Broadcasting fee for business premises: registration, costs and deadlines

Anyone who maintains their own business premises as an entrepreneur must register a broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) for these premises – graded by the number of employees, regardless of whether a radio or television is actually in use there. The obligation applies in principle to every business premises separate from the private household and cannot be avoided by having no receiving device on site.

In brief: under the German Interstate Broadcasting Fee Treaty (Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag, RBStV), every holder of business premises must register them with the Beitragsservice (the fee collection service) and pay a fee graded by number of employees – for 0 to 8 employees, this is a one-third fee of €6.12. Solo self-employed people who work exclusively from their private household, which already pays the fee, are exempt for the business premises. Anyone who fails to register risks back payments and a fine.

Who is affected?

Every entrepreneur with their own business premises outside the private household is affected – that is, with their own business space in which work is carried out. This includes classic offices, workshops, practices or retail units as well as smaller workrooms, as soon as they are physically separate from the private living area. Rented premises, branch offices or individual outlets are also in principle regarded as separate business premises and must be taken into account accordingly. Those who work exclusively from their own private household, which already pays the fee – for example in a classic home office without separate business premises – are as a rule exempt for the business premises, since the household is already covered by the private broadcasting fee. Company vehicles assigned to the business may also be subject to the fee – this should also be kept in mind when registering.

What do you need to do in practice?

First, you must check whether there are business premises subject to registration, and then register them with the Beitragsservice. The appropriate fee tier must be determined based on the number of employees: for business premises with 0 to 8 employees, a one-third fee of €6.12 applies. For planning purposes, it is worth documenting the number of employees regularly so that the registration matches the actual situation at all times. If your business has company vehicles that are subject to the fee, these must be registered in addition. A tool such as Company Audit shows you which obligations apply specifically to your business.

By when do you need to act?

No fixed registration deadline measured in days is specified separately for business premises – you must register as soon as your own business premises are actually in use, that is, at the latest when you start business activity in the new premises. You need to act again when things change: if the number of employees grows, the fee tier changes with it, and the registration should be updated accordingly. This applies in both directions – a falling number of employees can also affect the amount of the fee. If you do not report changes, you risk the Beitragsservice demanding the difference later.

What are the consequences of a violation?

If the business premises are not registered, back payment of the outstanding fee and a fine are possible. The same applies if an increased number of employees is not reported and the fee tier is therefore set too low: here too, additional demands may follow. In practice, such omissions often come to light only during a check by the Beitragsservice – fees must then be paid retroactively, in addition to a possible fine. Businesses are therefore advised not to postpone registration and to pass on changes in the number of employees promptly.

Step by step to registration

The following steps help to complete the registration fully and correctly:

1. Check whether there are business premises subject to registration (your own business space outside the private household).
2. Register the business premises with the Beitragsservice.
3. Determine the fee tier based on the number of employees.
4. If applicable, also register company vehicles that are subject to the fee.
5. Report changes in the number of employees to keep the tier up to date.

In practice, it is advisable to register the business premises at the same time as other business reporting obligations so that none of the deadlines is lost sight of.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay as a solo self-employed person working from home?

No, as a rule: those who work exclusively from the private household that is subject to the fee are exempt for the business premises, because the household is already covered by the private broadcasting fee. However, as soon as separate business premises are added, the registration obligation arises.

How high is the fee for small business premises?

For business premises with 0 to 8 employees, a one-third fee of €6.12 applies. As the number of employees grows, the fee tier rises accordingly, so that the fee due increases with company size.

Does a company vehicle count extra?

Yes, company vehicles may be subject to the fee in addition to the business premises and should be registered separately with the Beitragsservice so that the registration is complete.

What happens if the number of employees grows?

If the number of employees grows, the fee tier generally changes as well. If you do not report the change in time, you risk a later demand once the Beitragsservice establishes the actual number of employees.

What are the consequences if I forget to register?

If you do not register, back payment of the outstanding fee and a fine are possible. It is therefore worth registering early, right after moving into the business premises.

Source: German Interstate Broadcasting Fee Treaty (Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag, RBStV). This article is general information and does not replace legal advice in an individual case. As of: July 2026.