Order an Electricity Provider in Germany (+€35 Bonus)

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If you don't sublet from someone but rent an apartment on your name, you likely need make a contract with an electricity provider.

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 or room with an "all-inclusive" contract like via Airbnb or similar.

If in doubt, ask your landlord.

Aren't my energy costs already billed in my warm rent (Warmmiete)?

Your warm rent includes energy needed for heating of your apartment. It may also include water heating. But for energy used for/from

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

you need to make a contract with an electricity supplier.

How to order an electricity supplier?

  • Find out whether your warm water is heated by
    • your electricity,
    • or instead by gas or even delivered from your landlord (central heating)
  • Given this information, estimate your consumption (see the table below).
  • Know your postal code (Use Google maps to find it.)
  • 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)

How will I get billed for my electricity use?

  • Based on your consumption estimation, your electricity provider will calculate a monthly prepayment rate.
  • 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.

Average & Ideal Consumption Rates

To estimate your electricity consumption, you can go by average consumptions per year of German households, as shown in the table below. Additionally, ideal consumptions are shown (if savings potentials are used). [1]

Household size Average, with electric water heating Average, without electric water heating Ideal (minimized) consumption
1 person 1500 kWh 2100 kWh 800-1300 kWh
2 person 2500 kWh 3400 kWh 1300-2100 kWh
3 person 3500 kWh 4400 kWh 1700-2600 kWh
4 person 4250 kWh 5500 kWh 1900-2900 kWh

Find an Electricity Provider

List of Electricity Providers

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.

More guides

Notes

  1. "Stromverbrauch: Durchschnittsverbrauch Strom" – source, retrieved 2022-06-20
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 This is an affiliate link. If you click on it and then buy something or sign up for a service, we may earn a commission which covers our expenses. This does not change the price for you.