People walking in front of a government office building

Registration3 min readLast verified August 2026

The TV Tax (Rundfunkbeitrag) Explained

The Rundfunkbeitrag is Germany's mandatory €18.36/month broadcasting licence fee. Every household pays it, regardless of whether you own a TV.

Related guides

Registration

How to Register Your Address (Anmeldung)

The Anmeldung is your first and most critical bureaucratic step in Germany. Without it, you cannot open a bank account, receive your tax ID, or access most public services.

Read guide

Registration

Getting Your Tax ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer)

Your German tax ID (IdNr) is an 11-digit number automatically assigned after your Anmeldung. You need it for employment, tax refunds, and pension contributions.

Read guide