Music licensing in Germany
What GEMA and GVL cost in 2026
A business in Germany that plays recorded music to its customers pays two societies. GEMA licenses the songs, for the songwriters and publishers. GVL licenses the recordings, for the performers and record labels. GEMA prices the venue by the size of the room, adds 20 percent for GVL and collects both fees.
A shop of 100 m² pays 132,72 € a year: 110,60 € to GEMA and 22,12 € to GVL, without VAT.
What a venue pays a year
For one location, from the societies' published tariffs for background music, without VAT.
Shop or store
100 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 110,60 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 22,12 €
- Total a year
- 132,72 €
Shop or store
300 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 276,60 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 55,32 €
- Total a year
- 331,92 €
Shop or store
1,000 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 630,10 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 126,02 €
- Total a year
- 756,12 €
Restaurant or café
60 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 245,90 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 49,18 €
- Total a year
- 295,08 €
Restaurant or café
120 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 491,70 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 98,34 €
- Total a year
- 590,04 €
Restaurant or café
250 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 737,40 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 147,48 €
- Total a year
- 884,88 €
Bar or pub
80 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 245,90 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 49,18 €
- Total a year
- 295,08 €
Bar or pub
150 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 491,70 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 98,34 €
- Total a year
- 590,04 €
Gym or fitness studio
300 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 634,50 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 126,90 €
- Total a year
- 761,40 €
Gym or fitness studio
800 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 972,90 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 194,58 €
- Total a year
- 1.167,48 €
Hair or beauty salon
50 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 110,60 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 22,12 €
- Total a year
- 132,72 €
Hair or beauty salon
100 m²
- GEMASongwriters and publishers
- 110,60 €
- GVLPerformers and record labels
- 22,12 €
- Total a year
- 132,72 €
The figures are for recorded background music, such as a playlist or a streaming service, on an annual contract at the standard rates. A venue that plays the radio pays more. If you copy music onto a device yourself, for example as MP3 files, GEMA also charges for the copies. Live music, DJs and fitness classes have their own tariffs.
An estimate from the societies' published tariffs for background music; the exact fee depends on how the society measures your premises, your opening days and any extras such as live music or TV.
Work out the fee for your own venueOr play music that no society bills for
Tonada composes original music for your brand and registers it with no collecting society, so GEMA and GVL have nothing to bill. You pay for your Tonada subscription, everything included, and get a certificate to show any inspector.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you play recorded music, such as a playlist or a streaming service. GEMA covers the songs and GVL covers the recordings. You pay both to GEMA, which collects GVL's share. The table on this page shows each share.
GVL publishes no amounts of its own for background music. Its tariff of 31 January 2017 sets its fee at 20 percent of the GEMA fee. So the GVL fee on this page follows GEMA's 2026 tariffs.
Yes. A contract that you can end each month costs 20 percent more than an annual contract, and one that you can end each quarter costs 10 percent more. The figures on this page are for an annual contract.
Yes, if your business is a member of an association that has a collective agreement with GEMA. Members get 20 percent off. The figures on this page are without this discount.
No. GEMA publishes its prices without VAT, and so does this page. GEMA adds 7 percent VAT to the invoice.
No. Spotify's terms allow personal use only, and the GEMA licence does not change that. A business needs a music service that is licensed for business use.
No. Tonada's music is registered with no collecting society, so GEMA and GVL have nothing to bill for it. You get a certificate to show any inspector. This applies when Tonada's music is the only music you play.
Sources
GEMA, tariff from January 1, 2026
GVL, tariff from January 31, 2017
Your brand's own music, with no fees to GEMA and GVL
Tonada composes music for your brand and plays it in every location, adapted to the time of day. One subscription covers everything.
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