GEZ is the old name for the Rundfunkbeitrag – Germany's mandatory broadcasting fee, charged per household, not per person. Here's what the letters mean and what to do.
The Rundfunkbeitrag (formerly GEZ) is Germany's mandatory broadcasting fee — €18.36/month per household. It funds public TV and radio (ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandfunk). Every household pays it, regardless of whether you own a TV or radio. The letters come from the 'Beitragsservice' in Cologne.
They've registered your household for the fee. Check the start date. If you just moved to Germany, this often arrives within weeks of your Anmeldung.
Payment request. Shows how much you owe, usually 3 months at a time (€55.08). Set up a direct debit to avoid reminders.
Payment reminder with added late fees. They will eventually send this to collections (Vollstreckung) if unpaid.
Decision on your exemption request (e.g., if you receive BAföG or social benefits). Check if approved or denied.
No. The Rundfunkbeitrag is legally mandatory. Ignoring the letters leads to late fees, collection agencies, and eventually court orders. It can even affect your Schufa credit score. Many expats learn this the hard way.
The most common case: you already pay at another address, or you qualify for an exemption — but received a fee assessment anyway. Here is a short sample.
What to fill in:
A sample, not legal advice. For large amounts or court deadlines, talk to a tax advisor, lawyer or advice centre.
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