The Rundfunkbeitrag is a compulsory monthly household fee of €18.36 that funds Germany's public broadcasting (ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio). It applies to every household in Germany, regardless of whether you own a TV, a radio, or watch any public content. It is not optional.
Who Must Pay
Every household pays one fee, regardless of how many adults live there or what devices you own. "Household" means your apartment. If you live in a student dorm (Studentenwohnheim) and have your own private room with its own kitchen and bathroom, you pay individually. If you share a flat and the flat is registered as one household at the Rundfunk Beitragsservice, only one contribution is due for the whole flat — one flatmate registers and pays, the others are exempt as co-residents.
Who Is Exempt
- Recipients of BAföG (student financial aid) — submit your current BAföG notice to get exemption
- Recipients of Bürgergeld (social welfare benefit)
- Severely disabled people with a GdB (degree of disability) of 80+
- People receiving Grundsicherung im Alter (basic pension support)
BAföG recipients: apply for exemption (Befreiung) at rundfunkbeitrag.de. Attach your BAföG Bescheid (notification letter). The exemption is time-limited and must be renewed each academic year when your BAföG is renewed.
How to Register
Go to rundfunkbeitrag.de and click "Anmelden." You'll need your German address. The system assigns you a Beitragsnummer (contribution number). Payment is due quarterly and can be set up as a SEPA direct debit (Lastschriftmandat) — the easiest option. If you don't register yourself, you will eventually be registered automatically through data shared with municipal registration offices (Einwohnermeldeamt). The consequence of not registering is retroactive billing plus potential fines.
Shared Flats (WG)
In a WG (Wohngemeinschaft), the Rundfunkbeitrag is due once per flat, not per person. Typically one person registers and the flatmates split the cost informally. €18.36 divided by three people is €6.12 each per month. If you move into a flat where someone already pays, ask for their Beitragsnummer to confirm the flat is already covered.
Moving
When you move to a new address, update your address at rundfunkbeitrag.de. The fee continues uninterrupted. When you move out of Germany, you can cancel (abmelden) — keep proof of your departure (flight ticket, de-registration certificate from the Einwohnermeldeamt) as the Beitragsservice may ask for evidence.
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