Rundfunkbeitrag: All You Need to Know About TV and Radio Tax In Germany
This page provides an overview of TV and Radio Tax in Germany, known locally as the Rundfunkbeitrag. We detail what TV and Radio Tax is and when and how to pay these broadcasting contributions while living in Germany
What is the Rundfunkbeitrag (TV and Radio Tax)?
Every household in Germany is required to pay a broadcasting contribution (Rundfunkbeitrag), which is effectively a TV and Radio Tax to fund Germany's public channels.
As the authorities are able to access details about when and where you registered your address (Anmeldung), you will receive a letter in the post requesting that you register for the license fee contributions.
Much to the annoyance of many expats living in Germany, the Rundfunkbeitrag (TV and Radio Tax) is compulsory even if you don't have a TV or radio or use any public service broadcasting channels.
How much is the Rundfunkbeitrag (TV and Radio Tax)?
Thankfully, the Rundfunkbeitrag tax is charged per household rather than per person, meaning the financial burden is lessened if living with flatmates.
The fee per household is a flat fee set at €17.50 per month and is usually billed quarterly (€52.50 per quarter).
How to pay the Rundfunkbeitrag (TV and Radio Tax)
TV and Radio Tax in Germany is administered by the ‘Beitragsservice von ARD, ZDF und Deutschlandradio’ (Beitragsservice). When you register at an address in Germany, the Beitragsservice will be notified and will send you a bill.
The bill that you receive will contain payment details and a reference number. Use these details, including the reference number, to pay via bank transfer, at your local bank branch or online.
Rather than wait for the Beitragsservice to contact you, you can also notify them that you have moved into a new apartment and are needing to register for the Rundfunkbeitrag:
If this is the first time you are registering for TV & Radio Tax in Germany, you can do this here. Simply select 'Wohnung anmelden' and fill in your personal information and address details.
If you have already been paying the TV & Radio Tax in Germany and are moving address, click here and update your details by selecting ‘Namen, Adresse, Zahlungsweise ändern’.
Someone in my household is already paying the Rundfunkbeitrag (TV and Radio Tax), what do I need to do?
If you move into a flatshare where a tenant is already paying the Rundfunkbeitrag, you should contact the Beitragsservice and provide them with the account details and number (Beitragsnummer) of the tenant who is paying the fee.
You can do this by completing this online form.
To find out your own Beitragsnummer (account number), see the letter/bill you receive from the Beitragsservice.
Do I need to pay the Rundfunkbeitrag (TV and Radio Tax)
In almost all cases, yes! Refusing to pay the TV and Radio Tax can lead to you running into a number of legal difficulties. Following multiple requests to pay, you will then receive bills with late payment fees tacked on. If you still refuse to pay, your case may be passed to a debt collector who will use the legal means available to them to collect the debt.
What happens if I leave Germany
In the event that you leave Germany, you must de-register with the Beitragsservice. If you fail to do this and choose one day to return to Germany to live, you may find a nasty bill waiting for you that has been accrued in the time you have been away.
We hope you have found this page useful and that you now have a better understanding of TV and Radio Tax in Germany. For further information about living in Germany, see our free guides and resources on our homepage.