Finance2026-04-015 min read
Rundfunkbeitrag: The German TV Tax Every Expat Must Pay
What is the Rundfunkbeitrag, how much does it cost, when do you have to pay it, and what happens if you ignore it? Complete guide for expats.
What is the Rundfunkbeitrag?
The Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee) is a mandatory monthly charge of €18.36 per household in Germany. It funds public broadcasters ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio. Every household pays it — regardless of whether you own a TV, radio, or even a smartphone.
Key Facts
- Amount: €18.36/month (€220.32/year)
- Who pays: One person per household (not per person)
- Exemptions: Only for severe disability or social welfare recipients (Sozialleistungen)
- Deadline: Paid quarterly (every 3 months)
What Happens If You Don’t Pay?
- Reminder letters arrive in increasingly urgent German legal language
- Late fees accumulate at €8 per missed payment
- Festsetzungsbescheid — an official assessment notice with enforced collection
- Zwangsvollstreckung — debt enforcement through the courts (yes, they can garnish wages)
How to Register
You’ll typically receive a registration letter within weeks of your Anmeldung. If not:
1. Visit rundfunkbeitrag.de
2. Register your household
3. Set up a SEPA direct debit (Lastschrift) to avoid forgetting
Can You Reduce It?
- If you already live with someone who pays, you don’t need to pay again
- Students on BAföG can apply for exemption
- People with certain disabilities (Merkzeichen RF) pay a reduced rate
*Got a Rundfunkbeitrag letter you can’t understand? Upload it to Clario and get a plain-English explanation.*