As of: February 4, 2024, 4:49 a.m
By: Marco Blanco Ucles
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Press
Split
The broadcasting fee is to be increased again in 2025.
Consumers must therefore be prepared to spend more unless they are exempt from the fee.
In times of energy crisis and rising inflation, many people have to tighten their financial belts and save money and avoid additional spending.
Of course, it doesn't taste good at all that the broadcasting fees - often still colloquially referred to as GEZ fees - are to be increased again next year.
Instead of the previous 18.36 euros, every household will in future have to shell out 18.94 euros per month.
That would correspond to an increase of 3.1 percent.
Rising costs for programming and personnel at broadcasters
There is great resistance among the population and politicians; some federal states do not want to go along with the innovation - including Bavaria.
The broadcasters cited the rising costs of programming and personnel as reasons for increasing the contributions, which can be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.
Reports recently caused a stir in which the salaries of some top presenters from ARD and ZDF were discussed.
In 2025, consumers are threatened with the next increase in broadcasting fees, previously known as GEZ fees.
© Panama Pictures/IMAGO
The population is naturally not very enthusiastic about a further increase; according to a survey by “Insa” last year, 78 percent said they were against an increase in the former GEZ fee.
Since 2013, the fee has been charged as a flat-rate broadcasting fee; previously, a distinction was made between the television fee and the radio license fee.
The increase planned for 2025 is only the second since 2013, and the amount mostly remained the same.
An overview:
Year |
Broadcasting fee |
2013 |
17.98 euros |
2015 |
17.50 euros |
2017 |
17.50 euros |
2019 |
17.50 euros |
2021 |
17.50 euros |
2023 |
18.36 euros |
2025 (planned) |
18.94 euros |
A decision on whether the broadcasting fee will be further increased in the future is expected in the first half of the year.
According to the “Editorial Network Germany”, the Commission for Determining the Financial Requirements of Broadcasting Corporations (KEF) could propose an increase in contributions to the Prime Minister from 2025 as early as February.
Since some state leaders - such as Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) on the "X" platform - have already spoken out publicly against it, it may well be that the decision will ultimately have to be made before the Federal Constitutional Court.
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Some groups of people can apply for exemption from broadcasting fees with legitimate hope.
According to “rundfunkteil.de”
, those affected are
people who receive certain social benefits such as basic security or citizen’s benefit – formerly unemployment benefit II.
Students and trainees who receive social benefits can also be exempt from fees, as can people with visual impairments.
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Pensioners, who often receive little financial support, can also be exempted from the previous GEZ contributions.
To do this, certain documents must be presented, such as a valid approval notice for basic security, assistance with living expenses or benefits from the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.
Care assistance or accommodation in a retirement home can also result in the broadcasting fees being waived.
People who may be exempt from the broadcasting fee can submit a request for exemption both in writing and online.
It is important that all required documents are sent along.
There is rarely any reason to hurry; the exemption can also be obtained retroactively for three years.