The Rundfunkbeitrag, explained

The Rundfunkbeitrag, once called GEZ, is a mandatory public broadcasting fee that funds Germany's public radio and television. The letters come from the Beitragsservice and are genuine, not a scam. You owe the fee even if you do not own a television or radio.

• The sender is the Beitragsservice, acting for the public broadcasters.
• It is charged per home (Wohnung), not per person or per device.
• It is mandatory once you have your own registered address.

It is about 18 euro a month per household. It is usually billed every three months, so roughly 55 euro per quarter. You can pay by direct debit (SEPA-Lastschrift) or by bank transfer.

Because it is per home and not per person, a single household pays one fee no matter how many people live there.

No. The fee is per Wohnung, so one contribution covers the whole flat. Only one person in the WG needs to register and pay, and flatmates share the cost between themselves.

Before you register or pay, clarify with your flatmates whether one of them already pays for the flat. If someone does, you are covered and should not open a second account. If no one does, agree who will register, so the flat is paid once and not several times.

If several people in the same flat have each opened an account, you can deregister the extra ones and point to the account that already pays.

• One registration per flat is enough.
• Flatmates split the cost privately.
• To cancel a duplicate, give the Beitragsnummer of the account that pays.

You are expected to register when you move into your own home. In practice the Beitragsservice usually contacts you automatically after your Anmeldung, because it receives new-resident data.

If you get a letter asking you to confirm your details, answer it, even if someone else in the flat already pays, so they can link your address to the existing account instead of opening a second one.

Some people can apply for an exemption (Befreiung) or a reduced rate. This includes students who receive BAföG, people on certain benefits such as Bürgergeld, and some people with disabilities.

You apply to the Beitragsservice with proof. An exemption is not automatic, so keep paying until it is confirmed in writing.

Do not ignore it, and do not panic. Reminders often cross with a recent move or a duplicate account. Reply in writing with your Beitragsnummer and proof of payment, and ask them to correct the account.

If the letter is about a flat you have already left, tell them your move-out date and your new address.

• Quote your Beitragsnummer in every reply.
• Attach proof of payment or your bank record.
• Give exact move-in and move-out dates.

Tell the Beitragsservice when you move. If you move to a home where someone already pays, give them that person's Beitragsnummer so you are not billed twice.

If you leave Germany for good, deregister your address (Abmeldung) and tell the Beitragsservice your move-out date so the account is closed. An open account can keep charging you after you have gone.