Radio Bill (Rundfunkbeitrag)
The €18.36/month mandatory broadcasting fee — how to register, handle WG situations, update your address, claim exemptions, and cancel when you leave Germany.
€18.36 / month
Per household, not per person. One flat pays once, regardless of how many adults live there.
Per Household
In a shared flat (WG), only ONE person registers. Others register as Mitbewohner under the same Beitragsnummer.
Automatic Detection
The Beitragsservice receives your address from the Einwohnermeldeamt. You will receive a letter shortly after Anmeldung.
Amount
€18.36 per month (€55.08 per quarter). This amount is set by law and changes only after parliamentary agreement between all German states. It has been €18.36 since January 2021.
Who must pay
Every household (Haushalt) in Germany pays once, regardless of how many adults live there or whether anyone watches public TV. The fee is per address, not per person.
What counts as a household
Any flat, house, or room with its own entrance that you use as your primary or secondary residence. Student dorms where each room has a separate rental contract = each room is a household.
What it funds
ARD (Das Erste, regional channels), ZDF, Deutschlandradio, arte, and associated online services. All ad-free public broadcasting.
Enforcement
The Beitragsservice automatically receives your address from the Einwohnermeldeamt when you register (Anmeldung). You will receive a letter within weeks of registering. Ignoring it does not make it go away.
Step 1 — Go to rundfunkbeitrag.de
The website is in German. Use Chrome's built-in translation or DeepL. Click "Jetzt anmelden" (Register now).
Step 2, Enter your details
Fill in your name, address (exactly as on your Anmeldebescheinigung), date of birth, and email address.
Step 3 — Choose payment method
SEPA direct debit (Bankeinzug) from your German bank account is the easiest. Alternatively, pay by bank transfer each quarter. The fee is collected on the 15th of January, April, July, and October.
Step 4, Receive Beitragsnummer
You will receive a letter with your Beitragsnummer (8-digit contribution number). Keep this number — you need it for every future change (address, cancellation, exemption).
When the fee starts
From the month you move into your flat (when your Anmeldung begins). If you register late, you may receive a backdated bill.
The rule
One flat = one Rundfunkbeitrag payment. It does not matter how many adults live there. If 4 people share a flat, only one person registers and pays.
Who registers?
Any one adult in the flat can register. It is usually the person whose name is on the main rental contract, but any resident can do it. Coordinate with your flatmates to avoid double payment.
If you are already sharing with someone who pays
You must register as a "Mitbewohner" (secondary resident) under their Beitragsnummer, not as a new payer. Contact Beitragsservice with your flatmate's Beitragsnummer and your details. This prevents a bill being sent to you separately.
Student dorms (Wohnheim)
If your student room has its own rental contract (i.e., you rent directly from the Studentenwerk, not as a sublet from a flatmate), each room counts as a separate household. You must register and pay individually — unless you qualify for a BAföG exemption (see Exemptions section).
If you move into an already-registered flat
Tell your new flatmate's Beitragsnummer and contact Beitragsservice to add yourself as a Mitbewohner. You do not start a new account.
When to update
As soon as you have completed your new Anmeldung (address registration). Update your Beitragsservice address at the same time you update your bank and other services.
How to update
Log in to rundfunkbeitrag.de with your Beitragsnummer and update your address under "Meine Daten ändern" (change my data). Or call the Beitragsservice hotline: 01806 99 955 0 (landline rates).
Moving within the same city
Same process — update the address. Billing continues seamlessly with no gap or overlap.
Moving cities
Still the same account. Just update the address. The fee does not change based on which German city you live in.
New flat already has a payer
If you move into a flat where your new flatmate already pays, contact Beitragsservice to add yourself as a Mitbewohner under their account. Do NOT start a new registration, you will end up with duplicate bills.
Gap between flats
If you leave one flat and move into another (e.g., staying at a friend's temporarily), you are technically required to pay for both addresses if both count as your residence. In practice, a short gap of a few weeks while moving is rarely challenged.
BAföG recipients (students)
Students receiving BAföG (state education grants) are fully exempt. Apply with your current BAföG notice (Bewilligungsbescheid). The exemption lasts as long as you receive BAföG.
Bürgergeld / Sozialhilfe recipients
Recipients of Bürgergeld (basic income support), Sozialhilfe, or Grundsicherung are fully exempt. Apply with your current benefit notice.
Wohngeld recipients
Recipients of Wohngeld (housing benefit) are also exempt. Apply with your Wohngeld notice.
Severely disabled persons (Schwerbehinderte)
People with a disability degree (GdB) of 80% or more, or certain disability markers on their Schwerbehindertenausweis, qualify for exemption or 50% reduction. Apply with your Schwerbehindertenausweis.
How to apply for exemption
Log in to rundfunkbeitrag.de → "Befreiung oder Ermäßigung beantragen" (apply for exemption or reduction). Upload the required document. Processing takes 4–8 weeks.
Duration and renewal
Exemptions are usually granted for the duration of the underlying benefit. When your circumstances change (e.g., BAföG ends, you find a job), you must inform Beitragsservice and resume payments.
How to cancel
Online at rundfunkbeitrag.de → "Abmeldung" → select "Ich ziehe ins Ausland" (I am moving abroad). Enter your Beitragsnummer and the date of your Abmeldung. Upload your Abmeldebestätigung as proof.
When cancellation takes effect
The last month you must pay is the month you leave. If you file your Abmeldung on 15 November, your last payment is for November. December onwards is cancelled.
Refund for overpayment
If you paid quarterly via bank transfer and leave mid-quarter, you are entitled to a refund for the unused months. Beitragsservice will calculate and refund automatically (usually within 6–8 weeks).
SEPA direct debit
If you pay via SEPA direct debit, cancel your bank mandate as well, either via Beitragsservice or directly via your bank — once the cancellation is confirmed, to avoid any further automatic deductions.
Beitragsnummer after leaving
Your Beitragsnummer remains in the system but becomes inactive. If you return to Germany and move into a new flat, you can reactivate your old account.