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What does "Beitragsservice" mean in English?

Last updated on 14 March 2024

The ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice, often referred to as the “Beitragsservice,” is the organisation responsible for collecting broadcasting contributions in Germany. Literally translated, it means “ARD ZDF Germany Radio Contribution Service.”

What is “ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice”?

The Beitragsservice is a joint institution of Germany’s public broadcasting entities: ARD, ZDF, and Deutschlandradio. It is tasked with collecting the legally mandated broadcasting fee, known as the “Rundfunkbeitrag,” from residents, companies, and institutions within Germany. This fee funds the public broadcasting services, ensuring they remain independent of government influence and available to all citizens[1][2].

More information about “ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice”

The current fee is set at 18.36 euros per month for private households, regardless of the number of residents or devices used. The fee is determined by the heads of government of the federal states and ratified by state parliaments, not by the broadcasting corporations themselves. Special provisions allow for fee reductions or exemptions for certain groups, such as students receiving BAföG or individuals with severe disabilities[1][2].

Here are some additional terms that are related to the Beitragsservice:

  • Rundfunkbeitrag: The broadcasting fee that funds public television and radio channels in Germany[2].
  • BAföG: A state-supported financial aid for students, which can qualify them for an exemption from the Rundfunkbeitrag[3].
  • GEZ (Gebühreneinzugszentrale): The former name of the Beitragsservice, used until 2013[2].

The Beitragsservice plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality and independence of public broadcasting in Germany.

Sources

[1] https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/welcome/englisch/index_ger.html [2] https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/gez-rundfunkbeitrag [3] https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/welcome/englisch/students_and_apprentices/index_ger.html [4] https://allaboutberlin.com/glossary/ARD%20ZDF%20Deutschlandradio%20Beitragsservice [5] https://www.expatrio.com/about-germany/radio-tax [6] https://allaboutberlin.com/glossary/Rundfunkbeitrag [7] https://www.uni-saarland.de/en/global/welcome-center/first-steps/rundfunkbeitrag.html [8] https://housinganywhere.com/Germany/gez-in-germany [9] https://www.simplegermany.com/radio-tax-germany/ [10] https://www.settle-in-berlin.com/german-tv-tax-rundfunkbeitrag-ard-zdf-letter/ [11] https://www.studentenwerk-dresden.de/english/wohnen/faq-21.html [12] https://fintiba.com/moving-to-germany/general/accommodation/rundfunkbeitrag/ [13] https://deregistration.de/rundfunkbeitrag-gez-germany/ [14] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beitragsservice_von_ARD,_ZDF_und_Deutschlandradio [15] https://expats.de/en/gez-in-germany/ [16] https://www.iamexpat.de/expat-info/german-expat-news/rundfunkbeitrag-germanys-tv-tax-and-how-pay-or-legally-avoid-it [17] https://www.nomadenberlin.com/blog2/rundfunkbeitrag [18] https://www.international.hu-berlin.de/en/wissenschaftler/international-scholar-services/upon-arrival/radio-licence-fees/radio-licence-fees [19] https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Beitragsservice_von_ARD,_ZDF_und_Deutschlandradio [20] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARD_%28broadcaster%29