Broadcasting Fee in a Shared Flat: Who Pays and How to Split Fairly
Living in a WG (Wohngemeinschaft) raises a common question: who is responsible for the broadcasting fee, and how should it be divided? German law is clear on the legal obligation but silent on the internal arrangement — leaving it to roommates to figure out. Here's everything you need to know.
The Legal Rule: One Fee Per Apartment
Regardless of how many people live in a shared flat, only ONE broadcasting fee (€18.36/month) is due per apartment. This has been the rule since the 2013 reform. The Beitragsservice doesn't care how many people share the space — they see one apartment, one fee.
However, someone must be registered as the responsible payer (Beitragszahler). This person receives the invoices and is legally liable for payment. If no one in the WG is registered, the Beitragsservice will determine a responsible person based on the Meldebescheinigung (registration records).
Who Should Register as the Payer?
Strategically, consider these factors. If one roommate is exempt: That person should register as the Beitragszahler. Their exemption covers the entire apartment, and nobody pays anything. If no one is exempt: It doesn't matter who registers — the fee is the same regardless. Choose the most organized person who will handle invoices reliably. When roommates change: The registered payer should update the Beitragsservice when they move out, transferring the registration to a remaining or new roommate.
Fair Cost Splitting: Three Models
Equal split: The most common approach. With 2 roommates: €9.18 each. With 3: €6.12 each. With 4: €4.59 each. With 5: €3.67 each. Simple, transparent, and universally understood.
Proportional to room size: If rooms vary significantly in size (and rent), some WGs split the broadcasting fee proportionally to rent. If roommate A pays €500/month rent and roommate B pays €400/month, A would pay 55.6% (€10.20) and B 44.4% (€8.16) of the broadcasting fee.
Included in Nebenkosten: Many WGs include the broadcasting fee in their shared Nebenkosten (utility costs) alongside internet, electricity, and other shared expenses. This simplifies accounting but requires transparent tracking.
What Happens When Roommates Change?
When a roommate moves out: If they were the registered payer, they should transfer the registration to a remaining roommate by contacting the Beitragsservice. If they were not the registered payer, no action is needed with the Beitragsservice — just adjust the internal cost split. The departing roommate should settle any outstanding broadcasting fee contributions before leaving.
When a new roommate moves in: The new roommate should NOT register as a separate fee payer for the same apartment. They simply join the existing internal splitting arrangement. If they were previously paying the broadcasting fee at their old address, they should deregister that apartment.
Common Problems and Solutions
The registered payer moves out without transferring: The Beitragsservice continues sending invoices to the old payer's name at the WG address. Eventually, a new resident may receive a registration notice. To avoid confusion, always formalize the transfer when the registered payer changes.
A roommate refuses to contribute: Legally, only the registered payer is liable to the Beitragsservice. Internal cost sharing is a private agreement between roommates. To protect yourself, include the broadcasting fee in your WG's written agreement (WG-Vertrag or Nebenkostenregelung). If a roommate refuses to pay their share, it's a civil matter between roommates — the Beitragsservice won't get involved in internal disputes.
Double registration: If multiple WG residents are individually registered at the same address, the Beitragsservice should consolidate these into one registration. Contact them to clarify — you should only be paying once per apartment. Request a refund for any double payments.
Tax Implications
The broadcasting fee is not tax-deductible for private individuals. However, if you have a home office (Arbeitszimmer) that qualifies for tax deduction, you can deduct a proportional share of the broadcasting fee as a business expense. This requires the home office to be a dedicated, separate room used exclusively for work.
Practical Tips for WGs
Discuss the broadcasting fee during the move-in conversation and include it in your WG agreement. Set up a shared bank account (WG-Konto) for all shared expenses, including the broadcasting fee. Use a splitting app (SplitWise, WG-Abrechnung) to track contributions. When the registered payer changes, update the Beitragsservice promptly to avoid administrative confusion.
Couples and Subtenants in a WG
If a couple shares one room in a WG, the fee situation does not change — only one broadcasting fee is owed for the entire dwelling regardless of how many people or couples live there. Subtenants who are registered at the WG address as their primary residence are also covered under the dwelling's single fee. They should deregister any previous Beitragsnummer to avoid being billed separately. Temporary guests, even those staying for several weeks, do not trigger any additional obligation since the fee is tied to registered residents, not to the number of people physically present.
The Bottom Line for Shared Living
At €4 to €9 per person per month, the broadcasting fee is one of the smaller expenses in a WG. But getting the logistics right from the start prevents the kind of minor financial friction that can sour roommate relationships. The key takeaways are: always ensure one person is registered and paying, deregister previous individual registrations when forming a new WG, include the fee in your written WG agreement, and immediately update the Beitragsservice when the registered payer moves out. With these basics in place, the broadcasting fee becomes a non-issue in daily WG life.