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Utilities & Contracts in Germany: Setting Up Electricity, Internet & Rundfunkbeitrag

Kawser AhmedByKawser Ahmed Published Updated

Moving into a new apartment is an incredibly rewarding milestone, but in Germany, it triggers a series of administrative checklist items. Unlike in some countries where utilities are automatically bundled or easy to register, setting up your electricity, heating gas, internet, and the mandatory public broadcasting fee requires active registration.

Failing to choose your own electricity provider can result in paying premium rates, and ignoring the public broadcasting letters can lead to collections agencies at your door.

Here is the complete guide to setting up electricity, gas, internet, and the mandatory Rundfunkbeitrag in Germany for 2026.

1. Setting Up Energy: Electricity & Gas Registration

When you move into your new apartment, you will have lights and hot water from day one. However, this is because you are automatically placed on a default contract. You need to act quickly to avoid paying higher rates.

The Default Provider: Grundversorger

If you do not register with a specific energy company, you are automatically placed on the default contract with the local municipal provider (known as the Grundversorger, e.g., Vattenfall in Berlin, Stadtwerke in Munich).

  • The Problem: The default tarif (Grundversorgung) is almost always the most expensive plan on the market.
  • The Solution: You are allowed to switch providers at any time with a 2-week notice period.

How to switch and save money

Use comparison portals like Verivox or Check24 to find cheaper energy providers (popular options include Vattenfall, E.ON, Ostrom, or Green Planet Energy).

  • What you need to register:
  1. Your new address.
  2. Your bank account details (IBAN) for SEPA direct debit.
  3. Your electricity meter number (Zählernummer) and gas meter number (if applicable), which can be found on your apartment hand-over protocol (Übergabeprotokoll).
  4. The current meter reading (Zählerstand) on your move-in date.

How payments work: Abschlagszahlung

In Germany, you do not pay for your exact monthly energy usage. Instead, you pay a fixed monthly installment (Abschlag) based on the estimated consumption of your household size. At the end of the year, your meter is read:

  • If you used less energy, you receive a refund.
  • If you used more, you pay the difference, and your monthly Abschlag is adjusted upwards.

2. The Mandatory Broadcasting Fee: Rundfunkbeitrag

In Germany, every single household is legally required to pay the public broadcasting fee, officially known as the Rundfunkbeitrag (often colloquially referred to as the GEZ fee).

IMPORTANT: No Exceptions for Expats: The fee is charged per household, regardless of whether you own a television, radio, or speak a word of German. It supports public radio, television (ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio), and online media.

Key Rules & Cost

  • Monthly Fee: In 2026, the fee is €18.36 per month (usually billed quarterly as €55.08).
  • One Fee Per Flat: The fee is charged per apartment. If you live in a shared flat (WG) or with a partner, only one person needs to pay. The other flatmates can link their profiles to the paying member’s account number (Beitragsnummer) to be exempted.
  • The Letter: A few weeks after you register your address at the Bürgeramt, you will receive an official letter in the post from the Beitragsservice. You must respond online by either registering your bank details to pay or entering the Beitragsnummer of the person in your household who already pays.

3. Registering for Internet & Home Phone

Getting online in Germany can sometimes take longer than expected, so you should start the registration process as early as possible.

The 24-Month Lock Trap

The vast majority of standard internet contracts (DSL, Cable, or Fiber) signed with major providers like Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, O2, or 1&1 come with a mandatory minimum contract duration of 24 months (Mindestvertragslaufzeit).

  • If you move to a new apartment within Germany and your provider can still supply internet at your new address, you must transfer your contract with you. You cannot cancel it simply because you moved.
  • Flex Tarifs: If you are unsure how long you will stay in Germany, look for contracts labeled ohne Mindestvertragslaufzeit or flex. These can be cancelled monthly, though they often feature higher monthly rates or setup fees.

Types of Connections

  • Cable (Kabel-Internet): Usually offers high speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and is run predominantly by Vodafone. Highly reliable in cities.
  • DSL: Run over traditional copper telephone lines. Speeds typically range up to 250 Mbps. Available in almost every apartment.
  • Fiber (Glasfaser): The fastest and most stable connection, but still in the process of rolling out across Germany.

The Installation Timeline

Once you sign up online, it can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks for the activation date. In some cases, a technician must visit your apartment to activate the line at the house connection box in the basement, requiring you to be home.

Summary Checklist: Utility Set-Up

  1. [ ] Check your handover protocol (Übergabeprotokoll) for your meter numbers and readings.
  2. [ ] Run comparison checks on Check24 or Verivox to switch away from the expensive default Grundversorger plan.
  3. [ ] Register your new address with an independent electricity and gas provider.
  4. [ ] Wait for the Rundfunkbeitrag letter and register your payment details (or share the fee with your flatmates).
  5. [ ] Book your home internet installation early to avoid weeks without a connection.