How much is the TV tax?

The German TV tax costs 18.36€ per household per month. Each household pays 18.36€/month. If you live with otheThe ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice collects the TV taxr people, only one person has to pay the TV tax.

Do I really have to pay it?

Yes. Every household must pay the TV tax. If you don't pay, the Beitragsservice will send a collection agency. It will be much more expensive and affect your Schufa score.

Some people try not to pay, and it rarely works. Some people went to jail because they refused to pay.

How to pay the TV tax

You don't need to register for the TV tax. When you register your address, the Bürgeramt tells the Beitragsservice, and the Beitragsservice collects the TV tax1.

Every 3 months, you get an invoice from ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice. In the envelope, there is a yellow paper with the payment information. If you choose to pay automatically, you don't get that letter.

1. Pay automatically

2. Pay by bank transfer

How to pay less

Students If you get financial aid (BAföG), you don't pay the TV tax.
Apprentices (Azubis) If you get financial aid (Ausbildungsgeld), you don't pay the TV tax. Most apprentices have to pay the TV tax.
**ALG II and Sozialgeld recipients** If you receive social benefits, you do not pay the TV tax.
People with disabilities If you have RF in your disabled person's pass (Schwerbehindertenausweis), you pay 1/3 of the fee. §5.3
Senior citizens If you live in a nursing home, or you get financial aid, you don't pay the TV tax. §3.2
Asylum seekers Residences for asylum seekers do not pay the TV tax. §3.2
Secondary residence You don't pay the TV tax for your secondary residence (Nebenwohnung). You must apply for an exemption. §4a