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What Utilities Do You Actually Need to Set Up in Germany?
When you move into a German flat, you typically need to arrange three things yourself: electricity, internet and the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag). Water and heating are almost always included in your Nebenkosten (utilities prepayment) and handled by your landlord. This guide walks you through each utility, with exact costs, deadlines and the forms you need.
Start with electricity and internet the moment you have a signed rental contract. Both can take two to six weeks to activate. The Rundfunkbeitrag (often still called GEZ) must be registered within a week of moving in. Water you can usually ignore — it is bundled into your monthly Nebenkosten payment.
How to Register Utilities After Move-In
Once you have your rental contract and have completed your Anmeldung (address registration), you can set up utilities in Germany. The process is straightforward but time-sensitive. For electricity, you choose a provider and sign a contract online. For internet, you check availability at your address first, then order. For the Rundfunkbeitrag, you register directly with the Beitragsservice.
Keep your Meldebescheinigung (registration confirmation) handy — you will need your address and move-in date for every utility contract. If you delay, you will fall back on the Grundversorgung (default supply) for electricity, which costs more than a chosen tariff.
Electricity: Choosing a Provider and Avoiding Grundversorgung Traps
Every German city has a Grundversorgungsgebiet (default supply area). If you do not pick an electricity provider, your local Stadtwerk (municipal utility) supplies you automatically at the Grundversorgung tariff. This is the most expensive option — often EUR 0.35–0.45 per kWh in 2024, compared to EUR 0.25–0.35 with a chosen provider.
To avoid this, sign a contract with a provider of your choice before or within two weeks of moving in. Comparison portals like Verivox or Check24 let you filter by price, contract length and renewable energy share. Popular providers include E.ON, EnBW, Naturstrom and regional Stadtwerke. A typical three-person household pays roughly EUR 1,000–1,400 per year, depending on consumption.
When you sign up, you will need your Zählpunkt (meter point number), which is on the electricity meter in your flat or basement. If you cannot find it, ask your landlord or the local Netzbetreiber (grid operator). You can find your Netzbetreiber at bundesnetzagentur.de by entering your postcode.
When Should You Switch Electricity Provider?
You can switch electricity providers at any time, but the cheapest tariffs usually require a 12-month contract with a one-month notice period. If your contract ends, you automatically move into a Nachlaufzeit (follow-up tariff) at a higher rate. Mark your contract end date in your calendar and switch at least four weeks before it expires.
Switching is free. Your new provider handles the cancellation with the old one. You only need to provide your customer number and meter reading on the switch date. If you move house, you can either transfer your contract or cancel it — moving is a valid reason for early cancellation without penalty.
Internet: Best Providers and How to Get Connected
Internet in Germany comes in three types: DSL (telephone line), cable (coaxial) and fibre (Glasfaser). Availability varies street by street. Before signing anything, check your address on a comparison portal or directly with providers. Telekom has the widest DSL coverage; Vodafone leads in cable; 1&1 and O2 compete aggressively on price.
Installation takes two to eight weeks. A technician may need to visit your flat to activate the line or install a router. If you rent, get written permission from your landlord before any drilling or cabling work. Most contracts include a router (WLAN-Router) for free or a small monthly fee of EUR 5–10.
| Provider | Technology | Typical Speed | Monthly Cost (EUR) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telekom | DSL / Fibre | 50–1000 Mbit/s | 39.99–79.99 | 24 months |
| Vodafone | Cable / DSL | 50–1000 Mbit/s | 29.99–69.99 | 24 months |
| 1&1 | DSL / 5G | 50–500 Mbit/s | 24.99–59.99 | 24 months |
| O2 | DSL / Cable | 50–500 Mbit/s | 24.99–54.99 | 24 months |
| Pyur | Cable | 50–1000 Mbit/s | 29.99–69.99 | 24 months |
Prices are promotional for the first 12 months in most cases. After that, the rate increases by EUR 5–10. Always check the monatlicher Preis nach 12 Monaten (monthly price after 12 months) before signing.
Water: Why You Usually Do Not Need to Set It Up
Water supply in Germany is managed by your local Stadtwerk or municipal utility. As a tenant, you do not sign a separate water contract. Instead, water costs are included in your Nebenkostenabrechnung (utilities statement) once a year. Your landlord pays the water bill and passes the cost to you through your monthly Nebenkosten prepayment.
Typical water costs for a single person are EUR 15–30 per month, depending on the region. If you own a house, you must register directly with the local Wasserversorgung (water supplier) — your town hall can tell you which one serves your address.
How to Register for the Rundfunkbeitrag (GEZ)
The Rundfunkbeitrag is a mandatory broadcasting fee of EUR 18.36 per month per household, not per person. Since 2021, every household pays the same amount regardless of how many people live there or how many devices they own. You register at rundfunkbeitrag.de using form U1.
You must register within one week of moving in or of any change in your household. If you move, deregister your old address and register the new one. The fee is collected quarterly (EUR 55.08) or monthly by direct debit. If you do not register, the Beitragsservice will eventually find you through the population register and backdate the fee to your move-in date.
Can You Legally Avoid the GEZ Fee?
Almost no one can avoid the Rundfunkbeitrag. It applies to every household with a registered address, regardless of nationality, income or whether you own a television or radio. The only exemptions are for people who receive certain social benefits (Bürgergeld, BAföG, Grundsicherung) and are not required to register. Even then, you must apply for the exemption actively.
Refusing to pay is not a legal option. The Beitragsservice can enforce payment through the Finanzamt (tax office) or a collection agency. Unpaid fees accrue interest and can damage your Schufa credit score. If you are struggling financially, contact the Beitragsservice to arrange a payment plan rather than ignoring the bill.
How to Read Your Nebenkostenabrechnung
Once a year, your landlord sends a Nebenkostenabrechnung (utilities statement) showing what you prepaid versus what was actually spent. It covers water, heating, property tax, building insurance, stairwell cleaning, garden care and sometimes other items. The statement must arrive within 12 months of the billing period ending — if it arrives later, you do not have to pay any additional amount.
Check each line carefully. Compare the Vorauszahlung (prepayment) you made with the actual costs. If you overpaid, you get a refund. If you underpaid, you owe the difference. Common errors include incorrect heating allocations or charges for services that were not provided. You have one year from receiving the statement to dispute it in writing.
Heating costs are the largest variable. They are allocated either by consumption (if you have a Heizkostenverteiler on each radiator) or by living area. If your flat is poorly insulated or your neighbours heat aggressively, your bill can be higher than expected. Ask your landlord for the Energieausweis (energy certificate) before signing a lease to estimate heating costs.
Can You Choose Your Own Provider for Every Utility?
For electricity and internet, yes — you have full choice. For water and gas, it depends on your address. Some regions have only one Wasserversorgung or Gasversorgung (gas supplier). In that case, you use the default provider but can still negotiate the tariff if you own the property. Tenants have no choice for water or gas; these are landlord-managed.
Heating is even more restricted. Most German flats use district heating (Fernwärme) or a central building system. You cannot choose a heating provider as a tenant. If you own a house, you can choose between gas, oil, heat pump or district heating, subject to local infrastructure.
How to Cancel Utilities When Moving Out
When you move, cancel your electricity and internet contracts with at least one month’s notice. Provide your move-out date and a final meter reading (Zählerstand) on that day. Take a photo of the meter as proof. Send the cancellation in writing — email is sufficient for most providers, but registered mail (Einwurf-Einschreiben) gives you legal proof.
For the Rundfunkbeitrag, deregister at rundfunkbeitrag.de before you move. If you move to another German address, register the new one immediately. If you leave Germany permanently, deregister and provide proof of your departure date. Failure to deregister means the fee continues to accrue at your old address.
Your Nebenkostenabrechnung for the old flat will arrive up to 12 months after you leave. Make sure your landlord has your new address or a reliable way to reach you. If you overpaid, the refund goes to the bank account on file — update it before you leave.
What Happens If You Get It Wrong?
Missing the electricity switch deadline means you pay the expensive Grundversorgung tariff until you switch. Delaying internet installation can leave you without connectivity for weeks. Failing to register the Rundfunkbeitrag results in backdated fees plus potential enforcement costs. Ignoring a Nebenkostenabrechnung dispute deadline means you lose the right to challenge errors.
The good news: most mistakes are fixable. Switch electricity providers to escape Grundversorgung. Contact the Beitragsservice to set up a payment plan. Dispute your Nebenkostenabrechnung within the one-year window. The key is to act quickly and keep written records of every communication.
FAQ: Utilities in Germany
Do I need to set up water separately when I move in?
No. Water is included in your Nebenkosten prepayment as a tenant. Your landlord handles the water contract with the local utility. You only need to arrange water separately if you buy a house.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Germany?
O2 and 1&1 often offer the lowest entry prices at EUR 24.99–29.99 per month for the first year. However, check availability at your address first — the cheapest provider may not serve your street. After the promotional period, prices rise by EUR 5–10.
How long does it take to get internet installed in Germany?
Expect two to eight weeks from order to activation. If your flat already has a working connection, activation can be as fast as one to two weeks. New installations or fibre connections take longer and may require a technician visit.
Can I switch electricity providers mid-contract?
You can switch at any time, but breaking a 12-month contract early usually incurs a penalty. The exception is moving house — relocation allows early cancellation without penalty. Otherwise, wait until the contract ends and give one month’s notice.
Is the Rundfunkbeitrag really mandatory for everyone?
Yes, for virtually every household in Germany. The only exemptions are for people on certain social benefits who apply for a waiver. There is no legal way to opt out by simply not owning a television or radio.
Rules and fees change; confirm with the responsible office before you act. Electricity and internet prices vary by region and contract. The Rundfunkbeitrag rate is set by the Beitragsservice and adjusted periodically. Always verify current costs on the provider’s official website or at rundfunkbeitrag.de.
