Rundfunkbeitrag im privaten Bereich Befreiung

If you receive state social benefits, you can be exempted from the broadcasting fee. The same applies to deaf-blind people and recipients of assistance for the blind.

Under certain conditions it is possible to apply for an exemption from the broadcasting fee. The following conditions exist:

You receive state social benefits, such as:

• Unemployment benefit II
• Social assistance
• BAföG
• basic income support
• or you are deafblind
• or you receive assistance for the blind.

You can also apply for exemption from the broadcasting fee as a special case of hardship if you do not receive social benefits because your income exceeds the respective requirement limit by less than the amount of the regular fee.

• Upon receipt of social benefits

  Proof of receipt of one of the above-mentioned social benefits in the original (notice of grant or certificate from the social benefit agency)

• For deafblindness
  • Current medical certificate of deafblindness in the original or
  • Severely handicapped person's identity card with the mark "Bl" and "Gl" or
  • Certificate of the pension office about the degree of hearing and visual impairment
• When receiving assistance for the blind

  Current notice of approval or certificate from the authority regarding the receipt of benefits in accordance with § 72 of the Twelfth Book of the German Social Code (SGB XII) or §27d of the Federal Pension Act (BVG).

• In cases of hardship
  • The notice of refusal from the social benefits agency in the case of a slight exceeding of the income limit as a special case of hardship
  • if necessary further proofs

• They receive government social benefits, such as:
  • Unemployment benefit II
  • Social assistance
  • BAföG
  • Basic income support
• or you are deafblind
• or receive assistance for the blind.

Notes:

You can apply for exemption from the broadcasting contribution as a special case of hardship if you do not receive any social benefits because your income exceeds the respective needs limit by less than EUR 17.50.
If you are exempt from the contribution obligation, the exemption within the home also extends to your wife or husband. The same applies to your registered partner.

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

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

You can fill in the Internet form online. Print it out at the end of the entry process and sign it. Attach the required supporting documents and send your documents by mail to the competent authority.

If you receive an exemption, it extends within the home at the same time to your wife or husband. The same applies to your registered partner.