Serafe AG letter explained in English
Radio and TV fee office. Collects the radio and TV fee. Every household in Switzerland pays it, even without a TV or radio.
Letters you may get
- Rechnung — the fee bill for your household
- Zahlungserinnerung or Mahnung — you haven’t paid yet
What to do
- There is one bill per household. If you get two bills for the same flat, tell Serafe.
- People who get supplementary benefits (Ergänzungsleistungen) can ask not to pay the fee.
- Find the deadline. Look for “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innert”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“Einsprache”, “Rechtsvorschlag”, “Rekurs”, “Beschwerde”). See the template.
Words you may see
- Serafe
- The company that collects the radio and TV fee from every household.
- Mahnung
- Payment reminder. You paid late or not at all.
Questions
What is the Serafe AG?
Radio and TV fee office. Collects the radio and TV fee. Every household in Switzerland pays it, even without a TV or radio.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Serafe AG?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innert” — they mark the deadline. In Switzerland, a legal deadline starts the day after you receive the letter. A registered letter you don’t collect usually counts as delivered on the 7th day after the collection notice (Abholungseinladung). To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“Einsprache”, “Rechtsvorschlag”, “Rekurs”, “Beschwerde”).
Can I read a Serafe AG letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in German. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Switzerland
Kantonales Steueramt / Steuerverwaltung · Gemeindesteueramt · RAV (Regionales Arbeitsvermittlungszentrum) · Arbeitslosenkasse · Migrationsamt · Einwohnerkontrolle / Einwohneramt · Krankenkasse · Betreibungsamt