In Italy, watching RAI channels isn't exactly a choice.
Every citizen with electricity at home is automatically considered a customer of RAI, the Italian public broadcaster. Payment is mandatory and made through the electricity bill. The official name of the charge is... Rai feeAnd the logic is simple: where there's an outlet, there's a charge.
The measure also applies to those who have never turned on the TV or only watch streaming services.
Who can escape the charge?
According to Italian law, some groups may be exempt from the Canone Rai tax. However, this requires a formal declaration, submitted on time and with specific documentation.
Those exempt include:
• Those who do not own a television set in any of their homes.
• Citizens over 75 years of age, provided they have an annual income of less than 8 euros, do not live with other renters, and the TV is located in their main residence.
• Diplomats, military personnel, and foreign officials from international organizations or NATO who are passing through Italy.
These citizens need to present a substitutive declaration, a document that confirms compliance with the required criteria.
Deadlines and formats for requesting exemption.
For the year 2026, those who do not own a TV must submit their tax return by February 2nd to be exempt from the annual payment.
Between February 3rd and June 30th, it is only possible to apply for the benefit for the second semester.
Those over 75 years of age must have reached that age by January 31st to have the exemption valid for the entire year. If the birthday occurs between February and July, the exemption is only valid from the second half of the year onwards.
There are no strict deadlines for diplomatic or military cases, which can submit the request at any time.
The declaration can be sent via:
• digital platform of the Agenzia delle Entrate
• authorized intermediaries such as CAFs or accountants
• Registered letter (without envelope)
• Email with digital signature via PEC (certified email)
What if this trend catches on?
While many Brazilians still complain about the programming on free-to-air television, in Italy the debate is different: to pay or not to pay for something that, often, is not even consumed.
In Brazil, broadcasters like Globo operate under a public concession regime. In Italy, RAI follows the model of state television financed by a mandatory fee.
If the Italian logic were applied in Brazil, it would be like forcing every household with electricity to pay an annual fee to Globo, Record, and SBT, regardless of whether they watch them or not.
At least around here, turning on the TV is still free.
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Pablo
February 3, 2026 at 19:57 am
Thank you!
I just saw the fee on my electricity bill.
Fortunately, we don't have a TV at home, and I've already requested the exemption.
It's a shame you can't get a refund…
Bruno
February 4, 2026 at 11:28 am
Well, don't forget that we already pay for TV Câmara, TV Senado, TV Brasil, etc. etc.
But here we don't have that transparency.