Rundfunkbeitrag im privaten Bereich - Befreiung beantragen

If you are entitled to an exemption from the obligation to pay broadcasting fees, you can submit an application to be exempted from the obligation to pay broadcasting fees.

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.

• Upon receipt of social benefits
  • Original proof of receipt of one of the aforementioned social benefits (notice of grant or certificate from the social benefit agency)
• in case of deaf-blindness:
  • Current medical certificate of deaf-blindness 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
• in case of receiving aid for the blind
  • Current notice of grant or certificate of the authority about the receipt of benefits according to § 72 Twelfth Book of the Social Code (SGB XII) or §27d Federal Supply Act (BVG)
• in cases of hardship
  • the notice of refusal from the social benefits agency in the event that the income limit is slightly exceeded as a special case of hardship
• if necessary, further proofs

If you send in the original notice of approval, please mark it with the word "Original". Otherwise, you may not receive it back, as all incoming mail is destroyed after digital archiving.
You will not receive back the certificate from the authority or the benefit provider. You do not have to mark the original severely disabled person's ID card. You will receive it back without being asked.

• They receive government social benefits, such as:
  • Unemployment benefit II
  • Social assistance
  • BAföG
  • Basic income support
• or you are deafblind
• or receive assistance for the blind.

Notes:

You can apply for exemption from the broadcasting contribution as a special case of hardship if you do not receive any social benefits because your income exceeds the respective needs limit by less than EUR 17.50.
If you are exempt from the contribution obligation, the exemption within the home also extends to your wife or husband. The same applies to your registered partner.

Application procedure and examination: none

You must apply for exemption from the broadcasting fee in writing to the relevant office. Use the prescribed form for this purpose.
You can obtain it

• from cities,
• at municipalities,
• at the responsible authorities and
• on the Internet.

You can fill in the Internet form online. Print it out at the end of the entry process and sign it. Attach the required supporting documents and send your documents by mail to the competent authority.

The exemption is granted at the earliest at the beginning of the month following the application.

You must submit the application for exemption within two months after the notice of approval has been issued.

You will receive the exemption from the first of the month specified as the start of benefits in the notice of approval.

The duration of the exemption is based on the validity period of the approval notice/proof.

The broadcasting contribution replaced the broadcasting fee on January 1, 2013.

• As long as you have not yet received confirmation of the granting of a social benefit, it is not necessary to apply. It is sufficient if you send the application for exemption from the obligation to pay broadcasting fees with the required proof as soon as you have received the approval of the social benefit.
• The exemption from the obligation to pay broadcasting fees ends prematurely if the conditions for exemption are not or no longer met. You must notify the responsible state broadcasting organization or the contribution service of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio of this without delay.

You can lodge an objection to the decision within one month of notification. The objection must be submitted by you in writing, in electronic form or in writing to the address of the state broadcasting organization acting on your behalf or to the ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio contribution service.

Please also note the following important information:

• When filing your objection, please state the facts and evidence used to substantiate it.
• An objection or complaint does not release you from your obligation to pay the broadcasting fees.

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.

• Broadcasting fee in the private sector Exemption
• If you are entitled to an exemption from the obligation to pay broadcasting fees, you must submit an application.
• Prerequisites for an exemption are:
  • Citizen's income (formerly ALG II)
  • BAföG
  • Social assistance
  • Asylum seeker benefit
  • Basic income support
  • Vocational training allowance (BAB)
  • Training allowance (SGB III)
  • Assistance for nursing care (SGB XII or BVG)
  • SGB VIII (child and youth welfare)
  • Care allowances according to LAG
  • assistance for the blind (SGB XII)
  • no social benefits due to excess income
  • deaf-blind people
  • special welfare beneficiaries

ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Contribution Service

• Forms/online services available: Yes
• Written form required: Yes
• Informal application possible: Yes
• Personal appearance required: No