Broadcasting fee - register for reduction

You must apply in writing to the responsible authority for a reduction in the broadcasting fee. Use the prescribed form for this. You can obtain it from towns and municipalities and from the relevant authorities.
You can also fill it out online on the Internet. Print out the form at the end of the application process and sign it. Enclose the required evidence and send your documents by post.

You can obtain the form for exemption from the broadcasting fee from the social welfare office of the Göllheim municipality.

You have a severely disabled person's ID card with the symbol "RF" and belong to one of the following groups of people:

• You are blind or permanently significantly visually impaired: Degree of disability (GdB) of 60 percent solely because of the visual impairment.
• You are hearing impaired, deaf or you cannot communicate sufficiently even with hearing aids
• You have a disability and are therefore permanently unable to participate in public events and the GdB is permanently at least 80 percent

A reduction in the broadcasting fee or an exemption from the obligation to pay broadcasting fees may also affect other people in your home. Your spouse or registered partner as well as your children up to the age of 25 do not pay an additional contribution if they live with you.

A legible copy of one of the following documents is suitable for the reduction of the broadcasting fee:

• Certificate of the authority about the award of the characteristic sign RF
• Severely disabled person's ID card (front and back) with characteristic sign RF

A legible copy of one of the following documents is suitable for exemption from the obligation to pay broadcasting fees:

• for deafblindness:
  • Specialist certificate of deafblindness
  • Severe disability certificate (front and back) with the mark TBI (deaf-blind)
  • Severely disabled person's ID card (front and back) with the symbol Bl (blind) and Gl (deaf)
  • Severely disabled person's ID card (front and back) with the symbol Bl (blind) or Gl (deaf) together with a specialist's certificate on the respective other disability
  • Certificate of the pension office about the degree of hearing and visual impairment
• For recipients of aid to the blind:
  • Certificate of the authority
  • Notice of grant (The following information must be evident: Which benefit is granted, the name of the beneficiary and the benefit period).
• for special care beneficiaries
  • Certificate of determination "special care beneficiary".

Please do not send any original documents to the Contribution Service. A return of documents cannot be guaranteed.

• Interstate Broadcasting Treaty (RBStV)

• Forms
• Information on exemption from the obligation to pay broadcasting fees and on reduction of broadcasting fees (PDF)

If you have a disability and receive certain government social benefits, they may receive an exemption instead of a reduction. With proof from the relevant authority, you can apply for exemption from the broadcasting fee if, for example, you receive these benefits:

Unemployment benefit II,
Social assistance,
Basic income support or
BAföG.

A complete listing of all social benefits can be found on the Südwestrundfunk website.

• Information on exemption from the obligation to pay broadcasting fees and on reduction of broadcasting fees (PDF)

The broadcasting fee replaced the license fee on January 1, 2013.

If you have a severely disabled person's ID card with the symbol "RF", you can receive a reduction in your broadcasting fee. You will then pay a reduced contribution of EUR 5.83.