Daily Life· 2 min read
The broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag / GEZ)
Almost every household must pay the public broadcasting fee — even if you never watch TV. Here's how it works and how not to pay twice.
The Rundfunkbeitrag (often still called 'GEZ') funds public TV and radio (ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio). It is charged per household, not per person or per device — so you pay whether or not you own a TV.
Watch out: Shortly after your Anmeldung you'll receive a letter asking you to register and pay. Ignoring it does not make it go away — unpaid fees can be enforced. It's currently around €18–19 per month per household.
Tip: Living in a shared flat (WG)? Only ONE person per household needs to pay. Agree who registers so you don't each pay separately. Students on BAföG and some benefit recipients can apply to be exempted (Befreiung).