Here's how

Thousands could now reclaim ORF fees

Austrians who also work at their registered address have had to pay double ORF fees until now. A lawyer who was affected himself has now secured a refund. A landmark decision for thousands of viewers? The "Krone" explains who could be entitled to a refund – and how it works.

ORF fees are a recurring topic of debate. On January 1, 2024, the new contribution law came into force, requiring every Austrian – with a few exceptions, of course – to pay 15.30 euros per month. In addition, there is an individual state levy. If you live in Styria, for example, this means a monthly cost of €20 per household, regardless of the number of devices.

This mainly affects one-person companies, the self-employed, and freelancers. Anyone who lives and works at the same address should definitely check.

Anwalt Andreas Kaufmann

Bild: Wulf Scherbichler

According to the lawyer, double payment was unjustified
However, many Austrians are being asked to pay twice. Namely, those who are registered at the same address for private and professional purposes. "These include self-employed people and entrepreneurs, freelancers such as doctors, lawyers, tax consultants, civil engineers, but also farmers and one-person companies," says Graz-based lawyer Andreas Kaufmann, president of the European Consumer Protection Association (EKV). This also applies in his case. Kaufmann considered the prescription to be inadmissible and lodged a complaint with the contribution service. The latter has now recognized in a decision that the double payment was inadmissible!

For the lawyer, it is absolutely clear that thousands of people must be affected and can reclaim fees paid since January 1, 2024. This has also been confirmed by ORF to the "Krone" newspaper: Exceptions to double payment have existed since the introduction of the household fee. It applies if:

• the entrepreneur has his main residence at the address,

• the company is liable for contributions at the same address,

• the private individual uses the accommodation themselves.

Anyone who does not want to pay twice in future must submit an application, which is available free of charge on theORF contribution service website.  

So far, so simple. However, anyone who also wants to reclaim the excess contribution they have paid to date, like the lawyer, must submit a separate application. To support those affected, Andreas Kaufmann is now taking matters into his own hands with the EKV: "We prepare standardized application and reclaim forms for a small fee." These will be available shortly atwww.ekv-europe.com.