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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 apply:
You receive government social benefits, such as:
- Basic income support
- welfare
- BAföG
- Basic income support
- or you are deafblind
- or you receive assistance for the blind.
You can also apply for an exemption from the broadcasting fee as a case of exceptional hardship if you do not receive social benefits because your income exceeds the applicable needs threshold by an amount less than the regular fee.
Requirements
- You receive government social benefits, such as:
- Basic income support
- Social assistance
- BAföG
- Basic income support
- or you are deafblind
- or receive assistance for the blind.
Notes:
You can apply for an exemption from the broadcasting license fee as a case of exceptional hardship if you do not receive social benefits because your income exceeds the applicable needs threshold by less than EUR 17.50.
If you are exempt from the license fee, this exemption also applies to your spouse within your household. The same applies to your registered domestic partner. -
Procedure
You must apply in writing to the competent authority for exemption from the broadcasting fee. Use the prescribed form for this.
You can obtain it
- from cities,
- municipalities,
- from the responsible authorities and
- on the Internet.
You can fill out the Internet form online. Print it out at the end of the submission process and sign it. Enclose the required evidence and send your documents by post to the relevant 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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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. 30.07.2026