Broadcasting fee in the private sector, exemption

Please note in particular our information under:

  • Performance specification

    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.

  • Process flow

    You must apply for exemption from the licence fee in writing to the competent authority. Use the prescribed form for this purpose.
    You will receive it

    • for cities,
    • for municipalities,
    • with the competent authorities and
    • on the internet.

    You can fill out the internet form online. Print it out at the end of the entry process and sign it. Enclose the required supporting documents and send your documents by post to the competent office.

    Special information for - District of Waldeck-Frankenberg

    The completed form can also be forwarded by the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg, especially if certificates are still required from here.

  • Competent body

  • Requirements

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

    Notes:

    You can apply for exemption from the broadcasting contribution under the aspect of a special case of hardship if you do not receive any social benefits because your income exceeds the respective needs threshold by less than 17.50 euros.
    If you are exempt from the obligation to pay the contribution, the exemption within the home also extends to your wife or husband. The same applies to your registered partner. The exemption also extends to children of the applicant, spouse or registered partner living in the dwelling up to the age of 25, as well as to those dwellers whose income and assets have been taken into account for the granting of a social benefit. (New regulation in the 19th RÄStV)

  • Which documents are required?

    • on 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 provider)
    • for deafblindness:
      • Current medical certificate of deafblindness in the original or
      • Severely disabled person's identity card with the symbol "Bl" and "Gl" or
      • Certificate from the pension office on the degree of hearing and visual impairment
    • on receipt of assistance for the blind
      • Current notice of grant or certificate from the authority on the receipt of benefits according to § 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
    • Further evidence if required

    The prerequisites for the exemption must be proven by the corresponding confirmation of the authority or the benefit provider in copy; upon request, the confirmation of the authority or the benefit provider must be presented in the original or the decision in the original or as a certified copy. In the case of deaf-blind persons and recipients of assistance for the blind according to § 72 of the Twelfth Book of the Social Code, a medical certificate shall suffice.

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

  • What are the fees?

    Application procedure and examination: none

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    You will receive the exemption from the first of the month which is stated in the notice of grant as the beginning of the benefit, but at the earliest three years before the month in which the application for exemption from broadcasting fees is submitted. You should therefore submit the application for exemption promptly with the notice of grant issued. (New regulation in the 19th RÄStV)

  • Processing time

    The exemption shall take effect at the earliest at the beginning of the month following the application.

  • Legal basis

  • Applications / Forms

  • What else should I know?

  • Comments

    The broadcasting fee replaced the licence fee on 01.01.2013.


Who do I need to contact?

ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio

Contribution Service HR
Bertramstraße 8
60320 Frankfurt am Main

Tel.: 01806 999 555 55*
Fax: 01806 999 555 05*
* (20 Ct. per call from German landlines and German mobile networks)

Responsible departments