Suche
Mein Konto
Students breathe a sigh of relief: broadcasting fees will no longer apply from October 2025!
From October 2025, students and other groups may be exempt from the broadcasting fee under certain conditions. Find out everything you need to know about the new regulation.
Students breathe a sigh of relief: broadcasting fees will no longer apply from October 2025!
From October 1, 2025, new regulations for broadcasting fees will come into force. This reform allows a larger number of people to be exempt from paying the contribution. Students, recipients of citizen's money and other low-income groups in particular benefit from this measure. Until now, many students who receive BAföG were forced to pay the full monthly contribution of 18.36 euros, even if their income was very limited. Until now, only students who received additional social benefits were able to be exempted from paying the obligation Berlin newspaper reported.
With the new regulations, from October 2025, students who receive BAföG and no longer live with their parents can apply for exemption from the broadcasting fee. This represents a significant relief for many financially weak students who are often under pressure due to rising living costs. The hoped-for savings for this group are up to 220.32 euros annually, which can make a significant financial difference, especially at the start of the winter semester, which traditionally starts in mid-October.
The stakeholders at a glance
- Studierende, die BAföG beziehen und erstmals alleine wohnen.
- Empfänger von Bürgergeld (ALG II / Hartz IV)
- Empfänger von Sozialhilfe (SGB XII)
- Empfänger von Grundsicherung im Alter oder bei Erwerbsminderung
- Empfänger von Leistungen nach dem Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz
- Blinde und bestimmte schwerbehinderte Menschen mit dem Merkzeichen „RF“
In order to be exempt from the obligation to pay contributions, those affected must actively submit an application to the contribution service and provide appropriate evidence. BAföG recipients also have the option of exempting their spouses or registered partners from paying contributions. International students are generally not entitled to an exemption unless they receive BAföG or can demonstrate need. Hardship exemptions are also possible, but must be documented precisely in order to prove need.
The broadcasting fee is used to finance public broadcasting in Germany, which plays an important role in providing high-quality information and entertainment. It is based on a solidarity model in which all citizens contribute to the financing. In shared apartments, only one adult person has to register the contribution, while in student halls of residence, contributions must also be paid regardless of the room furnishings, as stated by the Ruhr24 explained.
To apply, the application should be filled out online, printed out and sent to the contribution service with the necessary evidence. The exemption applies from the month in which the application is submitted; Retroactive exemptions are only possible in exceptional cases. Overall, the upcoming reform means significant relief for many who find themselves in a financially strained situation, as the official information on the website of rundfunkteil.de summarizes.