What does Befreiung mean?
A Befreiung (exemption) means you do not have to pay or do something that is otherwise required. Examples are a contribution or a fee.
die Befreiung · die Befreiungen (plural)
There are exemptions, for example, from the Rundfunkbeitrag, from co-payments at the Krankenkasse or from some fees.
An exemption almost always requires an application. You usually need proof, for example a Bescheid about your benefits.
It often applies only for a certain time. After that, you must apply again.
Example sentence
Sie werden für das Kalenderjahr 2026 von weiteren Zuzahlungen befreit.
You are exempted from further co-payments for the calendar year 2026.
What you can do
For every contribution and fee, ask whether an exemption is possible for you. Apply early.
Related words
- Zuzahlung A Zuzahlung (co-payment) is a small amount you pay yourself, for example for medicines, in hospital or for therapy.
- Rundfunkbeitrag The Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee) is a fee for public radio and television. Each home pays it once.
- Gebührenbescheid With a Gebührenbescheid (fee notice), an office charges for a service, for example for a passport or rubbish collection.
- Antrag With an Antrag (application), you ask an office for something, for example money or a permit.
- Nachweis A Nachweis is a document that proves something, for example your income, your rent or your address.