Setting Up Utilities in Germany: Electricity, Gas, and Internet

Moving into a new apartment in Germany means dealing with utilities promptly — contracts don't transfer automatically, and some services can take weeks to activate. Understanding how the system works saves time and money.

How German Utility Contracts Work

Germany has a liberalised energy market, meaning residents can choose their electricity and gas supplier from a competitive market. When moving into an apartment:

• If the previous tenant had a contract with a private supplier, that contract ends with their departure

• The apartment falls back to the local Grundversorger (default/universal supplier), who is legally obligated to supply energy to anyone in their grid area

• The new tenant can either stay with the Grundversorger or switch to a cheaper provider

The Grundversorger is typically the largest regional utility company — Stadtwerke München in Munich, Vattenfall/Stromnetz in Berlin, and so on. Their rates are regulated but usually higher than what's available from competing suppliers. Switching is straightforward and can save a meaningful amount annually.

Electricity

Finding a Provider

The two main comparison platforms for electricity (and gas) contracts are Check24 (check24.de) and Verivox (verivox.de). Both aggregate offers from dozens of suppliers and allow filtering by contract length, green energy certification, and advance payment amounts.

When comparing, look at:

• Grundpreis (base/standing charge) — fixed monthly fee regardless of consumption

• Arbeitspreis (usage price) — price per kilowatt-hour (kWh)

• Mindestvertragslaufzeit (minimum contract duration) — many cheap tariffs lock in for 12 months

• Preisgarantie (price guarantee) — whether the rate is fixed for the contract period

The average electricity price in Germany in 2025 is around 30-35 cents per kWh, though this varies by contract type and region. A one-person apartment might use 1,500-2,000 kWh per year; a two-person apartment around 2,500-3,000 kWh.

Switching Providers

Switching electricity providers in Germany is straightforward. The new provider handles the cancellation of the Grundversorgung on the customer's behalf — there is no need to contact the old provider separately. The physical infrastructure (power lines, meter) stays the same; only the billing entity changes. The switch typically takes 4-6 weeks.

Gas

In most German rental apartments, heating and hot water are provided by gas. However, the gas costs are usually included in the Nebenkosten (service charges/additional costs) paid to the landlord, not billed separately to the tenant.

Check the rental contract carefully:

• Warmmiete — rent including heating costs (most common)

• Kaltmiete — rent excluding heating; the tenant pays for gas separately

If gas must be set up independently, the same comparison process applies as with electricity — Check24 and Verivox both cover gas tariffs.

District heating (Fernwärme) is common in larger cities, particularly in former East German cities and new developments. This is supplied by a local utility and usually not competitively switchable.

Internet

Internet setup is often the most time-consuming utility in Germany. Lead times of 2-6 weeks are common, particularly for new connections. Planning ahead is important.

Main Providers

The three major nationwide internet providers are:

• Deutsche Telekom (Magenta) — largest network, widest DSL coverage, advancing fibre rollout. Generally the most reliable in rural and suburban areas

• Vodafone — strong cable internet presence in many cities, often via the former Kabel Deutschland network. Fast speeds where available

• O2 (Telefónica) — available in many urban areas, typically DSL-based; competitive on price

Discount and Regional Providers

Several discount providers resell infrastructure from the big three:

• 1&1 — uses Telekom and Vodafone networks

• Congstar — Telekom reseller, often cheaper than Magenta directly

• Pyur — cable internet in eastern Germany and Berlin

Fibre vs. DSL

Germany's fibre rollout (Glasfaser) is ongoing but uneven. Urban areas in some cities have good fibre availability; many areas — including parts of major cities — still rely on DSL (copper wire), which delivers lower speeds. Check availability at your specific address using the provider's address check tool before signing anything.

Typical speeds in 2025:

• DSL: 16-250 Mbit/s download (varies significantly by line quality)

• Cable: 100-1,000 Mbit/s

• Fibre: 500 Mbit/s to 1 Gbit/s where available

Contract Lengths

Standard internet contracts run 24 months with automatic renewal if not cancelled. Monthly contracts are available at a premium. The mandatory cancellation period (Kündigungsfrist) is typically 1 month before the contract end date. EU regulations passed in 2021 capped automatic renewal periods — providers must allow cancellation at any point after the initial 24-month term with one month's notice.

Average Monthly Costs (2025 estimates)

| Utility | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity (1-person flat) | €50–80/month |
| Gas (if paid separately) | €60–120/month (seasonal variation) |
| Internet (DSL/cable) | €25–50/month |
| Internet (fibre) | €40–60/month |

Key Takeaways

• On moving in, the apartment defaults to the Grundversorger; switching to a cheaper electricity provider via Check24 or Verivox can save money

• Gas heating is usually included in Nebenkosten — check the rental contract before setting up a separate gas account

• Internet takes longer to set up than expected — order as early as possible, ideally before the move

• DSL is still common across much of Germany; fibre availability varies significantly by address

• Standard internet contracts are 24 months; monthly options exist at higher cost