Payment Alterations for Transfer Contributors
Starting in June 2025, a significant change is coming for German households who pay their broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) via bank transfer. The Beitragsservice will no longer send monthly invoices as payment reminders, instead, these payers will receive a single letter called an "Einmalzahlungsaufforderung" (one-time payment request).
This letter will outline the deadlines for the annual broadcasting fee payments, replacing the previous system of regular invoices that served as ongoing reminders throughout the year. This change affects millions of households and essentially streamlines the payment notification process, requiring payers to track their payment deadlines without the benefit of periodic invoices.
Direct debit payers are not impacted by this change, as their payments continue to be collected automatically. To avoid missing a deadline, the Consumer Advice Center Mecklenburg-Vorpommern recommends setting up a standing order or switching to SEPA direct debit.
Contributors can set up a standing order with their bank or savings bank to ensure timely payments. Switching from transfer to SEPA direct debit allows the contribution service to collect the broadcasting fees directly from a contributor's account. It is important to note that even those who only own a radio or no broadcasting device at all have to pay the broadcasting fee.
The payment deadlines for the broadcasting fee are on February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 each year. The one-time payment demand lists all payment deadlines for the current calendar year at once. Contributors should keep the letter with the payment deadlines in a safe place for future reference.
Until the letter arrives, nothing changes for those affected. However, it is crucial for contributors to remember and meet the payment deadlines for the broadcasting fee. The recipients of the letter will be gradually expanded.
The legal questions regarding the broadcasting fee may be addressed by the Administrative Court. Broadcasting institutions welcome corresponding judgments that affirm the legitimacy of the compulsory levy. The contribution service has stated that there will be no more reminders from them after the one-time payment demand letter.
Those who pay the broadcasting fee by transfer have recently received a letter. The letter contains a one-time payment demand, replacing previous regular payment demands. Contributors should be aware that the reminder aids for transfer payers sent by the contribution service are being phased out.
The broadcasting institutions continue to support the legitimacy of the compulsory levy. This shift aims to streamline the payment process and encourages contributors to manage their payment deadlines more effectively.
In light of the approaching change in June 2025, individuals who pay their broadcasting fee via bank transfer will receive a single letter called an "Einmalzahlungsaufforderung." This letter will detail the deadlines for annual broadcasting fee payments, previously provided through monthly invoices, and will streamline the payment notification process. To prevent missing payment deadlines, customers are advised to consider setting up a standing order or switching to SEPA direct debit for more convenient and automated payments. This change does not affect direct debit payers, but all contributors, even those with only a radio, are required to pay the broadcasting fee.
