German Broadcasting Fee Increased to 18.36 Euros
Germany's Federal Constitutional Court has mandated an increase in the public broadcasting fee to 18.36 euros per month. The adjustment is effective from August 2021.
The public broadcasting fee in Germany will be raised to 18.36 euros per month, following a decision by the Federal Constitutional Court on July 20, 2021. This marks an increase from the previous rate of 17.50 euros.
The court's ruling came after public broadcasters ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio filed a constitutional complaint. Their complaint was a response to the failure of a media treaty amendment, which would have approved the fee increase, to pass a vote in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in December 2020.
The Federal Constitutional Court's decision mandates the adjusted fee of 18.36 euros until new legislation is enacted by lawmakers. The fee collection agency, ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice, began collecting the new amount in late August 2021.
Individuals who have already paid the former rate of 17.50 euros in advance will have the difference settled automatically through their next billing cycle. For those with direct debits, the adjustment will be processed automatically, although this may take several months depending on their payment schedule.