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German broadcasting fee: apply for exemption or deregister in writing

The Rundfunkbeitrag is charged per household — whether or not you own a TV or radio. But there are clear cases for exemption or deregistration. Important: nothing happens automatically.

Updated August 2026 · 5 minutes read

Young woman in her flat reading an official letter, next to a radio and a laptop

Who can be exempted

Under § 4 of the Broadcasting Fee State Treaty, exemption is granted on application to, among others:

  • recipients of Bürgergeld, social assistance or basic income support in old age
  • recipients of BAföG or vocational training aid not living with their parents
  • recipients of asylum seeker benefits
  • deafblind people and recipients of blind assistance

People with the RF mark in their disability card pay a reduced fee (one third).

Applying for exemption

  1. Fill in the Beitragsservice form or write informally.
  2. Enclose the benefit notice (certified copy or authority certificate).
  3. State your contribution number.

Exemption starts from the month the notice applies — if you apply within two months of it being issued. Later, it only applies from the month of application.

Hand putting a deregistration letter into an envelope on a moving box
When moving in together or abroad, deregister in writing.

When you can deregister

  • Moving in together: into a flat someone already pays for — deregister your account and give their contribution number.
  • Moving abroad with no German residence — with a deregistration certificate.
  • Death: relatives deregister with the death certificate.

A normal move within Germany is an address change, not a deregistration — see letters when moving.

Why by post

A letter with proof of delivery and copies of evidence protects you if reminders follow. Write it in the formal letter editor; against a fee assessment, file an objection by post.

Note: This article is not legal advice.

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