ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio contribution service

Register broadcasting fee

If you move into a new apartment as an adult, you must register for the broadcasting fee.

Use Online-Service

broadcasting fee

Detailed description

The broadcasting fee is a monthly fee that every household in Germany must pay to finance public broadcasters such as ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio.


The fee is 18.36 euros per month and applies to all households, regardless of whether you listen to the radio or watch television.



Register for the broadcasting fee when you move into an apartment.



If another person in your household already pays the broadcasting fee, you do not need to register them.



If you receive social benefits or have special health restrictions, you can apply for an exemption or reduction under certain conditions.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You are of legal age.
  • No broadcasting fee is yet paid for your apartment.

Documents required

  • informal letter by postor
  • completed registration form on the Internet

Please note

If you have previously paid broadcasting fees, these will automatically be converted to the broadcasting fee. You will usually receive a letter from the fee service.



If you are no longer required to pay the fee, for example because another resident in the apartment is already paying the broadcasting fee, you can deregister with the contribution service.

Deadlines

Payment of the broadcasting fee begins on the first day of the month in which you move into an apartment. This means:


  • They live there,

  • You are registered there or

  • Your name appears on the rental agreement as the tenant.




As soon as one of these conditions is met, the obligation to pay contributions begins.

Procedure

  • You register your apartment with the responsible authority for the broadcasting fee.
  • The responsible authority will examine your application and documents. If necessary, it will request further documents or information from you.
  • The responsible authority will decide on your application.
  • You will receive a notification.

Processing time

Processing an application for registration of the broadcasting fee usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks.

Fees

Your registration for the broadcasting fee is free of charge.




The broadcasting fee is currently 18.36 euros per month.


The reduced broadcasting fee is currently 6.12 euros per month.

Legal remedies

No legal remedy is provided.

Legal basis

Broadcasting Contribution State Treaty (RBStV)


https://www.rundfunkteil.de/e175/e4794/Rundfunkbeitratsstaatsvertrag.pdf

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio contribution service

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To Hamburg Service startpage

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Last updated: 20.01.2026