The fee, known to many as the TV licence or simply SERAFE, is the cost people forget when they compare TV subscriptions, and the question "do I still pay if I only stream?" has a simple answer. This post reads the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) and SERAFE, the collection agency, on who pays, how much and who is exempt (state: October 2026).
01
Who pays the radio and TV fee in Switzerland
One fee is due per household, and all adults in the household are jointly liable. It is a single flat fee with no distinction between radio and television reception. A person who has a household in Switzerland as a secondary residence, with their main residence elsewhere, must pay too. The legal basis is Articles 69 and 69a of the Federal Radio and Television Act.
02
Streaming, IPTV and devices: why nothing changes
The obligation does not depend on whether you own any equipment that can receive programmes. OFCOM names radios, TV sets, smartphones, tablets and computers with internet access, and says the fee is owed regardless. SERAFE adds that the fee is charged irrespective of which device you use, so streaming does not exempt you. An IPTV subscription, Zattoo or the SRG players therefore do not replace the fee, and cancelling your TV subscription does not end it.
03
How much the fee is
What SERAFE's page distinguishes; the current amounts are on that page:
| Household type | Now | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Private household | One fee per household | Lower from 1 January 2027, by order of the Federal Council |
| Collective household | A separate collective fee | Not stated on SERAFE's page |
| Invoice option | Annual, or quarterly; a paper invoice carries a small extra charge per quarterly bill | – |
04
Who does not pay
OFCOM and SERAFE name three groups that can be exempt:
- People who receive annual supplementary benefits from the Confederation in connection with disability or old age, on application and with the confirmation letter
- Households of deaf-blind people, provided that nobody liable for the fee lives in the household
- Diplomat households
06
New in Switzerland: do you need to register?
No. OFCOM states that private individuals no longer have to register or de-register, because municipalities and cantons pass the data on directly to SERAFE. The invoice lists the names of all adult household members who are liable. If the address data on an invoice is wrong, correct it with the residents' register. More on settling in is in TV for newcomers to Switzerland.
07
Where the money goes and a phishing warning
The fee funds the SRG and licensed local radio and commercial television channels, according to OFCOM. Both OFCOM and SERAFE warn about phishing: SERAFE does not send emails with links where you must enter data and does not ask for payment through apps such as TWINT.
08
Where to go next
See also Swiss TV abroad, IPTV scams and red flags and TV costs per month. For the whole picture, start from IPTV Switzerland: licensed providers compared.
Also useful: SERAFE exemption, The fee when life changes and The SERAFE invoice.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay the TV fee if I only stream?
Yes. The fee does not depend on any device or on how you watch, and a streaming or IPTV subscription does not replace it.
How much is the radio and TV fee in Switzerland?
A flat fee per household: private households pay one fee and collective households such as care homes a separate collective fee, according to SERAFE, whose page shows the current amounts. The private household fee is lower from 1 January 2027.
Do I have to register when I move to Switzerland?
No. According to OFCOM, municipalities and cantons pass the data on to SERAFE, so private individuals do not register or de-register.
Who is exempt from the fee?
On application, recipients of annual supplementary benefits (old age or disability), deaf-blind households and diplomat households. Social assistance recipients are not exempt.
Is a SERAFE email asking me to pay by TWINT genuine?
No. SERAFE says it does not send emails with links to enter data and does not request payments through apps such as TWINT.
Sources
Read next
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