For many years, ORF and its subsidiary GIS have been charging a program fee (“sovereign broadcasting fee”) of approximately EUR 206 per year per broadcast participant. This program fee is subject to an additional charge of 10% in the form of VAT. In June 2016, the European Court of Justice ruled that the Czech broadcasting fee was wrongly charged with VAT due to the lack of voluntary payment of the fee. The fee systems for public service broadcasting in the Czech Republic and Austria are very similar, which is why Advofin has initiated a collective action for the reimbursement of VAT. Approximately 3.3 million fee payers are affected by this potential reimbursement.

All private individuals who CURRENTLY pay a GIS bill are eligible to participate in our collective action (no companies).

Required documents for participation in our collective action (to be uploaded during the registration process):

• A payment confirmation (bank statement) of the GIS fee OR a GIS notice (assessment) – each from the cut-off date of January 1, 2023.

The amount of reimbursement claims is approximately EUR 20 per year; the duration of the claim is still uncertain and is currently estimated at 5 years.

Thus, the total claim for reimbursement amounts to approximately EUR 100 per fee payer.

If you join our collective action, we will assume the entire process risk. In case of success, for assuming the process risk and financing all costs, we will receive a participation fee of 27% of the proceeds from the process.

Only private individuals are supported; according to Advofin, entrepreneurs have no claim to reimbursement.

Are you a potentially injured party who wishes to participate in the collective action but does not want to assume any litigation risk? Register here now!