Overview

• As of July 2025, households paying the Rundfunkbeitrag by bank transfer receive one consolidated annual letter with all payment deadlines for the calendar year, replacing four separate quarterly reminders.
• The monthly contribution remains €18.36 per household and any future changes to the fee amount or collection procedures will prompt a new written notification.
• Households must now track and meet deadlines without interim reminders, and consumer advice centers recommend switching to SEPA direct debit or setting up a standing order to prevent missed payments.
• Recipients of Bürgergeld can apply for retrospective exemptions and certain pensioners may qualify for reduced charges under existing social-benefit rules.
• The Beitragsservice says the new reminder model will cut administrative workload and save resources like paper and postage while ensuring steady funding for ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio.