Rundfunkbeitrag: Broadcasting Fee
Mandatory fee of €18.36/month per household. Register on rundfunkbeitrag.de straight after your Anmeldung.
WHAT TO DO
What is it and when to do it?
The Rundfunkbeitrag is the mandatory licence fee for public broadcasting: €18.36 per month per household, regardless of whether you own a TV or radio. Register as soon as you receive your Meldebescheinigung — debt accumulates automatically from your move-in date, and reminder letters go to your registered address.
Where and how much does it cost?
Register online at rundfunkbeitrag.de in 5 minutes. If you’re moving in with someone who already pays for that household, simply provide their Beitragsnummer instead of registering — no double payment. Billing is quarterly (€55.08) by direct debit or bank transfer.
Common mistakes
Didn't register when I moved in, thought I'd get to it later. Two years on, received a letter with €440 in arrears plus late fees. The fee runs from move-in date — not from registration date.
Moved into a shared flat; the previous tenant said 'everything is paid'. He'd left Germany without deregistering — his debt sat with the apartment. Always register yourself and check your status on rundfunkbeitrag.de.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I have to pay even if I don't own a TV? ▾
Yes. The Rundfunkbeitrag is levied per household (Wohnung), not per device. A smartphone, laptop or tablet in your apartment also counts as a receiving device. Exemptions exist only for recipients of certain social benefits.
What if someone in our apartment already pays the fee? ▾
If you share a single dwelling (joint tenancy agreement, one front door), only one person pays. If you have a separate room on its own tenancy (WG-Zimmer as an independent Wohnung), you pay separately. The legal status of your contract is what counts.
How do I apply for an exemption (Befreiung)? ▾
You qualify if you receive ALG II, Sozialhilfe, Grundsicherung, BAföG or Asylbewerberleistungen. Apply on rundfunkbeitrag.de and attach the official benefit decision. The exemption applies from the first day of the month in which you apply — no refunds for previous months.