Does everyone in a flat share have to pay the Rundfunkbeitrag?

No. The fee applies once per dwelling. One person pays, the others deregister, and the flat splits the amount among themselves.

How much is the Rundfunkbeitrag per person in a flat share?

The fee applies per dwelling and is €18.36 a month (as of 27 October 2026). With an equal share, two people pay €9.18 each, three people €6.12 each and four people €4.59 each per month.

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Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee) in a shared flat in Germany

In Germany, every dwelling pays the Rundfunkbeitrag, the broadcasting fee for public radio and television, once, not once per person. This guide explains who has to pay, how flatmates deregister when someone already pays, and how to split the cost. It gives an overview and is not legal advice. What the Beitragsservice (the contribution service of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio) writes is what counts. Its letters and forms are in German.

By Abubakar Abditube (ManaWG) · Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026

One fee per dwelling

In the private sphere, § 2 para. 1 of the Rundfunkbeitragsstaatsvertrag (RBStV, the state treaty on the broadcasting fee) requires a fee for every dwelling, payable by the holder of the dwelling. The holder is every adult who lives in the dwelling themselves (§ 2 para. 2). A person is presumed to be the holder if they are registered there under residence registration law (see Anmeldung in a shared flat) or named as a tenant in the tenancy agreement. According to the Beitragsservice, the number of people who live in the flat has no effect on the amount.

A flatmate already pays: how to deregister

If someone in your flat already pays, you do not need a contribution account of your own. In that case, deregister yours. It helps to have the name and the Beitragsnummer (contribution number) of the person who pays ready, so ask them first. Your own number is on the letters from the Beitragsservice, for example on the registration confirmation or the account statement, and has nine digits. Deregistering is done with the form “Wohnung abmelden” (deregister a dwelling) on rundfunkbeitrag.de and is only possible under certain conditions. The form tells you which details it asks for. Reply to letters from the Beitragsservice so that no second account is left open for the same dwelling.

Splitting the fee

The fee is €18.36 a month per dwelling. Payment every three months is the norm, which is €55.08 a quarter. On request you can also pay every six months (€110.16) or yearly (€220.32) in advance. The table shows the amount with an equal share for everyone (as of 27 October 2026, according to rundfunkbeitrag.de). If the fee changes, recalculate. You can find the current amount on rundfunkbeitrag.de. How to split electricity, internet and back payments is covered in utilities and internet.

Rundfunkbeitrag per person with an equal share
People	Share per month	Share per quarter
2 people	€9.18	€27.54
3 people	€6.12	€18.36
4 people	€4.59	€13.77

Basis: €18.36 a month, €55.08 a quarter for the whole dwelling. As of 27 October 2026.

Who is liable

Under § 2 para. 3 RBStV, several people liable for the fee are jointly and severally liable, in line with § 44 of the Abgabenordnung (AO, the German fiscal code). Under § 44 para. 1 AO, each joint debtor owes the whole amount unless something else is provided. So if a fee is outstanding, the Beitragsservice can turn to any person who counts as a holder, even if you split things differently among yourselves. Agree who pays the fee, and settle shares between you.

Moving out and changing the payer

Anyone who moves out should tell the Beitragsservice. Under § 7 para. 2 RBStV, the obligation ends at the end of the month in which the person stops holding the dwelling, but not before the end of the month in which this was reported. If you do not report it, you may carry on paying. If the paying person moves out, the dwelling is still liable. Agree in good time who pays from then on, and report it using the forms on rundfunkbeitrag.de so that the contribution number and the direct debit belong to the right person. More on moving out is in the moving-out checklist.

Exemption

An exemption or reduction is not automatic. It is only granted on application, with proof. The Beitragsservice sets out on its page about exceptions who is entitled and under what conditions, and its English pages explain the main cases, including students on BAföG (student finance). One person’s exemption does not usually cover their flatmates. If anyone in the flat is not exempt, the fee for the dwelling is still due, and that person pays it. You apply using the form “Befreiung oder Ermäßigung beantragen” (apply for exemption or reduction). If in doubt, ask the Beitragsservice how one person’s exemption affects the dwelling.

As a fixed cost in ManaWG

Set the fee up in shared expenses as a fixed cost: amount €55.08, interval “Quarter”, under “Paid by” the person who pays, and the split “Equally” among everyone taking part. Use the next direct debit date as the first due date. ManaWG then books the fee as an expense every three months automatically, and the shares go into the balance. If you pay yearly, choose the interval “Year” and enter the annual amount.

Frequently asked questions

How do I deregister if my flatmate pays?

Using the form “Wohnung abmelden” on rundfunkbeitrag.de. You need your own contribution number, and deregistering is only possible under certain conditions. Also have the name and contribution number of the paying person ready. The form shows what details it asks for.

Who is liable if the fee is not paid?

Several people liable for the fee in one dwelling are jointly and severally liable (§ 2 para. 3 RBStV, § 44 AO). The Beitragsservice can therefore turn to any person who counts as a holder of the dwelling.

Sources (as of 29 October 2026)

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