German Broadcasting Licence Fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)
In Germany, the broadcasting license fees (Rundfunksbeitrag) finances all the public service broadcasters. Everyone Citizens, businesses, institutions and public interest bodies all contribute towards the licence fee, irrelevant to the fact that you have TV, Radio, Computer, Internet access or a Vehicle. Once you complete the city registration, you will receive the letter to pay the TV and Radio broadcasting fees in the form of Rundfunksbeitrag, communicating the payment details and the mode of payment.
Every household (regardless of whether it is capable to receive a broadcast) is obligated to pay a mandatory the broadcast license fee; as today’s technological advancements is indeed common to find at least one of the common broadcasting tools (receivers) like Internet, Radio or Television in every household. The ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragservice (Joint Institution) is responsible for the collection of all broadcasting licence fees in Germany, which is formerly GEZ (Gebühreneinzugszentrale).
The monthly license amount of €17,50 can also be payed quarterly, half yearly or yearly irrespective of whether it is a single family housing or a shared hostel/dormitory. Though it is quite rare, it is possible that upon a personal application addressed to the Beitragsservice, this fees could be cancelled.
Registration
Please register at www.rundfunkbeitrag.de or www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/buergerinnen_und_buerger/formulare/anmelden/index_ger.html
Change of personal information
You can make changes to your Name, address and bank account details online at www.rundfunkbeitrag.de. Upon relocation, please inform the Beitragsservice of your new address. You may deregister online, if you move in with someone who already pays the licence fees. In such case, please inform the Beitragsservice of your name and licence fee number, as well as the name and licence fee number of the registered person already paying for that residence.