ORF Contribution in Austria: Who Has to Pay?

2024. január 1-től megszűnik a GIS hozzájárulás Ausztriában. It is replaced by the ORF contribution, which in most cases must be paid by every Austrian household, regardless of whether it receives Austrian Radio and Television (ORF) channels.

The new system is based on the household’s registered address rather than on whether the household owns a television or radio. This guide explains who has to pay, how much the contribution costs and when an exemption may be available.

What was the GIS contribution?

The Gebühren Info Service (GIS) GmbH was the company responsible for collecting Austrian radio and television fees from 1998, working closely with the Ministry of Finance.

Under the previous rules, households had to pay the GIS fee for every device capable of receiving television or radio broadcasts. This applied even when residents did not watch or listen to ORF programmes.

The former monthly GIS fee varied by federal province, ranging from 22 euros 45 cents to 28 euros 65 cents.

What is the ORF contribution?

The ORF contribution is a new way of financing public media in Austria. It came into effect on 2024. január 1-től, with the ORF-Beitrags Service GmbH responsible for collecting the payments.

The contribution applies to households, not individual people. The number of people registered at an address therefore does not change the basic obligation.

How much is the contribution?

The ORF contribution is 15 euros 30 cents (€15.30) per month for each Hauptwohnsitz, or main residence. A possible federal-province charge may be added.

This is lower than the previous GIS fee. The ORF contribution does not have to be paid for a Nebenwohnsitz, or secondary residence, unless that address is someone else’s Hauptwohnsitz.

Who has to pay?

• One adult must be registered for every Hauptwohnsitz.
• The household must pay whether or not it has a television or radio.
• The number of people registered at the address does not affect the household’s basic obligation.
• A Nebenwohnsitz is generally exempt if it is not the Hauptwohnsitz of another person.
• If no one registers at a Hauptwohnsitz, the residents may be asked to complete their obligations, and someone must pay the contribution for that address.

How is the ORF contribution paid?

If you were already registered with GIS and paid the fees, you generally do not need to take any action. From 2024. január 1-től, the ORF-Beitrags Service GmbH automatically transfers your details to the new system.

The contribution is always paid in advance. For new registrations, the available payment methods are:

• Cheque: payment once a year.
• Bank transfer: instalment payments are possible two or six times a year.

Transition from GIS billing

If the second month of a two-month GIS advance payment would have fallen in January 2024, GIS bills only the December month in 2023. The second month is then included in the new ORF contribution.

As a result, the first invoice from the ORF-Beitrags Service may cover three months: one month from the old GIS system and two months of the new ORF contribution. After this transitional invoice, the next invoice returns to the usual two-month period.

If your last GIS invoice covered November-December 2023, the new ORF contribution starts with two months because the second GIS month does not need to be billed separately.

Who can apply for an exemption?

People who already had an exemption from the GIS fee do not need to submit a new application. They should be notified in writing before their exemption expires.

Newly registered households and people who have not previously used this option may also apply through ORF. Possible grounds for exemption include receiving:

• childcare allowance (Beihilfe zum Kinderbetreuungsgeld)
• a scholarship (Studien-/Schülerbeihilfe)
• unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld)

The online calculator can be used to check whether an exemption may apply: open the GIS (ORF) contribution calculator.

What happens with a Nebenwohnsitz?

No contribution is generally due for a Nebenwohnsitz. The exception is when the address is another person’s Hauptwohnsitz. In that case, the address is subject to the payment obligation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay if I do not own a television or radio?

Yes. Without an exemption, every Hauptwohnsitz household has to pay the ORF contribution from 2024. január 1-től, whether or not it has a television or radio.

Do existing GIS customers have to register again?

No. GIS customers who were registered and paid their fees do not need to register again. The ORF-Beitrags Service GmbH automatically transfers their details.

Where can I register?

Registration can be completed online through the GIS website. A personal visit is not required. An exemption application can also be submitted only after registration.

Practical steps

1. Check whether your address is a Hauptwohnsitz or a Nebenwohnsitz.
2. If you already had a GIS registration and paid the fee, wait for the automatic transfer to the ORF-Beitrags Service GmbH.
3. If you have a new Hauptwohnsitz, register one adult household member online through the GIS website.
4. Use the exemption calculator if you receive Kinderbetreuungsgeld, Studien-/Schülerbeihilfe or Arbeitslosengeld.
5. Choose a payment method and remember that the ORF contribution must be paid in advance.
6. Report changes to your name, address or bank account through the online form available to registered GIS members.