Behinderung 80+ with RF marker), or live in a care home. Being a foreigner or not speaking German is NOT a valid exemption reason.

?I live in a WG (shared flat). Do we each pay?

No. Only ONE person per household pays the €18.36/month. In a WG, one flatmate registers and pays — then you split the cost informally. If you move into a WG where someone already pays, you don't need to register separately for that address.

?How did they get my address?

When you do your Anmeldung (address registration), the Bürgeramt shares your data with the Beitragsservice. This is legal under the Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag. You'll typically receive your first letter 2–6 weeks after registering your address.