Germany/Housing/Electricity

If you don't sublet from someone but rent an apartment on your name, you likely need make a contract with an electricity provider. This supplier will bill you on the electricity that you use for/from:

• lights
• power sockets
• stove & oven (if electric)
• water heating (if electric)

(All your other energy consumption, especially for heating will be part of your *Warmmiete* (warm rent), which you pay to your landlord and which is billed by them).

Questions & Answers

When do I need an electricity provider?

• If you rent an apartment or house directly from a landlord.

You usually don't need an electricity contract

• when you sublet an apartment or room (from another person).
• when you rent your apartment / room with an "all inclusive" contract like via Airbnb or similar.

If in doubt, ask your landlord.

How to order and pay an electricity supplier?

• Find out whether your warm water is heated by
  • your own electricity,
  • or instead by gas or even delivered from your landlord (central heating)
• Estimate your consumption. Typical:
  • 1-person household: 1600 kWh (no water heating) / 2100 kWh (with water heating)
  • 2-person household: 2300 kWh (no water heating) / 3400 kWh (with water heating)
  • 3-person household: 3100 kWh (no water heating) / 4400 kWh (with water heating)
  • 4-person household: 4000 kWh (no water heating) / 5500 kWh (with water heating)
  • 5-person household: 4500 kWh (no water heating) / 6700 kWh (with water heating)
• Compare providers or pick a provider from the list below. Key factors to look at:
  • Grundpreis (basic fee): fixed fee to pay per month
  • Arbeitspreis (consumption price): what you pay per kWh used
  • bonuses: are often available for new customers (but some are only paid out after a year, so be careful to check also cancellation policies)
• Order online
• Based on your consumption estimation, they calculate a monthly prepayment rate for you. Pay that rate now every month.
• After a year (usually), they measure your actual consumption.
  • If you used less than your estimation, you will get money back and your monthly prepayment rate will be lowered.
  • If you used more than your estimation, you will need to pay the difference and your monthly prepayment rate will be raised.

Compare Electricity Providers

• Check24 Electricity Comparison

List of Electricity Providers

• eprimo (cheapest) Video guide on how to sign up
• lekker (cheap with 2-year fixed price)
• LEW
• Vattenfall

More guides

• Cheapest German Electricity Providers by BerlinCheap.com
• How do electric bills work in Germany? by AllAboutBerlin.com
• Set up a contract with an electricity supplier Germany settle-in-berlin.com
• Comparison of Best German Electricity Providers by movingto-berlin.com
• Review of green electricity companies by goodlifegermany.com