Important radio contribution reform: one-time payment request 2025!

Important radio contribution reform: one-time payment request 2025!

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Deutschland - What is happening in the broadcasting contribution in Germany? From June 2, 2025, the ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio contribution service will fundamentally change the way in which payment requests are sent to the broadcasting contribution. Instead of the previous quarterly memory letters, the contributors who pay by bank transfer or permanent order will only receive a one -time one -off payment request in the future. This is in accordance with the reform that affects millions of households and focuses on bureaucracy reduction and increasing efficiency.

The broadcasting contribution in Germany is currently 18.36 euros per month, a total of 55.08 euros quarterly. This one -off payment request will include all payment dates for the entire calendar year and also applies in the following years [Merkur]. The responsibility of complying with payment appointments lies from the citizens from now on. If you miss a payment, the result of default surcharges could result in a challenge, especially for older people and households with several living seats.

significant changes in the overview

The most crucial changes are:

• one -time payment request for transfer payers from June 2, 2025.
• Regular payment requests are no longer.
• Payment dates are based on the month in which the obligation to contribute begins, around February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15th.
• Citizens' allowance recipient can be released from the fee retrospectively; Pensioners can also be freed from the fee under certain circumstances.
• recommendation to participate in the SEPA direct debit to ensure punctual payments.

The old system, which sent souvenir letters four times a year, will soon be a thing of the past. According to press.rundfunkbitte.de should significantly reduce the administrative effort and resources such as paper and Save postage. But the personal responsibility of the households is increasing: If you don't have the appointments in mind, you risk additional costs.

The radio contribution in political discourse

There is currently an ongoing discussion about the amount of the broadcasting contribution and the structure of public service broadcasting. The planned increase to 18.94 euros from January 2025 was initially stopped by the federal states, which is reported to many citizens [NADR]. Despite this positive news, there is always criticism of the number of channels and the high level of staff within the institutions.

A total of about 29 % of the contributors are dependent on the transfer system, while 71 % already use the SEPA direct debit. Nothing changes for the latter due to the reform. The administrative expenditure amounted to around 183 million euros in 2023, which are to be reduced by the reform.

The upcoming change raises many questions, not only with regard to compliance with payment dates, but also with regard to the political discourse on the radio contribution. It remains to be seen how those affected and politics will react to the changes.

The official websites are available for more information: nadr and press.rundfunkbeard.de .