Rundfunkbeitrag letters,
explained in English.
German broadcasting fee. The mandatory €18.36/month fee that surprises every expat.
What the Rundfunkbeitrag does
The Rundfunkbeitrag — administered by ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice — is the most-complained-about letter in any expat’s first year in Germany. Every household owes €18.36 per month, regardless of whether you own a TV, radio, or internet-connected device. The Beitragsservice receives your address from the Bürgeramt and starts sending letters within weeks of your Anmeldung.
How to recognise a Rundfunkbeitrag letter
Letters come from “ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice” with a Cologne return address. Your Beitragsnummer (subscriber number) appears prominently. Early letters request registration (Anmeldung zum Rundfunkbeitrag); later letters are payment reminders, Festsetzungsbescheide (formal fee assessments), or enforcement notices.
Key facts you should know
- The fee is €18.36 per month per household (2024–2025).
- One fee covers all adults at the same address — roommates and families share it.
- You cannot opt out, but you can apply for exemption (Befreiung) if you receive Bürgergeld, BAföG, or similar social benefits.
- Students in shared flats often qualify for exemption — one designated person pays, others can be exempted.
- Unpaid fees are enforced via the Gerichtsvollzieher (bailiff) and can freeze bank accounts.
How to respond
- Confirm your address and Beitragsnummer on the letter.
- Register promptly when you receive the first Anmeldung letter — you can set up a direct debit (SEPA-Lastschrift).
- If you qualify for exemption, submit the Befreiungsantrag with proof of benefits.
- If you share a household, only one person pays — inform the Beitragsservice of the household structure.
- Pay reminders promptly; Vollstreckungsbescheide are very hard to reverse.
Common letters from the Rundfunkbeitrag
Frequently asked questions
I just moved to Germany. Why am I getting this letter?
Your Anmeldung automatically triggered a notification to the Beitragsservice. Every household must register and pay the Rundfunkbeitrag — typically within a few weeks of your Anmeldung.
Can I cancel the Rundfunkbeitrag?
No. The fee is mandatory under the Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag. You can only be exempted if you receive qualifying social benefits, or you can be deregistered if you leave Germany or live in a household where someone else pays.
I live in a shared flat. Do we all pay separately?
No. One household = one Rundfunkbeitrag. One flatmate pays, and the others can apply to be deregistered by citing the paying person’s Beitragsnummer.
Can Aplet help me decipher a Festsetzungsbescheid?
Yes. A Festsetzungsbescheid is a formal assessment for unpaid fees and includes a late fee (Säumniszuschlag). Aplet explains exactly what you owe, by when, and how to stop further enforcement.
What if I never watched any German TV?
It makes no difference. The fee is not tied to actual use. It funds public broadcasters (ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio) and is payable by every household.