GEZ TV license fee for satellite dish & receiver

Hi All,

I was wondering that GEZ charges you of HAVING a radio or a tv at your premises, does this valid for dish / sat receiver too??

Regards,
Bhupesh Gahrotra

Not sure if I understand your question. If you have a TV, you have to pay GEZ, regardless of how you receive broadcastings, what you watch with it or if you even use it.
If your question is whether you need to pay GEZ for a having sat dish/receiver but have no TV (nor any other viewing device you could connect w/ your sat receiver), you do not need to pay GEZ, the same way you do not need to pay GEZ when you have cable but no TV.

If I am paying GEZ for my TV and radio and have a sat receiver installed, then???

without knowing for sure, i think there is no change. you pay for radios and tvs, nothing else (until that PC thing comes in)

as Oli says, you pay for the TV and Radio, irrelevant how you receive the broadcast (whether it be terrestrial antenna, cable or satellite). You even have to pay, even of your TV is not connected. You will NOT have to pay extra for having a dish and reciever.

Thanks for the information. Actually I came to know that the charge I am paying is for the HARDWARE bought by me...

As you all said, irrespective of me using it...

I just have to pay GEZ, if I have TV and Radio at my home... (heard that computer too adding to the list)

Similarly, I just wanted to know whether for Sat receiver, do they have similar kinda rule...

Someone who have dish installed, is he / she paying to GEZ??

-Bhupesh

would anyone have a dish installed and no TV?

If you literally just have a dish then as far as I know you don't need to pay. Seems a bit impractical/Waste though to have a dish and no viewing apparatus

I beleive you need to pay for each radio you own too... even the one in your car..

Just pay it...

G

Another question - As I understand it, the GEZ TV fee is to pay for receiving public broadcasts therefore is it correct that I would not have to pay for a TV licence if I do not have a tuner (i.e. no means of receiving broadcasts)?
This would be a TV with no tuner or a projector etc. to be used to watch DVD.

A TV without a tuner is simply a monitor. There is GEZ fee for monitors and projectors.

This would be interesting to check actually. Following scenario: you have a satellite receiver (for which there is no GEZ, afik) connected to a projector (for which there is no GEZ). Would you have to pay?

If you are paying the standard GEZ, of one TV and one radio, you can in fact have as many TVs and radios as you want if you are living in a private household.

Thanks for the info...

I take it you mean "There is no GEZ fee for monitors and projectors"?

I think for any scenario where you cannot receive public TV signals (like the example in your post) you would not have to pay the licence, since the licence is for the ability to receive public broadcasts.

yes and no. The license is for the possession of a television and/or radio. It actually has little to do with the abilitiy to receive public service broadcasts, although the funds raised do go to the public service broadcasters.

I could have my satellite receiver tuned in to astra 28,2 where i can pick up no German public broadcasts but i would still have to pay GEZ if the receiver was connected to a TV, even if that TV was not connected to any other aerial.

In theory you are required to pay a fee for every receiver or device capable of receiving radio or TV transmissions that you own. The charge is €5.52/month for a radio receiver and €17.03/month for a TV receiver. In practice, for private households, however, they only charge you a maximum of €17.03/month. Businesses must still pay for every device. Monitors and projectors don't have receivers and do not count. Radios, portable radios, car radios (registered to the same household), PC-TV tuners and satellite receivers all do count (because they are capable of receiving the transmissions), even if they are not in regular use, or are not used for the reception of German private or public transmissions. Married couples, or couples living together "as married" only pay one fee for all their shared devices. Indivuduals in a home, e.g. a flat-share, are each responsible for their own devices. Children living at home, but earning above a certain limit are also responsible for their own devices (which often includes a car radio if they have one in their car)

YL6

Every heard of Satt. based Internet??? Or HAM Radio via Satt.
No TV Required for either one of those.. However with the HAM Radio setup you will stiill be required to pay GEZ.

Hi folks,

I live in Berlin (pls no hissing & spitting).

I have been trying to get to the bottom of this problem for some time; i.e., Monitor with a satellite STB.

EU Member states that employ the TV licence run their schemes in a very similar way. You pay for a licence when you own a TV or Radio or have a device that contains either or both. Very simply something that is standard and bought in a shop. This I can follow.

However, finding info on the liability of a satellite receiver is numbing my nuts. All these 'licence' websites, including Germany, do a very good job in foggy-management: saying just enough to drag you in and not enough to show you the way to the exit.

I have a monitor and a video player: I removed all the tuner/IF gubbins myself. Do not need a licence: good.

I told the GEZ I didn't have a TV - so they registered me for a TV and Radio? In their cover letter they clearly list the devices that need a licence.

So, my Q to all is: does anyone know for sure whether a satellite STB needs a licence?

Or, will I have to do what I always have done here: Assume that I know all the regulations in Germany without being told any of them - and be ready to be told as much when something goes titsup.

Thanks in advance,

Mark.

It's quite clear (from www.gez.de):

i.e. if you are registering (and many don't), then you need to pay for both TV and radio...

The way GEZ collect their money is complete bullshit as far as I'm concerned. They basically charge you GEZ for anything now - including monitors and speakers??

So why not charge for microwave ovens and vacuum cleaners? You have as much chance as receiving ZDF on your toaster, as you do a pair of speakers.

In my opinion, they should either abolish the GEZ and take public broadcast funding out of general tax revenue. Or charge every single household. If they did that, then they would be able to reduce the cost and a higher percentage of the money raised would actually go to improving the broadcasting, as you wouldn't need to employ anyone to do the house to house checks, or worry about sending out questionnaire after questionnaire to everyone.

The worst thing of all is that despite paying a lot of money, the quality of the programming on TV and radio is utter, utter crap. Having to pay for that is what I object to the most.

Hi, thanks for the replies.

I understand the GEZ when they state that they don't care where the signal comes from - that's because the GEZ/The Law assumes that we've all toddled-off to a MediaMarkt type store at some point to purchase an off-the-shelf TV which comes with some kind of tuner element in it.

Sorted. TV => Licence.

For the sake of clarification - I don't have a TV. Further, let's replace the word 'Monitor' with 'PC Monitor' to make it even easier. Cool, that's sorted - neither require a licence; since, technically, there is no difference between what I have and what you are looking at while you read my post. You might find this interesting

Totally OT: 2007 and the introduction of a licence for a PC with an 'internet' connection is clearly taking the piss and I hope there are riots. Sorry, back to the post.

Then everything is ruined with Yorkshirelads last quote - I'll be honest an english translation would be appreciated. My German is basic and I have tried to untie what the GEZ are getting at. Albeit, at the last count, I thought they were referring to 'monitor-speakers' (like the 15 you might find dotted around a bar). The same could apply to multiple monitors in that respect. No idea.

A licence for speakers? There must be more to explain the conditions; else, I agree with Hazza's post. Certainly it makes no sense.

As for the law:

The 5. Rundfunkänderungsstaatsvertrag simply states
You can read more, in english here or in German here (scroll to top for overview)

Back to my original question: does a satellite STB require a licence

Have Fun,

BarMoo.

Sorry - let me help:

I've been harbouring over my reply for some time. I either come across as a prick or a naive anal retard. Whatever.

Sticking to the quotes kindly translated by YL, the first is pretty much clear as it is inline with the 5. Rundfunkänderungsstaatsvertrag §12(2).

The second makes no sense (there is no bracketed text in the German version). With all the best intentions in the world, the context of it (translated or otherwise) makes no sense to me. My funny translator program thought as much too. "Radios are also loudspeaker or monitors, when she as discrete listening- or Sehstellen [visual - stand] operated become."

If the senario is/was such that: when a monitor or speaker(s) is/are connected to a device that has the ability to receive, I would go with the flow. But, it doesn't say that - does it More to the point, I don't think the original German text implies it either.

I'll carry on the homework until I hear what I want to hear. See what I mean about the naive anal thing.

My original Q regarded my Sat STB. Its now been cleared-up (not only with the help of Yorkshirelad) that the GEZ don't regard the means of decoding as the sole reason for registration: unless the decoder element (analogue or digital) happens to be in your telly or radio; which pretty much covers every tv and radio in the land. Fine. This is probably why there isn't a satellite STB checkbox on the GEZ form (sic).

Musings: Why can't the GEZ form have an array of checkboxes to fit every senario? So what if they have to bite their lip and write back - "Dear Mr. Smartypants - it is with regret that we find no reason for you to register and pay" - shit, now I am being dumb, LOL.

Whatever. Totally OT: let's be thankful that there isn't a Mobile Phone Licence. Trying to convince them I don't have one, would probably send them into cyclonic whirl-wind. BTW I really do not have a mobile phone, and i'm certainly not gonna tell anyone either. Bugger, I just did.

Any news and I'll post it right here - oh, and a final thanks for your input folks.

Have Fun,

BarMoo.

Let me interpret, rather than translate the second quote:

"Loudspeakers and Monitors are also considered as Radio and TV devices (for the purposes of GEZ) when used for the listening or viewing of Radio and TV programmes"

Ergo (combining the two quotes), if you are watching (any) TV or Radio using a satellite receiver (STB) and loudspeakers/monitor then you are liable to GEZ, should you desire to pay it. GEZ does not consider what (or even if) you watch, only your ability to receive/watch TV transmissions, irrepsective of their source... It's a catch-all

Sorry YL, I am going to have to be really anal on this.

A translation, as opossed to an interpretation, is surely the order of the day? We are all guilty at some point of interpreting the law - but, what matters in the end is what is on the books (statute). I hope you can bide my stubborness.

Actually, I am not trying to wriggle out of my duty to pay: save for the fact that , yes, I have a monitor and a bloody sat receiver that can only receive Audiovisual Media Services from the UK - that are produced, uplinked, transmitted and governed by UK law. Even the satellite frequencies at that location are governed by UK law.

I really cannot interpret the regulations as you do. We could go on for hours; albeit, I really do appreciate how you are trying to clarify things.

IHMO laws are specific. Yet, I have not found anything in the 'Gesetz' that tallies external receiving devices with a monitor. Whether the GEZ are generally allowed to add new stuff adhoc to the basics - I wouldn't have an clue; since my German sucks on a 'Gesetz' level. That said, the only ammendments I have noted is the upcoming liability of PC's with an internet connection and the UMTS phone thing.

The 5. Rundfunkänderungsstaatsvertrag is clear as the basis for general regulation/law. I have no quibble with it whatsoever. Indeed, further into the text - the regulations regarding TV advertising are, I reckon, some of the most restrictive I have ever seen. But, that's by-the-by.

The reason why the law is so vanilla bland on this is only because everyone follows the yellow umbrella. But, hey, law is like that sometimes. Yet ...

I am being asked to pay for something I absolutely do not have or want.

Clearly the sticking point (my starting point) will always be the Sat STB. Else, an inspector would not have a problem with my setup.

Ultimately, it might go to court, but I hope that before then - the GEZ will determine that a fixed satellite dish which is not pointing toward the location for receiving programmes (as defined by this Member State's law) is just as good a setup as a monitor with a playstation.

Its all rather pathetic: imagine the questions - "Herr Smartypants, do you or have or have you ever received german programmes". Er, No. Actually, I don't even know what time the news is on here - I will guess at 6'o'clock. I get my news from the DW website usually around this time ;-)

Yawn, seems like it would have been easier to fly to Munich and natter over a few pints, get nowhere, but still have a good natter, LOL.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have Fun,

BarMoo.

Well crawl out of your arse and come back to reality. Firstly look at the linguistics. It's sometimes possible to translate literally, sometimes only meaning. I've done both, and they come to the same conclusion. As far as law is concerned, then this is not a perfect science, and always open to interpretation. That adds a third dimension. As far as the GEZ is concerned, from both text and meaning, then a satellite system and monitor is licensable (and believe me, I've had enough discussions about it with GEZ authorities). It doesn't matter what channels you receive, or from where, or for that matter if you even switch the system on. Posession of the necessary equipment is sufficient. If you don't agree with their interpretation, then you should appeal yours. Let's not forget, of course, that as far as UK is concerned, it's only a lucky technical co-incidence you can receive BBC or ITV channels here outside of the UK (and they would much rather you could not!), and as far as Sky is concerned it is contractually illegal in any case...

YL6

I'm curious.

I spend about half of my week south of the border in Austria.

In Austria, many people do not pay the tax, for whatever personal reason they have, just like in D-Land.

I don't necessarily want to advocate law breaking, but in Austria, the buzz is that no one ever needs to open their door to anyone, so many don't and hence they are able to conceal their use of a TV.

I know that laws are different in Germany ever so slightly, but in Austria, possession of a TV is not grounds for TV/radio tax.

I did unwittingly open my Austrian door to the guys, although I had already fully intended to pay the tax, it was like a bad script, I had just got this enormous TV from a friend at a party the night before, and driving home at 4 in the morning, I figured I would take it out of the car and bring it in so I wouldn't have to deal with it in the morning.

The TV tax boys knocked at 8am, and I let them in, in a matter of speaking, they did walk right past me when I opened the door, I guess they have the right to do that. (I was in pajama pants, no top).

Anyway, they saw my TV sitting there, not plugged in yet, but near a socket.

I explained to them I just got it the night before and they believed me, and then I made a deal that I would register it right then and there with them in their presence.

So, it was kind of like a very convenient event.

Just in the little conversation I had with them (I highly recommend if you are going to open the door to local authorities to be underdressed), they said that in Austria not every TV needs to be registered only the ones positioned for use. In Austria, TVs in a closet somewhere or in a box, basically stowed, need not be registered at all (caution: word-of-mouth) accordingly to what they were telling.

Because I rarely watch TV in my Germany part of the month, I never really bother with the issue, but I will get one there, and I quite like to find exactly what the deal is, since I find expat word-of-mouth advice to sometimes be arbitrary at times.

This link might be helpful:

FAQ
http://www.gez.de/door/gebuehren/faqs/index.html

Exceptions
http://www.gez.de/door/gebuehren/gebuehren...iung/index.html

ps. You are in Germany. Learn German.

Well done!

BarMoo: Nobody in UK would be interested if I understood their laws or not, I just have to follow them. Same for you here. The german text (the citations, made by YL6, for itself too) are very clear concerning all items you discussed here, from the legal point.

Thanks for the tip!

You know when poster starts replying in Fuzzy Logic - your eyes begin to roll. A 3rd dimension? WTF? I know I ramble - but YL's last post is extraterrestrial.

Continuing the extraterrestrial theme for just a moment, did you know that Thomasino's post had the word 'Austria' in it 7 times. Actually it is six, plus an 'Austrian' (which includes 'Austria'). An Austrian per chance, LOL. Just a facetious observation, sorry ;-)

Whatever, everything hereafter is rhetorical; since, I actually attended the Bürgeramt today (holds a local GEZ Stelle I guess you would call it). I have decided not to share my joy. German melodramatics can only be experienced first-hand.

Let's just say that ... earlier today I had on my desk 1) a GEZ cover letter and 2) a GEZ registration form.

1) Cover letter: at the bottom it says this "Fernsehgerät (auch DVD-/Videorekorder, PC mit TV Karte)"

2) Registration form: asks - [Anzahl] Radio/Auto Radio [Anzahl] Fernsehgerät.

and, 3), in my head, The 5. Rundfunkänderungsstaatsvertrag §12(2). "§ 12 Finanzierung (2) Das Bereithalten eines Rundfunkempfangsgeräts begründet auch künftig die Rundfunkgebührenpflicht."

Got that? Good! So ...

How would I deduce from 1) + 2) + 3) that I have to register any flavour of STB - whether it be operated on its own or, indeed, if it were to be connected to a Monitor? The GEZ even helpfully expand the meaning of Fernsehgerät (within the parenthesis) to include more toys that contain a tuner.

In fact, they detail so few toys it beggars belief, doesn't it? Uumm, maybe there is a reason for that? (no more clues! goddamnit)

Yet, there is about 170sqcm of virgin space under that list where they could have provided more details, expanded the device list and even included various set-up senarios - like, 'STB' is, afterall, only three letters long.

I wonder why? New word: nefarious. (not a clue - just a word I use a lot here ;-)

That said, I can barely contain my excitement knowing that the PC/Internet law will come into force next year. How can I wriggle out of that one, hehe.

Have Fun,

BarMoo.

I think this prety much summed it up..

By sheer virtue that you have a PC and Intenet connection.. you need to pay the GEZ..

Just drink one less beer per day, and your GEZ bill pails into insignificance!

@Grinner: I swear you've sobbered-up your post since last night, LOL.

@YL6: I have heard it all before man. You're like a self-guiding "quote" mechanism. Don't people believe you down there? I am sorted: like the cat with the cream. Fertig! Fin! Finished.

P.S. Apologies. I should have made it clear that the Bürgeramt I went to was not in Munich.

As such, I'll stop hijacking your board and bugger off.

BarMoo.

Your questions have all been answered using the shortest monosyballic words we could find.

Case closed

BarMoo, give it a rest man!

If you don't believe what YL6 has to say on the subject you won't believe a word ANYONE has to say until the "Gerichtsvollstrecker" break down your door and take possession of all your nice and valuable possessions for non-payment.

Just face it, yo have to pay the bloody GEZ, just like each and every one of us!

OK, no bad vibes. I should fess-up I suppose.

You will love this. I am actually jobless right now and already have a freeby pass - better known as a 'Befreiung von der Rundfunkgebührenflicht'.

I do own a monitor and recently had a satellite STB sent over from the UK. I was genuinely interested in finding out if I had to register the sat STB. I am only registered because I had cable when I moved in.

I'll also fess-up to board-baiting YL6 after post #23 - his tone erked me.

But, I know my heinous behaviour will soon be forgotten: just as I know that the ice-cream cone of time will surely be dropped into the sewer of hope.

P.S. I was actually at the Bürgeramt yesterday to pick up my new, but totally unimpressive, "Bescheinigung über das gemeinschaftliche aufenhaltsrecht Gem. § 5 Freizügigkeitsgesetz/EU - FreizügG/EU" dinger. Aufenhaltserlaubnis - R.I.P. Sweet Hope all you EU bods are doing the same.

BarMoo.

If the tone of correctness hurts, then get to enjoy it. No problems from me, until, of course you ask another question only I can answer...

So, I registered with the good ol GEZ from March 1st - they sent me an bill and I paid it via the machine at the bank in March. It was for 3 months (Mar, Apr, May). Here it is July already and I have not received a second bill for Jun, Jul, Aug. Is this normal? When do they usually send them?

I have NOT signed up for auto deduction as I want to control when and if it comes out of my account, so they should be sending me another uberweisung (or what ever it is called) as they did before.

Thanks

If you pay manually you don't get any bill. You are expected to pay the quarterly fees by manual bank transfer mid-way through the quarter (latest 15th of the middle month) without reminder. If you fail to pay in time you will get a reminder, which will incur additional costs.

But I did get an uberweisung (again, or what ever it is called) the last time - just like I do for my Tcom.

But only the first time, as acknowlegement of your application... I believe you also get an Überweisung form if they are forced to send you a reminder...