📻 Changes to the Radio and TV Fee Payments: No More Regular Reminders
As of June 2025, anyone in Germany paying the Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting license fee) by bank transfer will no longer receive regular payment reminders via post. The Beitragsservice of ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio is moving to a new system called the Einmalzahlungsaufforderung (one-time payment notification).
📻 🧾What is the Radio Tax?
The German radio tax is a mandatory broadcasting fee, which provides financial support for national broadcasters such as ARD, ZDF (first and second German television), and ARTE as well as regional public German TV and radio stations. This funding was designed to support the independence of public broadcasting services.
The fee or tax is collected by the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice. Property owners and tenants are required to register the new address at move-in. The amount of the contribution is currently €18.36 per month. It is expected to rise to €18.94 in 2025. The fee is determined by the the Public Broadcasting Fee State Treaty.
The license fee is not a subscription, but a mandated contribution, which must be paid by all private households. Anyone who is obliged to pay and does not comply with this obligation must expect enforcement measures. No radio and TV tax is levied for a second home.
💡 What’s Changing?
Under the new system, contributors will receive a single letter listing all future payment due dates. This replaces the previous practice of sending multiple invoices throughout the year. From then on, it’s up to each person to remember and make the payments on time.
📅 Payment Schedule Remains the Same
This fee can be paid monthly or pre-payments can bet set up. Those who prefer can still opt for quarterly, semi-annual, or annual advance payments. There is the option to pre-pay for this service as follows:
- €55.08 for three months
- €110.16 for six months
- €220.32 for twelve months
For example, the standard payment schedule would continue:
€55.08 every three months, due on the 15th of the middle month in each quarter. For example, if your payment obligation starts in January, your payment dates would be February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15.
✅ Prefer Not to Worry? Use Direct Debit
The Beitragsservice strongly recommends the SEPA direct debit option, which ensures payments are made on time automatically and adjusts for changes like fee updates or new bank details.
📲 Stay on Track
To help with remembering your due dates, you can download calendar reminders from rundfunkbeitrag.de/einmalzahlungsaufforderung or scan the QR code from the one-time letter to save dates directly to your phone.
📌 This shift is part of an effort to increase efficiency and sustainability in the collection of the public broadcasting fee, which supports services from ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio.
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