Setting Up Electricity and Gas in Germany: Expat Guide

When moving into a new apartment in Germany, understanding how utilities work is essential. As explained in our Kaltmiete vs. Warmmiete guide, electricity and gas are almost never included in your landlord’s warm rent payment. You are responsible for contracting your own energy provider.

How Energy Contracts Work in Germany

Grundversorgung (Default Supply)

The moment you take key possession of your flat, electricity flows automatically. You will never be left in the dark. However, by default, you are placed in the Grundversorgung (the local basic provider tariff, such as Vattenfall in Berlin or SWM in Munich).

  • The Catch: Grundversorgung tariffs are notoriously expensive. Remaining on the basic tariff can cost you hundreds of Euros extra per year.

Special & Fixed Tariffs (Sonderverträge)

To save money, you should immediately switch (Stromanbieter wechseln) to a private electricity supplier (e.g., Vattenfall, E.ON, Ostrom, Green Planet Energy). You can choose between:

  • Fixed Tariffs (Festpreis): Price per kWh is locked for 12 to 24 months.
  • Dynamic Tariffs (Dynamischer Stromtarif): Hourly price fluctuates with Nord Pool spot market rates (requires a smart meter).

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Electricity Contract

1. Locate Your Electricity Meter (Stromzähler)

Ask your landlord or check the basement/stairwell for your meter number (Zählernummer) and record the meter reading (Zählerstand) on the day you move in. This ensures you only pay for energy consumed starting from your official move-in date.

2. Compare Providers Online

Use price comparison tools like Check24 or Verivox, or sign up with expat-friendly digital providers like Ostrom (which offers a 100% English app and flexible monthly cancellation).

3. Sign the Contract

You will need to provide:

  • Your new German apartment address.
  • Your meter number (Zählernummer).
  • The move-in meter reading (Zählerstand).
  • Your German IBAN for monthly direct debit (SEPA-Lastschrift).

4. Direct Debit & Monthly Payment (Abschlag)

Energy providers in Germany charge a fixed estimated monthly installment called an Abschlag. At the end of the 12-month billing period, the provider takes an annual reading. If your actual usage was lower than estimated, you receive a refund directly into your bank account. If you used more, you must pay the difference.

Setting Up Gas (Gasversorgung)

If your apartment has individual gas heating (Gasetagenheizung) or a gas stove, you will also need to sign a separate gas contract:

  • Obtain the gas meter number (Gaszähler) and move-in reading.
  • Compare gas suppliers (Gasanbieter vergleichen) online.
  • Register your contract online within 2 to 4 weeks of moving in to avoid high default gas rates.

With electricity and heating sorted, don’t forget to register for the mandatory German TV tax (GEZ Rundfunkbeitrag) to keep your apartment fully compliant!