- The fee is €18.36 a month per household in 2026, not per person.
- You pay it even if you have no TV or radio.
- In a shared flat, one person registers and the others give the contribution number.
- Students with BAföG and some benefit recipients can apply for an exemption.
A few weeks after your Anmeldung, a letter arrives asking you to pay the Rundfunkbeitrag. Many newcomers think it is a scam. It isn't. It is the broadcasting contribution that funds public TV and radio.
What it is and how much
The fee is set by law and collected by the Beitragsservice. It is per flat, so a couple or a shared flat pays once.
How to register or share
- Check if someone in your flat already pays. Ask your flatmates for the contribution number (Beitragsnummer).
- If nobody pays, register online. Registration takes a few minutes on the official site.
- If someone pays, report that. Answer the letter with their contribution number so you are not charged twice.
Who can be exempt
- Students who receive BAföG and do not live with their parents.
- People receiving certain social benefits.
- People with some disabilities can get a reduction.
Most international students and workers are not exempt, because they don't receive these benefits.
When you move or leave Germany
Deregister when you leave Germany or move into a flat where someone already pays. Unpaid fees don't disappear and can lead to enforcement letters.
Common questions
Is the Rundfunkbeitrag a tax?
It is a legally required contribution, not a tax, but you must pay it.
Do I pay in a student dorm?
Usually each room with its own door to a corridor counts as a household. Check your dorm's rules.
Can I pay monthly?
The standard is every three months; other intervals are possible on request.
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