A letter demands the broadcasting fee — and I have no TV

It is a real, legally mandatory fee — but you likely owe far less than the letter implies.

1. One fee per dwelling (Wohnung), not per person. If you share a flat and a flatmate already pays, you owe nothing — reply with their Beitragsnummer to be removed. Only one household member pays.
2. Owning no TV does not exempt you — since 2013 the fee is per household regardless of devices. A radio, a phone, or nothing at all makes no difference.
3. Living alone or first to register? Register at rundfunkbeitrag.de; it is 18.36 euro/month, billed quarterly.
4. On BAföG or certain benefits? Apply for an exemption (Befreiung) with your award notice — it is free and often missed. Low income can also qualify for a reduction.
5. Never ignore it. Unanswered, it escalates to enforcement (Vollstreckung) with real consequences. Answering — even just "my flatmate already pays" — closes it.

Rule for next time: the Beitragsservice finds you through your Anmeldung — expect this letter within weeks of registering.