German TV tax (Rundfunkbeitrag) — do I really have to pay?

You've just arrived in Germany, got a flat, and suddenly a letter arrives: 18.36 € a month for something you never ordered. That's the Rundfunkbeitrag, the broadcasting fee. Yes, almost every household has to pay. No, you can't get out of it by claiming you don't own a TV.

Who's sending me this?

The ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice (formerly GEZ). A shared office of Germany's public broadcasters. They automatically get your address from the residents' registration office — the moment you register your address, they know you exist.

The letter looks official and hard to miss. Usually contains:

• Confirmation that you're now registered as a fee payer.
• A request to set up SEPA direct debit.
• Or: a reminder if you haven't paid on time.

Who has to pay, and who doesn't?

The rule is simple: every flat pays once. Doesn't matter how many people live there, whether anyone owns a TV, or whether you only stream. Even student flat-shares pay — but only once per flat, not per room.

Full exemption

• Recipients of Bürgergeld, social assistance, BAföG.
• Recipients of asylum-seeker benefits.
• Deaf-blind people.
• Recipients of blind assistance.

Reduced to one third (€6.12/month)

• People with severe visual or hearing impairment, or disability rating ≥80 (with the RF mark on the disability ID).

When you pay nothing at all, no formal application needed

• You live in a flat where someone else already pays the fee (WG, family, sublet).
• You live in shared accommodation, a care home, or asylum-seeker housing (the operator pays).

How an exemption is typically applied for

Apply online at rundfunkbeitrag.de or by post. You need:

• The filled-out exemption form (available on the website).
• A copy of your Bürgergeld, BAföG or social benefit notice as proof.
• For shared flats: confirmation from the paying flatmate, including their fee number.

The exemption applies retroactively from the day you became eligible — important if you're applying late.

Things to consider when leaving Germany

This is where the most common mistakes happen. If you move, leave the country, or give up the flat, you typically need to deregister actively. Otherwise the fee keeps running and debt piles up.

1. Fill out the “Abmeldung“ (deregistration) form on rundfunkbeitrag.de.
2. Upload proof: deregistration from the residents' office, new tenancy agreement, or flight ticket if emigrating.
3. Wait for confirmation — usually 2–4 weeks.

Without this deregistration, letters go to your old address, you don't notice anything, and a year later you have €220 of debt plus reminder fees.

What can typically happen if it is not paid

• First reminder after a few weeks.
• Festsetzungsbescheid — the Beitragsservice officially fixes the amount. From here you have 1 month to object.
• Enforcement notice: bailiff, account garnishment. Works just like any other public debt.
• SCHUFA entry is possible — affects your credit standing (renting flats, phone contracts, loans).

Unlike the Finanzamt there's no monthly surcharge, but reminder and enforcement fees add up fast.