Workflow ID: WF-DEU-RBG-001
Version: 1.0
Status: Draft — awaiting legal review
Jurisdiction: Germany-wide (all 16 states — Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag / RBStV)
Risk level: Low
Legal review required: Yes
Last reviewed: 2026-07-15
Next review due: 2026-10-15
Owner: AusHelp Knowledge Team
Scope and disclaimer
This workflow provides informational guidance only. It is not legal advice. AusHelp is not a legal advisor, lawyer, or official authority, and does not take responsibility for the outcome of any administrative or legal proceeding. All steps and document requirements are derived from official public sources and are provided to help users understand and prepare. Users should verify current amounts, exemption eligibility, and registration procedures directly with the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice (rundfunkbeitrag.de). Where this workflow flags escalation conditions, it always recommends official guidance.
⚠ Source verification note: All three official web sources attempted during research were unavailable at time of writing (2026-07-15). Claims in this workflow are based on the known text of the Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag (RBStV) and its established application. The monthly fee amount in particular must be verified directly with the Beitragsservice, as it is subject to change by state legislation.
Explain what the Rundfunkbeitrag is, who must pay it, how to register a household, how to apply for an exemption or reduction, and what happens if letters are ignored — for foreigners in Germany who receive the Beitragsservice letter without prior context.
| Trigger | Urgency |
|---|---|
| User receives a letter from "ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice" | Medium — action required within 4 weeks |
| User completed Anmeldung (address registration) in Germany | Low — letter expected within 4–8 weeks |
| User asks "What is GEZ?" or "What is Rundfunkbeitrag?" | Low — information request |
| User has been ignoring Beitragsservice letters for months | High — debt accumulating |
| User asks whether they must pay if they don't own a TV or radio | Low — information request |
| Dimension | Value |
|---|---|
| Who | Every person with a registered private address (Wohnung) in Germany |
| Nationality | All — applies to EU and non-EU nationals equally |
| Location | Germany-wide — all 16 states |
| Condition | Anmeldung (address registration) completed at a Bürgeramt |
| Exceptions | Users whose household is already registered by a different person (e.g. one WG roommate already pays) |
This is not an immigration-specific rule. It applies to German citizens, EU nationals, and third-country nationals equally. There is no permit-type restriction.
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Household type | Shared flat (WG), solo apartment, student dormitory — determines who owes |
| Whether another person in the household already pays | If yes, no new contribution is owed |
| Whether user receives social benefits | Determines exemption eligibility |
| Whether user has a Schwerbehindertenausweis (disability certificate) | Determines exemption eligibility |
| Whether user has moved out or plans to move | Determines deregistration obligation |
| Date of Anmeldung | Determines when obligation started |
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authority | ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice |
| Former name | "GEZ" (obsolete since 2013 — do not use) |
| Website | https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de |
| Phone | ⚠ UNCERTAIN — verify at rundfunkbeitrag.de |
| Correspondence address | Appears on all Beitragsservice letters — use the address printed on the letter |
| Legal basis | Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag (RBStV) — treaty between all 16 German states, in force since 1 January 2013 |
| # | Document | When needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-01 | IBAN of a German bank account | For SEPA direct debit (most common payment method) | Not required if paying by other means |
| D-02 | Social benefit decision letter (Bescheid) | To apply for exemption based on benefit receipt | Must show current benefit period |
| D-03 | Schwerbehindertenausweis (disability certificate) | To apply for disability-based exemption | Must show relevant disability mark ("RF", "Bl", "GL" — see exemptions section) |
| D-04 | BAföG Bewilligungsbescheid | If applying for student-based exemption — ⚠ UNCERTAIN (see exemptions section) | Must be current |
| D-05 | Beitragsnummer (contribution number) | To reference an existing account or link to existing household payer | Printed on all letters from Beitragsservice |
The letter comes from "ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice" and carries a Beitragsnummer (contribution account number). It is an official payment demand, not spam.
Key things to check on the letter:
Source: SRC-019 (§ 7 RBStV — notification obligation; § 10 RBStV — data from registration offices)
Before doing anything else, check whether another person in your household already pays the Rundfunkbeitrag.
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| You live alone | You are the payer — proceed to Step 3 |
| You live in a WG (shared flat) | Ask all housemates whether any of them already pays. If yes, you owe nothing — see Step 4 (register as Mitbewohner) |
| You live in a student dormitory (Wohnheim) | The dormitory operator typically pays a reduced rate on behalf of residents. Confirm with your Wohnheim administration. ⚠ UNCERTAIN — actual arrangement varies by dormitory |
| You share a flat with your partner | One person pays for the shared household. The other is covered |
Per § 2 para 1 RBStV: every private household (Wohnung) owes exactly one contribution. Multiple occupants do not each owe a separate contribution.
Source: SRC-019 (§ 2 para 1 RBStV, § 3 RBStV)
The following categories receive a full exemption (Befreiung) from the contribution. Source: § 4 para 1 RBStV.
| Exemption category | Qualifying benefit or status |
|---|---|
| Bürgergeld recipient | Current receipt of Bürgergeld (§ 19 para 1 SGB II), formerly ALG II |
| Sozialhilfe recipient | Laufende Leistungen nach §§ 27ff. SGB XII |
| Grundsicherung recipient | Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung (§§ 41ff. SGB XII) |
| Asylum seeker | Receipt of benefits under § 3 AsylbLG |
| Blind person | Blindheit recognised in official certificate |
| Disability "RF" mark | Schwerbehindertenausweis with "RF" mark (Rundfunk-Befreiung) |
| Leistungen zur Sicherung des Lebensunterhalts | Other comparable means-tested benefit — ⚠ UNCERTAIN: verify specific categories with Beitragsservice |
Reduction (Ermäßigung — fee reduced to approximately 1/3 of the standard amount):
| Reduction category | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gehörlose (deaf) persons | Schwerbehindertenausweis with "GL" mark — ⚠ UNCERTAIN: exact reduction level should be verified |
| Taubblinde (deafblind) persons | Full exemption may apply — ⚠ UNCERTAIN |
⚠ UNCERTAIN — BAföG students: Whether current BAföG recipients qualify for an exemption or reduction is not confirmed. Some sources suggest BAföG receipt may qualify; others indicate it does not. Verify directly with Beitragsservice before advising.
Source: SRC-019 (§ 4 RBStV)
If you owe the contribution (no exemption applies):
If another person in your household already pays:
If you qualify for an exemption:
Source: SRC-019 (§ 7 RBStV — registration; § 4 RBStV — exemption process); SRC-020
| Option | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SEPA Lastschrift (direct debit) | Quarterly (default), semi-annually, or annually | Most convenient; authorised once, withdrawn automatically |
| Bank transfer (Überweisung) | As invoiced | Reference: always use your Beitragsnummer |
| Online payment | At time of registration | One-time or recurring |
Current contribution amount: €18.36 per month per household. [SRC-020 — verified 2026-07-15]
Source: SRC-019 (§ 2 RBStV — one contribution per household); SRC-020
When you move out of Germany or permanently change address:
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Moving within Germany | Notify Beitragsservice of new address. Contribution continues. |
| Moving out of Germany | Submit Abmeldung (deregistration) to Beitragsservice; attach proof of departure (e.g. Abmeldebescheinigung from Bürgeramt, or rental termination) |
| Moving into a household where someone already pays | Register as Mitbewohner — existing payer's account covers the household |
Obligation ends on the last day of the month in which the Wohnung is vacated. ⚠ ASSUMPTION A-002 — verify exact cessation rule with Beitragsservice.
Source: SRC-019 (§ 8 RBStV — end of contribution obligation)
| Deadline | Calculation | Consequence of missing |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Within 4 weeks of receiving the letter (⚠ ASSUMPTION A-003) | Back-contributions owed from date of Anmeldung; potential surcharge |
| Exemption application | As early as possible | Exemption does not apply retroactively — contributions owed until application submitted |
| Payment (quarterly) | 15th of the last month in the quarter (⚠ UNCERTAIN — verify with Beitragsservice) | Säumniszuschlag (late payment surcharge) applies |
| Deregistration on departure | Within one month of moving out (⚠ ASSUMPTION A-002) | Contributions continue to accrue until deregistration confirmed |
Note: There is no formal criminal penalty for non-payment. Unpaid contributions become a public law debt (öffentlich-rechtliche Forderung) and are enforced by the state tax authorities (Vollstreckung) — they can be collected in the same manner as taxes. ⚠ UNCERTAIN: exact enforcement mechanism by state — varies slightly.
Source: SRC-019 (§ 9 RBStV)
| Check | Question | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Device ownership | "I don't have a TV — do I still pay?" | Yes. The contribution is per household (Haushalt), not per device. Device ownership is irrelevant since 2013. |
| Streaming services | "I only watch Netflix — do I still pay?" | Yes. Internet-connected devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets) are all considered capable of receiving public broadcasting. |
| Internet access | "I don't have internet — do I still pay?" | Yes, if you have a registered address. Access to broadcasting is assumed for any household. |
| Multiple addresses | "I am registered at two addresses" | ⚠ UNCERTAIN — a person registered at two addresses may owe one contribution per address; verify with Beitragsservice |
| WG room sub-letter | "I sublet a room — am I a payer?" | If you have a fixed room in a shared flat, one contribution is owed for the flat as a whole — the primary tenant typically organises this |
| Missing document | Impact | Resolution path |
|---|---|---|
| Beitragsnummer not yet received | Cannot reference existing account | Wait 4 weeks from Anmeldung; if no letter arrives, check with Beitragsservice using name and address |
| Social benefit letter expired | Exemption cannot be proved | Obtain a current Bewilligungsbescheid from the issuing authority (Jobcenter, Sozialamt, etc.) |
| No IBAN available (no German bank account yet) | Cannot set up direct debit | Pay by bank transfer or use an existing foreign IBAN (⚠ UNCERTAIN — whether foreign IBAN is accepted); open a basic bank account (Basiskonto) first |
| Schwerbehindertenausweis not yet issued | Cannot prove disability exemption | Apply for Schwerbehindertenausweis at Versorgungsamt first; exemption cannot be claimed retroactively |
| Exception | Description | Handling |
|---|---|---|
| WG with one existing payer | One roommate already pays for the flat | Ask for their Beitragsnummer; report to Beitragsservice as Mitbewohner at that address — no additional payment required |
| Student dormitory | The operator pays a bulk/reduced rate | Confirm arrangement with dormitory management; individual residents typically do not pay separately — ⚠ UNCERTAIN: arrangement varies by Wohnheim |
| Short-term stay (under 2 months) | Visitor staying briefly, not registered | If Anmeldung was not completed, no contribution is due. If Anmeldung was completed, contribution is due from that date. |
| Shared flat, one person receives Bürgergeld | One person is exempt but others are not | The exempt person is not personally liable; the obligation shifts to the non-exempt roommate — ⚠ UNCERTAIN: verify with Beitragsservice |
| Foreign bank account | Prefers to pay from non-German IBAN | ⚠ UNCERTAIN — whether Beitragsservice accepts foreign IBANs for SEPA debit; bank transfer with Beitragsnummer as reference is always possible |
| Already paid at previous address | Moving to a new flat | Contribution account follows the person — notify Beitragsservice of address change; no new registration needed |
| Moved out but still getting letters | Former address still in system | Send Abmeldung to Beitragsservice with proof of departure date |
| Condition | Escalation action |
|---|---|
| Letters ignored for 6+ months | Inform user that back-contributions plus Säumniszuschlag are now owed; advise to contact Beitragsservice immediately to arrange payment or submit exemption application |
| Enforcement (Vollstreckung) notice received | Advise user to contact Beitragsservice within stated deadline on the notice; full amount must be paid or a formal payment plan (Ratenzahlung) requested |
| Disability exemption denied | User may request review or formal appeal — process via Beitragsservice internal Widerspruch procedure (⚠ UNCERTAIN — verify process) |
| Multiple households / unclear registration | High complexity; advise user to call Beitragsservice directly to clarify |
| Claim | Legal basis | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Every person operating a private household in Germany owes one broadcasting contribution | § 2 para 1 RBStV | SRC-019 |
| A private household is defined as any permanent, self-contained dwelling (Wohnung) | § 3 RBStV | SRC-019 |
| Each household owes exactly one contribution regardless of the number of occupants or devices | § 2 para 1 RBStV | SRC-019 |
| Exemptions are granted to recipients of specified social benefits and to persons with qualifying disabilities | § 4 para 1 RBStV | SRC-019 |
| The Beitragsservice receives data about newly registered residents from municipal registration authorities (Einwohnermeldeämter) | § 10 RBStV | SRC-019 |
| The contribution obligation begins when a person occupies a dwelling and ends when the dwelling is vacated | §§ 2, 8 RBStV | SRC-019 |
| Unpaid contributions may be collected by state enforcement authorities (Vollstreckung) | § 9 RBStV | SRC-019 |
| The RBStV has been in force since 1 January 2013 and replaced the former device-based Rundfunkgebühr system | RBStV — preamble | SRC-019 |
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| Registration is done online at rundfunkbeitrag.de or by post | SRC-020 |
| SEPA direct debit is the standard payment method, collected quarterly | SRC-020 |
| Exemption applications must be submitted with proof and are not retroactive | SRC-020 |
| Address data flows automatically from Anmeldung to Beitragsservice under § 10 RBStV | SRC-019 |
| The old "GEZ" name has been discontinued since 2013 — the collecting body is "ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice" | SRC-020 |
| ID | Assumption | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| A-001 | Exemption takes effect from the month of application, not retroactively | Medium |
| A-002 | Contribution obligation ends on the last day of the month of departure | Low |
| A-003 | No formal registration deadline exists beyond the general notification duty (§ 7 RBStV); 4-week guideline is operational, not statutory | Medium |
| A-004 | Student dormitories are covered by an institutional bulk arrangement, meaning individual residents do not register separately | Medium |
| A-005 | ~~Monthly fee amount pending verification~~ — CLOSED: confirmed €18.36/month at rundfunkbeitrag.de on 2026-07-15 | Resolved |
| ID | Question | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| UQ-001 | ~~Current monthly amount~~ — CLOSED: confirmed €18.36/month at rundfunkbeitrag.de on 2026-07-15 | Resolved |
| UQ-002 | Do BAföG recipients qualify for a full exemption, partial reduction, or no relief? | Medium — affects many students |
| UQ-003 | Does a person registered at two simultaneous addresses (Hauptwohnung + Nebenwohnung) owe one contribution or two? | Medium |
| UQ-004 | Will Beitragsservice accept a non-German IBAN for SEPA direct debit? | Low |
| UQ-005 | What is the exact enforcement timeline from missed payment to Vollstreckung? | Medium |
| UQ-006 | What is the exact Beitragsservice phone number and postal address for correspondence? | Low — operational |
| UQ-007 | For shared flats where one person receives Bürgergeld (and is exempt): does the contribution obligation automatically transfer to a named roommate, or is it suspended for the flat? | Medium |
| Source ID | Title | URL |
|---|---|---|
| SRC-019 | Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag (RBStV) | https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/beitragsservice/web/recht/gesetze.html |
| SRC-020 | ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice — Main site | https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de |
⚠ Research note: Both sources above were unreachable at time of research (2026-07-15). SRC-019 link is a best-effort URL to the legal documents section; verify before publishing. SRC-020 is the main authority site. The legal framework in this workflow is derived from the known text of the RBStV as it has been in force since 2013 and as amended.
The workflow is complete when:
2026-07-15 — initial draft. Legal framework based on RBStV in force since 2013. Fee amount and exemption categories must be verified at rundfunkbeitrag.de before publishing.
Sources must be re-verified before next quarter (due 2026-10-15).
AusHelp provides information and calculation against published criteria — not legal advice (keine Rechtsberatung). Final decisions rest with the German authorities. For individual cases contact the responsible authority or the free migration counselling services (MBE/JMD). This page is a free public reference; AusHelp is an independent commercial project and is not affiliated with any German authority.
Generated 2026-08-28 from the AusHelp knowledge engine. Every claim carries its source; sources are re-checked on a weekly cycle (statutes every 90 days, official guidance every 30, volatile figures every 14).