GEZ Letter in Your Mailbox? Here’s What to Do

What is the GEZ / Beitragsservice?

GEZ (now officially called ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice) collects the German broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag). If you received a letter from them, it’s about registering your household and paying the €18.36/month fee.

Types of Letters You Might Get

1. Erstanmeldung (First Registration) - They know you moved in (from your Anmeldung data) - They want you to register and start paying - Action: Register and pay. There’s no way around it.

2. Zahlungserinnerung (Payment Reminder) - You’re registered but haven’t paid - Action: Pay the outstanding amount immediately to avoid fees

3. Festsetzungsbescheid (Assessment Notice) - Official demand for unpaid fees + Säumniszuschlag (late surcharge) - Action: Pay within 4 weeks. You can file an objection (Widerspruch) if you believe the amount is wrong.

4. Mahnung (Final Warning) - Last step before debt collection - Action: Pay immediately or contact them to arrange a payment plan

Can You Avoid Paying?

Almost never. The fee is per household, not per person. The only exemptions are:
- BAföG recipients (students)
- Social welfare recipients (ALG II / Bürgergeld)
- Severe disability (Merkzeichen RF on your Schwerbehindertenausweis)
- If you already live with someone who is registered and paying

How to Respond

1. Don’t ignore it — it will escalate to court enforcement
2. Register online at rundfunkbeitrag.de
3. Set up SEPA Lastschrift for automatic quarterly payments
4. Keep your Beitragsnummer (account number) for reference

*Can’t understand your GEZ letter? Upload it to Clario for an instant plain-English translation with next steps.*