Broadcasting fee in the private sector Apply for exemption 
If you receive state social benefits, you can be exempted from the broadcasting fee. The same applies to deaf-blind people and recipients of assistance for the blind.
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Basic information
Under certain conditions it is possible to apply for an exemption from the broadcasting fee. The following conditions exist:
You receive state social benefits, such as:
- Unemployment benefit II
- Social assistance
- BAföG
- basic income support
- or you are deafblind
- or you receive assistance for the blind.
You can also apply for exemption from the broadcasting fee as a special case of hardship if you do not receive social benefits because your income exceeds the respective requirement limit by less than the amount of the regular fee.
Requirements
- They receive government social benefits, such as:
- Unemployment benefit II
- Social assistance
- BAföG
- Basic income support
- or you are deafblind
- or receive assistance for the blind.
Notes:
You can apply for exemption from the broadcasting contribution as a special case of hardship if you do not receive any social benefits because your income exceeds the respective needs limit by less than EUR 17.50.
If you are exempt from the contribution obligation, the exemption within the home also extends to your wife or husband. The same applies to your registered partner. -
Procedure
You must apply for exemption from the broadcasting fee in writing to the relevant office. Use the prescribed form for this purpose.
You can obtain it
- from cities,
- at municipalities,
- at the responsible authorities and
- on the Internet.
You can fill in the Internet form online. Print it out at the end of the entry process and sign it. Attach the required supporting documents and send your documents by mail to the competent authority.
More information
If you receive an exemption, it extends within the home at the same time to your wife or husband. The same applies to your registered partner.
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Necessary Documents
- Upon receipt of social benefits
Proof of receipt of one of the above-mentioned social benefits in the original (notice of grant or certificate from the social benefit agency)
- For deafblindness
- Current medical certificate of deafblindness in the original or
- Severely handicapped person's identity card with the mark "Bl" and "Gl" or
- Certificate of the pension office about the degree of hearing and visual impairment
- When receiving assistance for the blind
Current notice of approval or certificate from the authority regarding the receipt of benefits in accordance with § 72 of the Twelfth Book of the German Social Code (SGB XII) or §27d of the Federal Pension Act (BVG).
- In cases of hardship
- The notice of refusal from the social benefits agency in the case of a slight exceeding of the income limit as a special case of hardship
- if necessary further proofs
- Upon receipt of social benefits
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Competent Department
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ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice
- +49 1806 999 555 10
- Freimersdorfer Weg 6, 50829 Köln
- Website
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Online Services
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Fees / Costs
18,36 EUR Per apartment and month. You must pay the broadcasting contribution for 3 months at a time. The contribution service collects it in the middle of a three-month period.
6,12 EUR Reduced broadcasting fee. You must pay the broadcasting contribution for 3 months at a time. The contribution service collects it in the middle of a three-month period. -
Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
You must apply for the exemption within 2 months after the approval notice is issued.
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Legal Bases
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct. 01.12.2025