Every household pays the radio and television fee, but the law names a few exceptions, and each has its own paper to send. This post sets out the three exemptions as the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) and SERAFE describe them (state: October 2026), what you must submit and what is not an exemption.
01
SERAFE exemption: the three groups
OFCOM and SERAFE name these households:
| Group | Condition | What to send | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplementary benefits | A person in the household receives annual supplementary benefits to old-age or invalidity insurance from the Confederation | The confirmation letter from the authority that pays the benefit | Art. 69b para. 1 let. a RTVA |
| Deaf-blind households | The household consists only of deaf-blind people, with nobody liable for the fee living in it | An application and a copy of a medical certificate | Art. 61 para. 4 RTVO |
| Diplomat households | Persons with a legitimation card from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and without Swiss citizenship | See SERAFE's page for diplomat households | Art. 69b para. 1 let. b RTVA, Art. 61 para. 3 RTVO |
02
Supplementary benefits: from when and for how long
The exemption applies from the time the supplementary benefits are received, for a maximum of five years back, but not for the period before 1 January 2019, when the household fee was introduced. If one member of a private household is exempt, the obligation no longer applies to any member of that household. For these recipients the exemption applies for at least three years, after which SERAFE checks whether the conditions are still met.
04
Care homes, nursing homes and student hostels
A home is not an exemption but a different household type. OFCOM explains that an old people's home or care home is a collective household that pays a separate collective fee, paid by the home, when it is the person's main place of residence. If your father moves into a home, the fee is therefore paid by the home and not by him. Student hostels and similar institutions are collective households too.
05
How to apply
The steps are short:
- Get the confirmation letter from the authority that pays the supplementary benefits, or the medical certificate for a deaf-blind household
- Send it to SERAFE with your application; SERAFE's own pages explain the route for each group
- Check that the invoice lists the right household members; if the household composition is wrong, correct it at the residents' register
- Keep the confirmation: SERAFE rechecks after the exemption period
06
What to read next
The general rules for who pays are in the radio and TV fee in Switzerland, and what happens when you move, emigrate or lose a household member is in the fee when your life changes.
07
Where to go next
See also The SERAFE invoice and Billag vs SERAFE. For the whole picture, start from IPTV Switzerland: licensed providers compared.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who is exempt from the radio and TV fee?
On application, households with a recipient of annual supplementary benefits (old age or invalidity), households of deaf-blind people and diplomat households.
Are recipients of social assistance exempt?
No. OFCOM states that exemption is not provided because social assistance takes the fee into account in the basic amount.
How far back does the exemption go?
For supplementary benefits, up to five years from the start of receipt, and not before 1 January 2019.
What do I send to SERAFE?
For supplementary benefits the confirmation letter from the authority that pays them; for deaf-blind households an application and a copy of a medical certificate.
Sources
Read next
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03
Social assistance is not an exemption
OFCOM states that exemption for recipients of social welfare assistance is not provided, because social assistance already takes the fee into account in the basic amount, and that discounts or waivers cannot be granted. Only annual supplementary benefits to old-age, survivors' and invalidity insurance count; ordinary social benefits do not.