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[[File:Electricity.meter.jpg|thumb|Electricity meter with meter ID number (marked in red)]]
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Order an Electricity Provider in Germany (+€35 Bonus)}}
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{{Head
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If you don't sublet from someone but [[Germany/Housing/Rent|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:
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|Electricity Providers in Germany
 
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|Ratings, English
 
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|If you [[Germany/Housing/Rent|rent an apartment on your name]] (and don't sublet), you likely need to '''make a contract with an electricity provider'''. Read here how to find, compare & sign up with one.}}
 
  
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'''Summary:''' [[#When_do_I_need_an_electricity_provider.3F|Check]] if you need one, [[#consumption|estimate]] your consumption, [[#find|compare & pick a provider]], sign up online.
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* lights
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* power sockets
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* stove & oven (if electric)
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* water heating (if electric)
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(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).
  
 
{{FAQ|
 
{{FAQ|
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You usually '''don't need''' an electricity contract  
 
You usually '''don't need''' an electricity contract  
  
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* if you '''sublet''' an apartment or room (from another person), or
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* when you '''sublet''' an apartment or room (from another person).
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* if you rent your apartment or room with an "all-inclusive" contract like via Airbnb or similar.
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* when you rent your apartment / room with an "all inclusive" contract like via Airbnb or similar.
  
 
If in doubt, ask your landlord.
 
If in doubt, ask your landlord.
  
 
}}
 
}}
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{{FAQ/Item|q=How does electricity and energy billing work in Germany?|a=
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{{FAQ/Item|q=How to order an electricity supplier?|a=
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With your (warm) rent (''Warmmiete''), you already pay for energy consumption, like
 
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* heating your apartment
 
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* water heating
 
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* lights of common areas in your house, like Corridor lighting
 
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But for energy in your apartment, used for/from:
 
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* lights
 
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* power sockets
 
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* stove & oven (if electric)
 
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* water heating (if electric)
 
  
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you need to make a contract with an electricity supplier.
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* Find out whether your '''warm water''' is heated by
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** your own electricity,
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** or instead by gas or even delivered from your landlord (central heating)
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* Given this information, '''estimate your consumption''' (see the table below).
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* Know your postal code (Use [https://www.google.com/maps/ Google maps] to find it.)
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* '''Compare''' providers or '''pick''' a provider from the list below. Key factors to look at:
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** ''Grundpreis'' (basic fee): fixed fee to pay per month
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** ''Arbeitspreis'' (consumption price): what you pay per kWh used
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** bonuses: are often available for new customers (but some are only paid out after a year, so be careful to check also cancellation policies)
  
 
}}
 
}}
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{{FAQ/Item|q=How to choose an electricity supplier?|a=
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{{FAQ/Item|q=How will I get billed for my electricity use?|a=
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You will need your postal code postal code because prices are different by area. (Use [https://www.google.com/maps/ Google maps] to find it.)
 
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# Find out whether your '''warm water''' is heated by
 
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#* your electricity,
 
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#* or instead by gas or even delivered (district / central heating)
 
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# Estimate your '''consumption''' with the [[#consumption|table below]].
 
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# Pick a '''provider''' or comparison service from the [[#find|list below]].
 
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# Enter your '''postal code''' and '''estimated consumption''' to get offers for you. Key factors to look at:
 
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#* ''Grundpreis'' (basic fee): fixed fee to pay per month
 
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#* ''Arbeitspreis'' (consumption price): what you pay per kWh used
 
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#* bonuses: are often available for new customers (but some are only paid out after a year, so make sure they actually give you a benefit)
 
  
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* Based on your consumption estimation, your electricity provider will calculate a '''monthly prepayment rate''' for you. Pay that rate now every month.
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* After a year (usually), they measure your actual consumption.
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** If you used '''less''' than your estimation, you will '''get money back''' and your monthly prepayment rate will be '''lowered'''.
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** If you used '''more''' than your estimation, you will need to '''pay the difference''' and your monthly prepayment rate will be '''raised'''.
 
}}
 
}}
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{{FAQ/Item|q=How to sign up with an electricity provider?|a=
 
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All sign-ups can be done online.
 
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# Pick an offer from [[#find|the list or comparisons of the providers]].
 
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# In the order form, enter
 
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#* the ID number of your electricity meter (it is usually printed on it),
 
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#* the current electricity meter reading,
 
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#* your IBAN [[Germany/Banking|bank account number]] (if you agree to direct debit).
 
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}}
 
}}
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{{FAQ/Item|q=How do I get billed for my electricity consumption?|a=
 
  
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# Based on your consumption estimation, your electricity provider will calculate a '''monthly prepayment rate'''. This prepayment rate will be
 
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#* either deducted from your bank account, if you agreed to direct debit (''Lastschrift'')
 
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#* or you will need to transfer it yourself every month.
 
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# After a year (usually), they measure your actual consumption.
 
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#* If you used '''less''' than your estimation, you will '''get money back''' and your monthly prepayment rate will be '''lowered'''.
 
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#* If you used '''more''' than your estimation, you will need to '''pay the difference''' and your monthly prepayment rate will be '''raised'''.
 
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}}
 
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{{FAQ/Item|q=How to change my electricity company?|a=
 
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# Find out the earliest date you can cancel / when your minimum contract term ends. 
 
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#* Tip: You can already send the cancellation much earlier. That way you make sure to not forget to cancel.
 
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#
 
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# Pick an offer from [[#find|the list or comparisons of the providers]].
 
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}}
 
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}}
 
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<div id="consumption">
 
 
== Average & Ideal Consumption Rates ==
 
== Average & Ideal Consumption Rates ==
  
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! Average, with electric water heating
 
! Average, with electric water heating
 
! Average, without electric water heating
 
! Average, without electric water heating
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! Ideal (minimized) consumption
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! Ideal (minimised) consumption
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 1 person
 
| 1 person
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| 1500 kWh
 
| 2100 kWh
 
| 2100 kWh
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| 1500 kWh
 
 
| 800-1300 kWh
 
| 800-1300 kWh
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 2 person
 
| 2 person
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| 2500 kWh
 
| 3400 kWh
 
| 3400 kWh
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| 2500 kWh
 
 
| 1300-2100 kWh
 
| 1300-2100 kWh
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 3 person
 
| 3 person
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| 3500 kWh
 
| 4400 kWh
 
| 4400 kWh
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| 3500 kWh
 
 
| 1700-2600 kWh
 
| 1700-2600 kWh
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 4 person
 
| 4 person
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| 4250 kWh
 
| 5500 kWh
 
| 5500 kWh
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| 4250 kWh
 
 
| 1900-2900 kWh
 
| 1900-2900 kWh
 
|}
 
|}
  
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<div id="find">
 
 
== Find an Electricity Provider ==
 
== Find an Electricity Provider ==
  
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You can make a contract with '''any German provider, no matter where you live'''. So even if you live in Berlin, you can make a contract with a provider from Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, or Munich.
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=== List of Electricity Providers ===
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* {{AffLink|ostrom|ostrom.electricity}} – English-speaking, (short) monthly contracts, allows prepayment adjustments at any time.
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=== List of German Electricity Providers ===
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** €35 discount when using referral code ''XPATWIKI35'' 
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* {{AffLink|eprimo|eprimo.electricity}}
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Here are common German electricity companies with their Trustpilot rating<ref>as of 2022-06-27</ref>:
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** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_UcL4WTyCE Video guide on how to sign up]
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* {{AffLink|lekker|lekker.electricity}}
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* {{Trustpilot|ostrom.de|5}} &nbsp; {{AffLink|ostrom|ostrom.electricity}}: English support 🇬🇧, min. term: 11 days<ref>{{Cite|date=2022-06-22|url=https://www.ostrom.de/faq#what-is-the-minimum-contract-period|quote=The minimum contract period is 11 days}}</ref>, allows prepayment adjustments at any time<ref>{{Cite|date=2022-06-22|url=https://www.ostrom.de/faq#will-my-monthly-payment-be-adjusted|quote=you can adjust your monthly payment at all times.}}</ref>
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* {{AffLink|LEW|lew.electricity}}
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* {{Trustpilot|polarstern-energie.de|4.5}} &nbsp; {{AffLink|Polarstern|polarstern.electricity}}: min. term: 1 month<ref>{{Cite|date=2022-06-22|url=https://www.polarstern-energie.de/oekostrom/|quote=Welche Konditionen bietet Polarstern? / Bei uns gibt es keine Mindestvertragslaufzeit – du kannst deinen Vertrag immer mit zwei Wochen Frist zum Monatsende kündigen.}}</ref>
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* {{AffLink|Vattenfall|vattenfall.electricity}}
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* {{Trustpilot|vattenfall.de|4.5}} &nbsp; {{AffLink|Vattenfall|vattenfall.electricity}}: minimum term: 12 months
 
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* {{Trustpilot|lew.de|3}} &nbsp; {{AffLink|LEW|lew.electricity}}: min. term: 12 months<ref>{{Cite|date=2022-06-22|url=https://www.lew.de/fuer-zuhause/strom/lew-strom-basis-online-natur|quote=Mindestvertragslaufzeit: 12 Monate}}</ref>
 
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* {{Trustpilot|eprimo.de|2}} &nbsp; {{AffLink|eprimo|eprimo.electricity}}: min. term: 12 months<ref>{{Cite|date=2022-07-01|url=https://www.eprimo.de/oekostrom/strom-kuendigen|quote=Kündigungsfristen bei eprimo}}</ref>
 
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* {{Trustpilot|lekker.de|2}} &nbsp; {{AffLink|lekker|lekker.electricity}}
 
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* {{Trustpilot|q-cells.de|1.5}} &nbsp; {{AffLink|Qcells|q-cells.electricity}}
 
  
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=== Compare German Electricity Providers ===
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=== Compare Electricity Providers ===
  
 
Instead of comparing offers yourself, you can use a comparison service. Enter your postal code & estimated consumption, and get a list of offers.
 
Instead of comparing offers yourself, you can use a comparison service. Enter your postal code & estimated consumption, and get a list of offers.
  
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* {{Trustpilot|www.check24.de|5}} {{AffLink|Check24|check24-electricity-comparison}} (How to use it: [https://www.check24.de/strom-gas/ratgeber/how-to-switch-energy-supplier-in-germany/ Guide in English])
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* {{AffLink|Check24 Electricity Comparison|check24-electricity-comparison}}
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* {{Trustpilot|www.verivox.de|4.5}} {{Link|Verivox|verivox-electricity-comparison}}
 
  
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== See also ==
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== More guides ==
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* [https://berlincheap.com/electricity/ Cheapest German Electricity Providers] by ''BerlinCheap.com''
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* [https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/electric-bill-berlin How do electric bills work in Germany?] by ''AllAboutBerlin.com''
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* [https://www.settle-in-berlin.com/electricity-supplier-germany/ Set up a contract with an electricity supplier Germany] ''settle-in-berlin.com''
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* [https://www.movingto-berlin.com/best-electricity-provider-berlin/ Comparison of Best German Electricity Providers] by ''movingto-berlin.com''
 
* [https://goodlifegermany.com/en/how-to-germany/for-your-home/best-electricity-providers-germany-2021/ Review of green electricity companies] by ''goodlifegermany.com''
 
* [https://goodlifegermany.com/en/how-to-germany/for-your-home/best-electricity-providers-germany-2021/ Review of green electricity companies] by ''goodlifegermany.com''
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* [https://www.ostrom.de/post/how-you-will-benefit-from-germanys-strompreisbremse-energy-price-brake How You Will Benefit from Germany’s Strompreisbremse (Energy Price Brake)] by ''ostrom.de''
 
  
 
{{Notes}}
 
{{Notes}}
  
 
[[Category:Housing]]
 
[[Category:Housing]]

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