In these cases you do not have to pay any license fees
Created: 03/02/2022, 08:05
By: Janine Napirca
In certain cases, you can be exempted from the broadcasting fee.
You can find out what these are here.
© Christoph Hardt/Imago
When do you not have to pay a broadcasting license fee?
And how high are the license fees since the last increase?
What exactly is the broadcasting fee?
The
public service broadcasters in Germany, i.e. ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio, are
financed
with
the license fee.
The contribution has been due since 2013 and replaced the former
GEZ fees
.
The biggest difference between broadcasting fees and GEZ fees is who has to pay the fee.
This is how much broadcasting fees you currently have to pay
Since July 20, 2021, the broadcasting fee has increased by
86 cents
.
This increases the broadcasting fees to
EUR 18.36 per month
.
Normally, the license fee is paid quarterly.
But you can also pay it in advance for half a year or even a whole year.
Also read
: Maintenance, minimum wage, Hartz IV: Experts explain what's new since 2022.
What happens if you don't pay the license fee?
In Germany,
every household
is obliged to pay the radio license fee.
It doesn't matter whether there is a radio, television, computer etc. in the apartment or not.
The number of people living in the household is also irrelevant.
If you do not pay the amount, you will receive another letter including reminder fees.
Since the broadcasters are not obliged to send a payment reminder, it is advisable to set up a SEPA direct debit procedure.
RUHR24* reveals which changes to the GEZ can lead to a reminder fee.
Also interesting
: Pension for child-rearing periods: That's how much money the extra surcharge means for parents.
Can I be exempted from broadcasting fees?
As soon as you register at a new place of residence, you will receive a letter from the public service broadcasters.
In Germany there is an
obligation
to register, i.e. not registering in order to avoid the license fee, is not a solution.
If you violate the reporting obligation, you commit an
administrative offence.
Fines are threatened and
overdue
broadcasting fees must also be paid.
Also Read
: Unusual Ideas on How to Save Money in 2022.
However, according to the website of the
public service broadcasters
, there is the possibility of being exempted from the license fee in the following cases:
Unemployment benefit II or social benefit
livelihood assistance
Basic security in old age and reduced earning capacity
Benefits under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), vocational training allowance, training allowance if the recipient does not live with their parents
Benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act
help for the blind
Nursing allowance according to state regulations
Help with care or help with care as a benefit of war victim welfare
Nursing allowances under the Burden Equalization Act
Persons who are granted an exemption due to the need for care
Adults residing in an inpatient facility as part of a benefit grant
(jn) *Merkur.de and RUHR24 are offered by IPPEN.MEDIA.