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BriefDiener
DE

Beitragsservice (licence fee service)

Festsetzungsbescheid (assessment notice) from the Beitragsservice: what now?

What this letter means

If licence fees remain unpaid, the regional broadcaster (Landesrundfunkanstalt) sets them with a Festsetzungsbescheid (assessment notice). A Säumniszuschlag (late payment surcharge) of 1 percent of the unpaid fees, at least 8 euros, is added.

The decision is the basis for enforcement (Vollstreckung). If you do not pay, a reminder (Mahnung) follows, and then the broadcaster can start enforcement, for example a Pfändung (seizure) of your bank account or wages by an enforcement authority or a Gerichtsvollzieher (bailiff). This causes further costs.

If you do not file a Widerspruch (objection) within one month, the decision can no longer be challenged (unanfechtbar).

What to do now

  1. 1Calculate the deadline for the Widerspruch: date of the decision plus four days, then one month; the deadline calculator can help.
  2. 2Check the period, the home, and whether someone else already paid for the home during this time.
  3. 3Check whether you are entitled to an exemption (Befreiung) for this period; it can be applied for up to three years backdated.
  4. 4If the decision is wrong, file a Widerspruch in writing, in German, and enclose proof; the templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.
  5. 5If it is correct, pay the fees and the Säumniszuschlag so that no enforcement follows.

How you can reply

File a Widerspruch (objection)

For example, if the home was already paid for under another Beitragsnummer during this period, or if you did not live there. Give your Beitragsnummer and the date of the decision.

Template: Widerspruch gegen einen Bescheid (Jobcenter, Krankenkasse)

Apply for exemption with backdating

If you received social benefits during this period that entitle you to exemption, apply with proof. More on exemption from the Rundfunkbeitrag.

Pay or ask for instalments

If the decision is correct, pay the amount. If you cannot pay it all at once, ask the Beitragsservice for Ratenzahlung (payment in instalments) before enforcement starts.

Common questions

Do I have to pay while my Widerspruch is being processed?

Usually yes. For public charges (öffentliche Abgaben), a Widerspruch has no suspensive effect (keine aufschiebende Wirkung). However, the broadcaster can suspend enforcement (Aussetzung der Vollziehung) if there are serious doubts about the decision.

Is the Säumniszuschlag always 8 euros?

It is 1 percent of the unpaid fees, but at least 8 euros. So for small arrears it is 8 euros.

How do I calculate the deadline exactly?

The deadline calculator calculates from the date of the decision. A decision sent by post counts as delivered on the fourth day after it was posted, and the one-month deadline starts from then.

Sources (German law and official pages)

  1. Rundfunkbeitrag: Informationen zur Zahlung
  2. Rundfunkbeitrag: Informationen zur Vollstreckung und Pfändung
  3. § 70 Form und Frist des Widerspruchs (VwGO)
  4. § 80 Aufschiebende Wirkung (VwGO)
  5. § 41 Bekanntgabe des Verwaltungsaktes (VwVfG)
  6. Rundfunkbeitrag: Empfänger von Sozialleistungen

Research as of: 10 November 2026