Private reception

Private reception is defined as reception of the corresponding programmes by the person registering and those who live in the same household, plus their guests.

Household/Communal dwellings

The household is the starting point for private radio/television reception.

A completed registration applies to all equipment in the registrant's household.

Moreover, mobile and fixed equipment in vehicles, caravans, ships, etc. is included in the registration. Equipment used by the registrant himself or herself at the workplace is also included in the registration.

The "household" unit is in principle subject only to a single registration and fee payment for private reception – communal dwellings also fall within this group.

If two or more registered and fee-paying persons move into a common household, only one of them remains obliged to register and pay the fees. The other person or persons must accordingly inform Billag AG in writing that they have moved in together.

In the case of sub-letting, the sub-lessee is additionally subject to the obligation to register and pay fees.

Weekly residents

In order to be subject to the obligation to register and pay a second licence fee for their second home, the occupant must spend three nights or more per week during half the relevant period (minimum of three months).

Example: students

Week-end / holiday homes and dwellings

These privately used households are covered by the registration for private radio/television reception at the place of residence.

Regarding sub-letting, see:

The rental to individuals outside the own household has to be reported separately.

Further information:

Permanent hotel guests

A permanent guest is defined as a person who stays at the hotel for more than three months. In the case of permanent guests, the hotel room is assessed as a household and the persons are therefore subject to the obligation to register. The hotel is independently subject to the obligation to register and pay fees for commercial reception.

Large / collective households

Large/collective households are defined as buildings with multiple more or less independent dwelling units in which the residents can use rooms in common but have the possibility of withdrawing to a private sphere which is accessible only to them.
In these large/collective households the residents are separately subject to the obligation to register. Moreover, if reception equipment is operated in rooms in common use, the large/collective household is obliged to register this (professional / commercial reception).

Examples: hospital staff accommodation, monasteries, student residences, old people's homes.

Private reception via the internet

According to the regulation which entered into force on 1 September 2008, registration with Billag AG for private reception of radio programme services via the internet is required if:

  • the household has reception via ISDN or a broadband connection (e.g. ADSL, cable network);
  • corresponding software (e.g. Media Player, RealPlayer) enables reception.

If this is the case and there is no other radio equipment in the household, there is an obligation to register for reception of radio programme services.

According to the regulation which entered into force on 1 September 2008, registration with Billag AG for private reception of television programme services via the internet is required if:

  • the household has a broadband connection (e.g. ADSL, cable network);
  • corresponding software (e.g. Media Player, RealPlayer) enables reception.
  • the household has concluded a charged-for subscription for the reception of television programme services or has registered with a provider who provides access to TV programme services free of charge.

If this is the case and there is no other television equipment in the household, there is an obligation to register for reception of television programme services.

Specialist staff
Last modification 27.04.2010

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