One home.
One broadcasting contribution.
A letter from the Beitragsservice is a familiar part of settling into Germany. The Rundfunkbeitrag funds public broadcasting. For private households, the basic principle is a contribution per dwelling—not a separate bill for every resident or every television.
One dwelling, one contribution. In a shared flat, check whether another resident already pays before registering a separate account. Exemptions require an application and may not cover every housemate.
What does a household pay?
The standard private-household contribution is currently €18.36 per month per dwelling. It normally applies whether or not you own a television or radio or use public broadcasting. The usual statutory payment covers three months at a time, currently €55.08.
Do not confuse your Beitragsnummer—the account number used by the Beitragsservice—with your tax identification number. Use the correct account reference when corresponding or paying.
Moving into a shared flat? Check who already pays.
An ordinary shared flat generally needs one registered paying account for the dwelling. Agree who handles it and how you share the cost. If another resident already pays, respond to any enquiry using that person’s contribution number and the requested address details.
Do not simply ignore a letter because a housemate says the bill is covered. Separate self-contained dwellings can be assessed separately, even at the same street address. Ask the Beitragsservice if your accommodation arrangement is unusual.
Exemptions and reductions need an application
Certain benefits or health circumstances can qualify you for exemption. Examples include specified social benefits and eligible BAföG recipients living away from their parents. Student status, low earnings or unemployment alone do not automatically qualify. Recipients of Arbeitslosengeld I or Wohngeld are not exempt merely because they receive those benefits.
People with the qualifying RF disability marker can apply for a reduced contribution. Submit the appropriate evidence: exemption and reduction are not automatic. An exemption for one housemate does not necessarily exempt everyone else in the dwelling. Check the rules for who is covered.
A move means an update—not always a new account.
If you already pay and move to another home, use the official change-of-details service. If you move into a dwelling already covered by someone else, follow the deregistration process for your previous account and supply the required information.
A permanent move abroad can allow deregistration of a dwelling you give up. Notify the Beitragsservice directly and provide the evidence it requests. Abmeldung at the Bürgeramt does not replace contacting the contribution service. Keep its confirmation and settle any remaining balance.
Your practical checklist
- Check whether somebody already pays for your dwelling.
- Respond to letters with the correct contribution number.
- Use the official website to register or update details.
- Apply separately for any exemption or reduction, with evidence.
- Keep confirmations and update the account when you move.
Keep learning, one practical step at a time.
Explore the other Everyday Life guides for address registration, renting, driving and preparing to leave Germany.
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General information checked 4 October 2026. Procedures and individual requirements can differ. Use the official sources linked above and confirm your position with the relevant authority or provider.