GEMA fees in pharmacies in 2025: what you really have to pay

The most important facts at a glance

• Pharmacies are subject to GEMAUnlike doctors' surgeries, pharmacies are classed as retail outlets - background music, radio or TV in the sales room cost GEMA fees
• Costs add upFor an average pharmacy (120 square metres), the costs are around 350-450 euros per year, plus 20% GVL surcharge - that's over 500 euros per year
• Telephone waiting loops also costMany pharmacists do not realise that music in the telephone queue is also subject to separate GEMA fees
• sonicsense offers the solutionProfessional, therapeutically optimised wellness music without GEMA fees, without registrations and with cost savings of up to 70%

Why pharmacies have to pay GEMA fees

You want to create a pleasant atmosphere in your pharmacy: Soothing music in the sales room, perhaps a television in the waiting area or relaxing sounds in the telephone queue. This goes down well with your customers and creates a professional, welcoming environment. However, as pharmacies are considered public spaces, they have to pay GEMA fees if music is played there.

But be careful: GEMA sees it differently than you do.

Pharmacies = retail (not medical practice!)

This is a common misconception: many pharmacists think that the same rules apply to them as to doctors' surgeries. But this is not true.

The legal situation is clear:

Although the Federal Court of Justice ruled in 2015 that Medical Practice do not have to pay GEMA fees for background music (due to appointments and small patient groups). But GEMA makes it clear: This exception does not apply to pharmacies.

Justification of GEMA:

• Pharmacies are publicly accessible (no appointment system)
• Daily changing, high Customer traffic
• Comparable with Retail shops
• Music reaches a "Majority of people" (§ 15 para. 3 UrhG)

Conclusion: Your pharmacy falls under the Retail tariff the GEMA.

What is subject to GEMA in the pharmacy

Almost all forms of music in your pharmacy cost a fee:

✗ Background music in the salesroom (Spotify, Apple Music, CD, radio) - playing CD music is cheaper than using radio stations

✗ Television in the waiting area (even if only news is playing - music in adverts/intros!) 

✗ Music in the telephone waiting loop (separate tariff!) 

✗ Radio in the office/break room (if audible to employees and customers) 

✗ YouTube or streaming services on screens 

✗ Music at pharmacy events (open day, health days)

Not subject to GEMA: 

✓ Pure voice announcements (without music) on hold 

✓ Music in the private office (only for you, not publicly audible)

Discover therapeutic wellness music for pharmacies →

GEMA tariffs for pharmacies: This is what the music costs you

Tariff M-U: Background music in the salesroom

For permanently playing background music (radio, streaming, CD), the Tariff M-U for sound carrier playback.

The costs are based on:

• Sales area size (in square metres), which significantly influences the amount of the fees
• Type of medium (CD is cheaper than radio!)
• Contract term (annual contract cheaper than monthly contract)

Example of costs for a typical pharmacy (120 square metres of sales area): For smaller pharmacies with a sales area of up to 100 square metres, the GEMA fees are between 100 and 160 euros per year.

Plus obligatory:

• 7% Value added tax
• 20% GVL surcharge (Gesellschaft zur Verwertung von Leistungsschutzrechten)

Sample calculation CD/streaming annual contract:

• GEMA (net): 288 €
• VAT (7%): 20 €
• GVL (20%): 58 €
• Total: approx. 366 € per year

Sample calculation for an annual radio contract:

• GEMA (net): 384 €
• VAT (7%): 27 €
• GVL (20%): 77 €
• Total: approx. 488 € per year

Tariff T: Music in the telephone waiting loop

Attention: Most pharmacies forget this tariff!

When customers are listening to music while on hold, a separate tariff on. So you pay twice: once for the salesroom, once for the queue.

Costs of telephone waiting loop (T-WS tariff):

• Flat rate: approx. 60-80 € per year (net)
• Plus 7% VAT and GVL surcharge
• Total: approx. 85-110 € per year

Tarif TV: TV in the waiting area

Do you have a television in the waiting area? That also costs extra - even if you only show the news.

TV playback costs:

• Monthly contract: approx. 12-15 € (net)
• Annual contract: approx. 9-12 € (net) per month
• Annual total: approx. 130-165 € (with VAT and GVL)

The total invoice for your pharmacy

Realistic annual costs for the average pharmacy:

For a larger pharmacy (200 square metres) with several music sources, the costs can be quickly over €900 per year lie.

The hidden risks and costs Pharmacies must also conclude a GEMA contract for company parties where music is played.

Risk 1: Forgotten registration = double payment

Many pharmacists play music without first registering with GEMA. This can be expensive:

For GEMA control without registration:

• Back payment of the regular fees
• 100% Control cost surcharge
• Reminder fees

Example: Regular annual fee 488 euros → For inspection without registration: 976 Euro Back payment!

Risk 2: Spotify or Apple Music in commercial use

The double problem:

1. GEMA obligation remains (Streaming does not change the obligation to pay fees)
2. Violation of general terms and conditionsConsumer accounts are, according to the AGB for private use only - not for pharmacies

You are taking a risk:

• Cancellation of the streaming account
• Claims for damages by the streaming provider
• Additional GEMA claims

Risk 3: Time expenditure and administrative burden

As a pharmacist, you have enough to do:

• Advice for customers
• Recipe editing
• Merchandise management
• Further training
• Quality management

GEMA means additional work:

• Registration in the GEMA portal (1-2 hours for the first time)
• Annual renewal (30 min.)
• Audit (30 min.)
• In case of changes: Reregistration (30 min.)
• For controls: Search for evidence (1-2 hours)

Your time commitment: 3-5 hours per year - Time that you could use for your patients.

Risk 4: Music does not match the pharmacy

Play radio station:

• Advertising (sometimes for competitor products!)
• Inappropriate news (wars, crises)
• Style breaks (from Schlager to heavy metal)
• Hectic morning shows

The problem: You have no control over the content. Music should calm you down and create trust - not cause unrest.

Find out about professional pharmacy music solutions →

sonicsense: The intelligent alternative for pharmacies

Why continue to pay GEMA fees?

Just imagine:

• No annual GEMA invoices more (save 500-900 €/year)
• No registrationsno extensions, no paperwork
• No controlsno stress, no additional claims
• Professional wellness musicthat suits your pharmacy
• More time for your customers instead of for administration

This offers sonicsense - the professional music solution especially for pharmacies.

Cost comparison: GEMA vs. sonicsense

Scenario: Pharmacy with 120 square metres, radio in the sales room, music on hold

For larger pharmacies or several locations: Even higher savings from 500-700 € per year!

Music for every area of your pharmacy

sonicsense offers suitable playlists for:

Salesroom: Discreet, confidence-building background music that radiates seriousness and expertise. Your customers can relax and receive advice.

Waiting area: Soothing wellness sounds that shorten waiting times and reduce stress. Particularly important for older or sick customers.

Telephone queue: Professional music on hold without GEMA fees. Your callers wait relaxed instead of hanging up annoyed.

Counselling rooms: Discreet background music for confidential counselling sessions - therapeutically effective and professional.

Listen to wellness playlists for pharmacies now →

Frequently asked questions about GEMA in pharmacies

Does the doctor's surgery exemption also apply to pharmacies?

No. The BGH ruling that medical practices do not have to pay GEMA applies explicitly not for pharmacies. GEMA categorises pharmacies as retail businesses as they are open to the public and have high customer traffic.

Do I have to pay GEMA if I only play quiet music?

Yes. The volume doesn't matter. The decisive factor is that the music is audible to customers. Even very quiet background music is subject to GEMA.

Which is cheaper: CD or radio?

CD/streaming is cheaper than radio (approx. €100 difference per year). But both require GEMA registration. Most favourable: sonicsense without any GEMA fees.

Can GEMA simply come into my pharmacy?

Yes, GEMA inspectors are allowed to enter publicly accessible salesrooms. They must identify themselves. Be friendly, but don't let them put you under pressure. With sonicsense you are 100% on the safe side.

What happens to my existing GEMA contract?

GEMA contracts usually have annual cancellation periods. Check your contract, cancel it on time and switch to sonicsense. You save from the first day after your contract ends.

Is sonicsense also suitable for pharmacy chains?

Yes! sonicsense offers special licences for pharmacy chains and chain stores. Centralised management, uniform music atmosphere in all branches, maximum cost savings.

Do I need special technology for sonicsense?

No. sonicsense works on your existing devices: smartphone, tablet, computer or streaming player. Just play it - and you're done.

Conclusion: Pharmacies deserve better music at lower costs

GEMA fees in pharmacies are an underestimated cost factor: 500-900 Euro per yearadministrative work, stressful checks and the risk of expensive additional payments. In addition, there is often unsuitable music from the radio, which does not fit in with the professional pharmacy atmosphere.

The good news: It's better.

With sonicsense you get:

• Professional, therapeutically optimised wellness music
• No more GEMA fees
• Full legal certainty
• Less administrative work
• Better atmosphere for your customers
• Predictable, more favourable costs

The decision is up to you: Do you want to continue paying hundreds of euros a year to GEMA, play random radio music and invest time in administration? Or would you prefer a professional solution that really does your pharmacy and your customers justice?

Act now: Professional music for your pharmacy

Create the perfect feel-good atmosphere in your pharmacy - without GEMA fees, without administrative effort, without legal risks.

Your next steps:

1. Cost analysisCalculate your current GEMA fees (salesroom + on hold + TV)
2. Counselling interview: Get personalised advice on how much you can save with sonicsense
3. Test playlists: Listen to the professional wellness playlists
4. Convert: Cancel GEMA contracts and switch to sonicsense

▶ Discover therapeutic wellness music for pharmacies

▶ Request free advice for pharmacies

sonicsense - Professional music solutions for pharmacies. Therapeutically effective. Legally compliant. 

Promoting health, not managing fees.