What is Rundfunkbeitrag?
Rundfunkbeitrag (pronounced roughly: "ROON-dfoonk-by-trag") is Germany's mandatory public broadcasting contribution. Every household in Germany pays €18.36 per month (as of 2024) to the Beitragsservice — the collection body for ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio, and regional public broadcasters.
It is often referred to as GEZ after the old collection authority (Gebühreneinzugszentrale), though that name was officially replaced by "Beitragsservice" in 2013. You will still hear Germans call it "GEZ" colloquially.
Key point: the fee is per household, not per person and not per device. You pay whether or not you own a television, radio, or any device capable of receiving broadcast content. The contribution funds public broadcasting infrastructure — it is treated as a civic obligation for anyone who maintains a household in Germany.
The fee is €18.36/month, typically billed quarterly (€55.08 every three months). You receive a Beitragsnummer (contribution number) after registering, which you use for all future correspondence.
Who has to pay — and who is exempt
Anyone who maintains a private household in Germany must pay Rundfunkbeitrag. This includes:
- German nationals
- EU citizens
- Non-EU expats on any residence permit
- Students (if they have their own apartment — see shared apartments section below)
- Anyone renting a room as their primary residence
You do not need to pay if your household already pays — for example, if you move into a shared apartment where another flatmate already has a registered Beitragsnummer, the household is covered.
Exemption categories (Befreiung):
The following people can apply to be fully exempt from Rundfunkbeitrag:
- ALG II / Bürgergeld recipients — social welfare payments
- BAföG recipients (full amount) — students receiving the full student funding grant
- Grundsicherung im Alter — basic income support for the elderly
- People with certain severe disabilities — specifically those who are blind (Blindheit) or deaf (Taubheit). A GdB (degree of disability) of 80 or above does not automatically qualify; the nature of the disability matters.
- Asylum seekers receiving social welfare under the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz
To apply for an exemption, submit a request at rundfunkbeitrag.de with proof of your entitlement (e.g. your ALG II decision letter or BAföG certificate).
Shared apartments (WGs): who pays?
In a Wohngemeinschaft (shared apartment), only one Rundfunkbeitrag per apartment is required — not one per person. If you share a flat with two other people, all three of you are covered by a single €18.36/month contribution.
Practical steps for WGs:
- Check with your flatmates whether anyone already has a registered Beitragsnummer for the apartment. If yes, no action needed — you are already covered.
- If no one is registered yet, one person should register and become the primary payer.
- The other flatmates can optionally co-register (Beitragsgemeinschaft) so that costs can be split formally, but this is optional.
Common mistake: multiple flatmates each registering independently. This results in duplicate payments. Only one registration per apartment address is needed.
If you move out of a WG, you are no longer covered by the existing contribution. If you then move into your own apartment, you must register a new Beitragsnummer for your new address.
How to register with the Beitragsservice
Registration takes around 5 minutes online at rundfunkbeitrag.de. You will need:
- Your full name
- Your address in Germany (this must match your registered address from Anmeldung)
- Your IBAN (for direct debit — the most common payment method)
- Your email address (optional, but useful for correspondence)
After submitting the form, you will receive a confirmation letter by post with your Beitragsnummer. Keep this number — you will need it if you ever need to apply for an exemption, change your payment method, or cancel.
When to register: as soon as you move into your apartment. In practice, the Beitragsservice is also notified automatically by the Einwohnermeldeamt (registration office) when you complete your Anmeldung. They will contact you if you have not registered. Registering proactively avoids any unexpected letters.
Payment options: direct debit (SEPA-Lastschrift) is the standard and most convenient method. Payments are collected quarterly. You can also pay by bank transfer, though this requires manual payments every three months.
What happens if you do not register
The Beitragsservice has access to Einwohnermeldeamt (registration office) data. When you complete your Anmeldung, the Beitragsservice is automatically notified of your new household. If no Beitragsnummer is registered for your address, they will send you a letter requesting registration.
If you ignore the letters, the Beitragsservice can:
- Calculate retroactive fees from the date you moved in (not from when they first contacted you)
- Add late payment fees (Säumniszuschläge) — typically 8% above the base interest rate
- Escalate to debt collection (Inkasso) or the court enforcement authority (Gerichtsvollzieher)
Retroactive charges for a year of non-payment can reach several hundred euros. Registering proactively costs nothing extra and avoids the stress of chasing letters.
If you receive a letter asking you to register: respond promptly, either by registering online or by providing your existing Beitragsnummer if your household is already covered.
Cancelling when you leave Germany
When you leave Germany permanently, you can cancel your Rundfunkbeitrag contribution online at rundfunkbeitrag.de. You will need your Beitragsnummer and the date you are leaving.
Steps:
- Go to rundfunkbeitrag.de → "Abmelden" (deregister)
- Enter your Beitragsnummer
- Provide your move-out date and the reason (Wegzug ins Ausland — moving abroad)
- Submit proof if requested (though usually not required for international moves)
Your obligation ends on the last day of the month in which you leave. Any prepaid amounts (if you paid quarterly in advance) are refunded.
Tip: cancel around the same time you complete your Abmeldung (de-registration of your address). The two processes are separate — cancelling your Anmeldung does not automatically cancel your Rundfunkbeitrag.