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.
-
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
- You receive state social benefits, for example:
- Unemployment benefit II
- social welfare
- BAföG
- basic income support
- or you are deaf-blind
- or receive assistance for the blind.
Please note:
You can apply for an exemption from the broadcasting fee as a special case of hardship if you do not receive any social benefits because your income exceeds the respective income threshold by less than EUR 17.50.
If you are exempt from the obligation to pay the contribution, the exemption also extends to your wife or husband within the home. The same applies to your registered 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.
-
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
-
Competent Department
-
ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice
- +49 1806 999 555 10
- Freimersdorfer Weg 6, 50829 Köln
- Website
-
-
Online Services
-
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.
-
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. 14.01.2026