Moving Away? Here’s Exactly How to Deregister and Stop Paying the GEZ Fee

To stop paying the German public broadcasting fee, formerly collected by the GEZ, you must officially deregister your household with the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice. This is typically possible only if you are leaving Germany permanently or if you move into a household that is already paying. 

Steps to cancel your registration

1. Go to the online deregistration form
Navigate to the official Abmelden (deregister) page on the Beitragsservice website: rundfunkbeitrag.de

2. Select your reason for cancellation
Choose the appropriate reason for your deregistration. The most common reasons are:

• Leaving Germany permanently: Ich ziehe dauerhaft ins Ausland.
• Moving in with a registered household: Ich ziehe zu einem anderen Beitragszahler.
• Exemption for a secondary residence: Eine Befreiung oder Ermäßigung beantragen.

3. Fill out the form with your details
Provide your Beitragsnummer (service number), which you can find on any correspondence you have received from the Beitragsservice. The form also requires your personal information and the date you are moving or the date the new arrangement starts. 

4. Upload required documents
You may need to upload supporting documents, such as: 

• Proof of leaving the country: An Abmeldebescheinigung (deregistration certificate) from your local residents’ registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt).
• Confirmation of a registered household: The Beitragsnummer of the person who is already paying for your shared household. 

5. Submit the application
After filling out the form and uploading your documents, submit your application. It cannot be done over the phone or by email. The Beitragsservice will process your request and send you a written confirmation. 

Who can legitimately quit paying?

• You are leaving Germany: If you are moving abroad permanently, you are no longer required to pay.
• You are moving into a shared household: If you move into a flat or house where someone else is already paying the fee for the household, you can cancel your individual registration.
• You receive social benefits: Individuals receiving certain social benefits, such as unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld II) or student loans (BAföG), may be eligible for an exemption.
• Secondary residence: You can apply for an exemption for a second home if you already pay the broadcasting fee for your primary residence. 

Important to know

• Per household, not per person: The fee is charged per household, regardless of how many people live there or how many devices they own. You cannot claim an exemption by simply stating you don’t use public broadcasting services.
• Be sure to formally cancel: Merely closing your bank account or ignoring invoices will not stop the payments. The Beitragsservice will continue to pursue payment, adding fees until the issue is resolved.
• The old “GEZ” no longer exists: The system was reformed in 2013. The entity is now known as the “ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice,” and payment is a mandatory household tax, not a subscription service. 

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