I am living in Rostock since June 2014. I am an Italian citizen working here as a consultant (but paid by an Italian company and paying taxes in Italy).

I am living in a (rented) furnished apartment, and soon after registering (Anmeldung) I started receiving bills from the GEZ / ARD-ZDF-Dutschland Radio.

Now, I have two problems with it: first of all I don't speak German so I cannot really use their services. On top of that, I don't own a TV in Italy either, and as soon as I move to a non-furnished apartment (in two months) I will not buy neither a TV nor a Radio set. It's just stuff I don't use in my home country, either.

Is there any legal way to avoid paying for this or at least pay at a reduced rate (their site's FAQ seems to imply you can ask for exemption only if you are unemployed or have some physical handicap like being legally blind)?

I am living in Rostock since June 2014. I am an Italian citizen working here as a consultant (but paid by an Italian company and paying taxes in Italy).

I am living in a (rented) furnished apartment, and soon after registering (Anmeldung) I started receiving bills from the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice (formerly known as GEZ).

Now, I have two problems with it: first of all I don't speak German so I cannot really use their services. On top of that, I don't own a TV in Italy either, and as soon as I move to a non-furnished apartment (in two months) I will not buy neither a TV nor a Radio set. It's just stuff I don't use in my home country, either.

Is there any legal way to avoid paying for this or at least pay at a reduced rate (their site's FAQ seems to imply you can ask for exemption only if you are unemployed or have some physical handicap like being legally blind)?