Broadcasting fee - apply for a reduction

You must apply in writing to the responsible authority for a reduction in the broadcasting fee. Use the prescribed form for this. You can obtain it from towns and municipalities and from the relevant authorities.
You can also fill it out online on the Internet. Print out the form at the end of the application process and sign it. Enclose the required evidence and send your documents by post.

ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Contribution Service
50656 Cologne

• Homepage ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Contribution Service

You have a severely disabled person's pass with the mark "RF" and belong to one of the following groups of people:

• You are blind or permanently and substantially visually impaired: Degree of disability (GdB) of 60 percent due to visual impairment alone
• You are hearing impaired, deaf or you cannot communicate sufficiently even with hearing aids
• You have a disability and are therefore permanently unable to participate in public events and the degree of disability is permanently at least 80 percent

A reduction in the broadcasting fee or an exemption from the obligation to pay the broadcasting fee may also apply to other persons in your home. Your spouse or registered partner and your children up to the age of 25 do not pay an additional contribution if they live with you.

A clearly legible copy of one of the following documents is suitable for the reduction of the broadcasting fee:

• Certificate from the authorities confirming the award of the RF mark
• Severely disabled person's pass (front and back) with RF mark

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

• for deaf-blindness:
  • Specialist medical certificate of deaf-blindness
  • Severely disabled person's pass (front and back) with the mark TBI (deafblind)
  • Severely disabled person's pass (front and back) with the mark Bl (blind) and Gl (deaf)
  • Severely disabled person's ID card (front and back) with the mark Bl (blind) or Gl (deaf) together with a specialist medical certificate for the other disability
  • Certificate from the pension office on the degree of hearing and visual impairment
• for recipients of assistance for the blind:
  • Certificate from the authority
  • Grant notice (the following information must be visible: which benefit is granted, the name of the beneficiary and the benefit period).
• For special welfare beneficiaries
  • Certificate of the determination of "special welfare beneficiary"

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

Application procedure and examination: none

The reduction of the broadcasting fee begins on the first 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.

The duration depends on the validity period of the proof submitted.

• Interstate Broadcasting Treaty (RBStV)

• Forms
• Apply for exemption or reduction

If you have a disability and receive certain state social benefits, you can receive an exemption instead of a reduction. With proof from the relevant authority, you can apply for exemption from the broadcasting fee if you receive these benefits, for example

Unemployment benefit II,
social assistance,
basic income support or
BAföG.

You can find a complete list of all social benefits on the Südwestrundfunk website.

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

The broadcasting fee replaced the license fee on January 1, 2013.

17.04.2019