What is the German broadcasting fee and how much is it in 2026?

The German broadcasting fee (formerly GEZ fee) funds public broadcasting in Germany. Since 2021, it is €18.36 per month per household (€55.08 per quarter, €220.32 per year). This amount remains unchanged in 2025 and 2026. The fee applies regardless of whether you own a TV, radio, or have internet access.

Who can be exempted from the broadcasting fee?

Full exemption is available for recipients of: Citizen's Benefit (ALG II), basic income support, social welfare, asylum seeker benefits, BAföG (full grant), and vocational training allowance. Also deafblind persons and those with severe sensory impairment. Persons with Marker RF in their disability ID receive a reduction to one third (€6.12/month).

I don't own a TV — do I still have to pay?

Yes. Since the reform in 2013, the broadcasting fee is charged per household, not per device. It doesn't matter if you own a TV, radio, or computer. Every household must pay — unless an exemption reason exists.

What is Marker RF and who qualifies?

Marker RF ("broadcasting fee exemption") is entered in the disability ID card. It's granted to persons who cannot participate in public events due to their disability — typically with a degree of disability (GdB) of at least 80 plus additional conditions. Blind and deaf persons usually receive it automatically. With Marker RF, you pay only one third: €6.12 instead of €18.36 per month.

How do I apply for an exemption?

Submit the application to the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice. You can fill out the form online at rundfunkbeitrag.de or send it by mail. You need: your contribution number (on every invoice), current proof (e.g., approval notice, not older than 3 months), and a copy of your ID card. Processing usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Is the exemption retroactive?

Yes, the exemption can be applied retroactively for up to 3 years if the exemption reason already existed at that time. You must prove that you were eligible at the time in question. Already paid fees will be refunded. Important: The exemption reason must have existed continuously.

How does the broadcasting fee work in a shared flat?

In a shared flat (WG), only one broadcasting fee is due per household. One person registers as the fee payer, the other roommates are automatically covered. Internally, costs can be split equally: with 2 people €9.18 each, with 3 people €6.12 each, with 4 people €4.59 each per month. There's no obligation to split — it's a private arrangement.

Do I have to pay double for a second home?

No. Since the Constitutional Court ruling of 2018, no additional broadcasting fee is charged for a secondary residence. Requirement: A fee is already registered for the primary residence. You need to apply for exemption for the secondary residence and provide the contribution number of your primary residence.

What happens if I don't pay the broadcasting fee?

Non-payment triggers a multi-step process: First a payment reminder, then a formal notice with late payment surcharge (1% of overdue amount, minimum €8). If still unpaid, enforcement follows — the fee service can enforce directly without a court judgment. This can lead to bank account seizure, bailiff visits, or an entry in the debtor register.

Can I appeal the broadcasting fee?

Yes, you can appeal a formal notice within one month. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the fee service and must be justified. If rejected, you can file a lawsuit at the administrative court. However, lawsuits against the broadcasting fee itself have not been successful — the Constitutional Court confirmed its constitutionality in 2018.

BAföG and Broadcasting Fee: Are Students Really Exempt? | Broadcasting Fee Calculator

BAföG and Broadcasting Fee: Are Students Really Exempt?

There's a widespread belief among German students that they're automatically exempt from the broadcasting fee. The reality is more nuanced: only certain BAföG recipients qualify, and the exemption requires an active application. This guide clarifies who's exempt, who isn't, and what options exist for students who don't qualify.

The Rule: Only Full BAföG Grant Qualifies

Students receiving BAföG with full grant (Vollförderung) qualify for full exemption from the broadcasting fee. This means your BAföG covers the maximum amount for your situation with no expected parental contribution. Students receiving partial BAföG (Teilförderung) — where a parental contribution reduces the grant — do NOT automatically qualify for exemption.

This distinction is crucial because about 40% of BAföG recipients receive partial funding. Many students assume any BAföG receipt exempts them from the broadcasting fee, only to discover they don't qualify.

How to Determine If You Qualify

Check your BAföG-Bescheid (approval notice). Look for the line showing your monthly BAföG amount and whether a parental contribution (Elternbeitrag) is listed. If the parental contribution is €0 and you receive the full Bedarfssatz, you likely qualify for exemption. If any parental contribution is deducted, you receive partial BAföG and don't automatically qualify.

Important nuance: some BAföG recipients receive the maximum amount despite having partial funding — this can happen when parental income is slightly above the threshold but other factors (siblings in education, housing costs) bring the grant to maximum level. In this case, what matters is whether the BAföG office classified you as receiving Vollförderung.

Applying for Exemption as a BAföG Recipient

Submit the following to the Beitragsservice: the exemption application form (available at rundfunkbeitrag.de), your current BAföG-Bescheid showing Vollförderung (not older than 3 months), a copy of your ID card, and your Beitragsnummer (if you have one — new students may not have registered yet).

The exemption covers the period of your BAföG approval, typically 12 months. When your BAföG is renewed (Weiterförderungsantrag), you must also renew your broadcasting fee exemption with the new Bescheid.

Options for Students Without Full BAföG

If you receive partial BAföG or no BAföG at all, you still have options. Living with parents: If you live at home, the broadcasting fee is covered by your parents' household — you don't pay separately. Shared flat (WG): The €18.36/month fee is split among all roommates. With 3 roommates, that's just €6.12 each per month. Roommate with exemption: If any WG roommate is exempt (e.g., through Bürgergeld or full BAföG), the entire apartment is covered.

Hardship case: If your total income (including BAföG and any work income) falls below the hardship threshold (approximately €1,358/month for single persons), you may qualify for exemption through the general hardship rule, even without full BAföG.

Vocational Training Allowance (BAB) and Ausbildungsgeld

Students aren't the only young people eligible for broadcasting fee exemption. Recipients of Berufsausbildungsbeihilfe (BAB) — vocational training allowance for apprentices living away from their parents — also qualify for full exemption. The same applies to recipients of Ausbildungsgeld, which supports people with disabilities during vocational training. The application process is identical: submit your BAB or Ausbildungsgeld approval notice along with the exemption form.

Common Student Mistakes

Never registering: Many students move into their first apartment and never register with the Beitragsservice, assuming they're exempt. Eventually, the Beitragsservice catches up (through Meldeamt data) and sends a bill for the entire period. Assuming partial BAföG qualifies: As explained above, only Vollförderung qualifies. Students with partial BAföG who file for exemption will be denied. Not reapplying after renewal: The exemption must be renewed each time BAföG is renewed. A gap in exemption means full fees are charged for the interim period. Ignoring invoices: Non-payment leads to formal notices and late fees. If you can't pay, contact the Beitragsservice to discuss options.

After Graduation

When your studies end and BAföG stops, the broadcasting fee exemption ends too. If you enter employment, you'll pay the full fee. If you're job-seeking and receiving Bürgergeld, you qualify for exemption through that benefit. The transition period between student life and employment is when many people fall into a gap — make sure to either reapply under a new qualifying benefit or start budgeting for the fee.

Student Housing (Studentenwohnheim) Special Rules

Students living in a Studentenwohnheim face a particular challenge. Each self-contained unit — even a single room with its own entrance — is considered a separate dwelling for broadcasting fee purposes. Shared kitchens or bathrooms elsewhere on the floor do not merge multiple rooms into a single dwelling. This means each room incurs its own €18.36 monthly fee unless the resident qualifies for exemption. Many Studentenwerk organisations are aware of this issue and provide guidance materials or pre-printed exemption forms at their front desks. If your student residence has a communal social room or common area, it does not count as your dwelling — only your registered room does.

The Student Budget Perspective

At €18.36 per month (or far less in a WG), the broadcasting fee is modest compared to other student expenses. If you qualify for exemption, claim it — €220 per year is meaningful on a student budget. If you do not qualify, split the cost in your WG and treat it as a fixed expense. Either way, do not ignore it — the consequences of non-payment far exceed the cost of the fee itself. Consider the total cost over a typical three-year bachelor's programme: a student paying the full fee alone spends €660, while a student in a four-person WG pays just €165 for the same period. Choosing WG living over a solo apartment saves almost €500 on the broadcasting fee alone — in addition to the rent savings.