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.

Not Paying the Broadcasting Fee: Consequences, Reminders and Enforcement | Broadcasting Fee Calculator

Not Paying the Broadcasting Fee: Consequences, Reminders, and Enforcement

Some people refuse to pay the broadcasting fee on principle. Others simply forget or can't afford it. Regardless of the reason, non-payment triggers a well-defined enforcement process that can escalate significantly. Understanding the consequences — and your options at each stage — is important for making informed decisions.

Stage 1: The Invoice (Festsetzungsbescheid)

The Beitragsservice sends quarterly invoices (€55.08 per quarter). If you don't pay, you first receive a reminder (Zahlungserinnerung). If payment still doesn't arrive, you receive a formal Festsetzungsbescheid — an administrative assessment notice that has the legal force of a court judgment. This notice includes the outstanding amount plus a Säumniszuschlag (late payment surcharge) of 1% of the outstanding amount, minimum €8.

Important: the Festsetzungsbescheid is a Verwaltungsakt (administrative act) that becomes legally binding if you don't appeal within one month. Once binding, it can be enforced directly — no court proceeding required.

Stage 2: Enforcement (Vollstreckung)

If the Festsetzungsbescheid remains unpaid, the Beitragsservice can initiate enforcement measures. These are carried out by the local enforcement authority (Vollstreckungsbehörde) on behalf of the Beitragsservice. Enforcement measures include: bank account seizure (Kontopfändung), wage garnishment (Lohnpfändung through your employer), seizure of assets, Gerichtsvollzieher (bailiff) visit, and in extreme cases, a Vermögensauskunft (disclosure of assets, formerly Eidesstattliche Versicherung), which results in an entry in the debtor register (Schuldnerverzeichnis).

The enforcement costs are added to your debt, making the total significantly higher than the original amount owed.

Stage 3: The Debtor Register

A Schuldnerverzeichnis entry (debtor register) is the most severe consequence. It's essentially a public record that you failed to pay a debt, visible to banks, landlords, and creditors through SCHUFA and similar credit reporting agencies. This can affect your ability to rent an apartment, open bank accounts, get credit or loans, and sign contracts (phone, internet, etc.).

A Schuldnerverzeichnis entry remains for 3 years and can follow you long after the broadcasting fee debt has been paid.

Can You Go to Jail for Not Paying?

In theory, extreme cases of refusal to comply with enforcement measures can lead to Erzwingungshaft (coercive detention) — not imprisonment for the debt itself, but for refusing to provide a Vermögensauskunft (asset disclosure) when legally required. This is exceedingly rare but has occurred in a handful of cases. In practice, the Beitragsservice and enforcement authorities resolve 99.9% of cases through financial measures (seizure, garnishment) rather than detention.

Your Rights in the Process

You have the right to appeal (Widerspruch) any Festsetzungsbescheid within one month. The appeal must be in writing, addressed to the Beitragsservice, and should explain why you believe the assessment is incorrect (e.g., you're exempt, you've already paid, or the amount is wrong). Note: The appeal does NOT suspend the payment obligation. You must pay the amount and request a refund if the appeal is successful.

If the appeal is denied, you can file a lawsuit (Klage) at the Verwaltungsgericht (administrative court). Court proceedings for broadcasting fee disputes are subject to normal court fees. Legal aid (Prozesskostenhilfe) may be available if you can't afford legal representation.

Legal Challenges to the Broadcasting Fee

Numerous lawsuits have challenged the legitimacy of the broadcasting fee. The Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) ruled in 2018 that the fee is constitutional, with one exception: the second residence rule was struck down (since corrected — no double payment for secondary residences).

Arguments that consistently fail in court include: "I don't own a TV," "I don't use public broadcasting," "The fee is a tax disguised as a contribution," and "I object to the content of public broadcasting." The courts have consistently upheld the fee as a constitutional contribution (Beitrag) to public broadcasting, which serves a democratic function regardless of individual usage.

What to Do If You Can't Afford to Pay

If you genuinely cannot afford the broadcasting fee, don't ignore the invoices — take action. Check exemption eligibility: Review whether you qualify for exemption through social benefits, disability, or the hardship rule. Contact the Beitragsservice: Call 01806 999 555 10 and explain your situation. They may offer a payment plan or direct you to exemption options. Seek debt counseling: If broadcasting fee debt is part of a larger financial problem, a Schuldnerberatung (free debt counseling) can help you develop a comprehensive plan.

The Financial Reality

Consider the math: the broadcasting fee is €18.36/month (€220.32/year). Late fees, enforcement costs, and legal expenses can easily triple or quadruple this amount. A single Vermögensauskunft proceeding costs €100+ in fees, and the resulting Schuldnerverzeichnis entry can cost thousands in higher interest rates and lost opportunities.

Whether or not you agree with the broadcasting fee, the practical calculus is clear: paying €18.36/month is far cheaper than the consequences of not paying. If you qualify for exemption, claim it. If you don't, budget for it as a fixed expense. And if you have principled objections, pursue them through proper legal channels rather than through non-payment.