Rechtsstand Herbst 202643 life situations645 topic pages41 roadmapsFree, no account

I want to be exempted from the broadcasting contribution, I have received mail from the Beitragsservice, or I am being asked to pay

Broadcasting contribution (Rundfunkbeitrag): how an exemption for people on social benefits, a hardship application or the reduction with the RF mark (Merkzeichen RF) usually works. Also: what to do about registration, assessment notices, reminders and enforcement, and how to report a move, second home, shared flat or death correctly.

How the roadmap works. Answer the questions. Your roadmap is built from your answers. It shows which applications usually come into consideration in your situation, which deadlines are running and where to get help. Important: an exemption is granted only on application. It can take effect retroactively for three years at most. If you leave mail from the Beitragsservice unanswered, you risk surcharges and enforcement.

Your answers are not stored or transmitted; they only appear in your browser's address bar. Anyone who shares the link also shares the answers. Legal position as of November 2026: Interstate Broadcasting Contribution Treaty (Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag, RBStV, in particular §§ 2–4a, 7, 8, 10, 11), statutes of the state broadcasters on the procedure for paying the broadcasting contribution, broadcasting contribution €18.36 per month (as of November 2026; an increase from 2027 is recommended but not decided, and proceedings are pending before the Federal Constitutional Court), VwGO and the administrative procedure acts of the federal states, ZPO (protected bank account), BGB (limitation periods), SGB II as amended since 1 July 2026 (Grundsicherungsgeld).

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As of November 2026. The roadmap arranges general information according to your answers. It does not review an individual case, does not replace legal advice and does not assess your dismissal or any deadline as valid, met or missed. Whether an entitlement exists is decided by the responsible office; deadlines and amounts change often – check important details with an advice centre.

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On a decision, deadline, application or responsibility. You get an answer with the matching page, the responsible office and the next step, usually within two working days. No legal advice in individual cases, no sharing of your data.