Broadcasting fee - apply for exemption

You must apply in writing to the competent authority for exemption from the broadcasting fee. Use the prescribed form for this.
You can obtain it

• from cities,
• municipalities,
• from the responsible authorities and
• on the Internet.

You can fill out the Internet form online. Print it out at the end of the submission process and sign it. Enclose the required evidence and send your documents by post to the relevant authority.

• Contribution service
• Contact form

• You receive state social benefits, for example:
  • Unemployment benefit II
  • social welfare
  • BAföG
  • basic income support
• or you are deaf-blind
• or receive assistance for the blind.

Please note:

You can apply for an exemption from the broadcasting fee as a special case of hardship if you do not receive any social benefits because your income exceeds the respective income threshold by less than EUR 17.50. If you are exempt from the obligation to pay the contribution, the exemption within the home also extends to

• your wife or husband
• your registered civil partner,
• children of the applicant or their spouse or partner up to the age of 25,
• the occupants whose income and assets have been taken into account when granting a social benefit.

A clearly legible copy of one of the following documents is suitable for exemption from the obligation to pay the broadcasting fee:

• Certificate from the authority
• Notice of authorization

It is imperative that all of the following requirements are evident from the evidence:

• Name of the beneficiary
• Which benefit is granted
• Benefit period

Please do not send any original documents to the Contribution Service. The return of documents cannot be guaranteed.

Application procedure and examination: none

The duration of the exemption depends on the validity period of the respective certificate.

The exemption begins on the first day of the month in which the validity period begins. Past periods can be taken into account retroactively for a maximum of three years from the date of application.

Exemption is granted at the earliest at the beginning of the month following the application.

• The Interstate Broadcasting Treaty
• § Section 72 of the Twelfth Book of the Social Code (SGB XII)
• § Section 27 d of the Federal Pension Act (BVG)

• Application form online

• Information on the exemption from the obligation to pay the broadcasting fee and on the reduction of the broadcasting fee (PDF)

17.04.2019