KEF Lowers 2027 Public Broadcasting Fee Recommendation to €18.64 as 2026 Stays at €18.36

Overview

• The revision trims 30 cents from an earlier €18.94 proposal, equal to €3.60 less per household per year than first planned.
• Any change will be considered by the Ministerpräsidentenkonferenz and requires Länder parliaments’ approval, with procedures shifting after 2026 toward an objection model.
• Current rules allow full exemptions for recipients of Grundsicherung, Sozialhilfe, Bürgergeld, certain care benefits, and eligible care‑home residents, but relief must be actively applied for with current proof.
• People with a severe‑disability ID bearing the RF designation qualify for a reduced monthly payment of €6.12.
• Falsely deregistering by claiming a move abroad can be uncovered through registry checks and may lead to back payments and administrative fines.