Letter from the Beitragsservice: understanding the Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting licence fee)

The Beitragsservice is a joint body of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio. It manages the contribution accounts (Beitragskonten). Legally, decisions (Bescheide) are issued by the regional broadcaster (Landesrundfunkanstalt) of your federal state, for example WDR or BR; it is named in the decision. The Beitragsnummer (contribution number) has nine digits and is on every letter.

Many matters can be handled online at rundfunkbeitrag.de, for example the reply to a letter from the Meldedatenabgleich. For applications for exemption (Befreiung) there is a form that you sign and send by post with a copy of the proof. Do not send originals.

You file a Widerspruch (objection) against a decision in writing within one month. The address is in the Rechtsbehelfsbelehrung (information on legal remedies, usually at the end of the letter). Keep proof that you sent it.

Write your reply in German. German authorities work in German, so a letter in German is the safest way to make sure your reply is understood and processed. The templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.

Not answering: If you do not react to a letter from the Meldedatenabgleich, you are registered automatically, backdated to the move-in date held by the registration office. This is followed by a Zahlungsaufforderung (payment request) and possibly a Festsetzungsbescheid (assessment notice) with a Säumniszuschlag (late payment surcharge).

Paying with the Beitragsnummer of a person who has moved out: Beitragsnummern belong to one person. If the person who used to pay for the shared flat moves out, they take their number with them. If you keep paying to this number, your own home may not be covered.

Applying for exemption too late: An exemption (Befreiung) or reduction (Ermäßigung) only applies if you apply for it, and at most three years backdated. It is not extended automatically.