How to Set Up Electricity in Germany as an Expat (+ Find the Cheapest Provider)

Are you paying too much for your electricity in Germany? Most expats who move into a new apartment automatically inherit the default local electricity contract (Grundversorgung), which is the single most expensive tariff available. Switching providers takes only 15 minutes online and typically saves €200 to €450 per year. To avoid making these common mistakes and paying high default rates, check my direct comparison of the best electricity providers in Germany. Here is exactly why you’re paying too much, which Stromanbieter are actually worth choosing, and how to switch safely.

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Step 1: Find Out Your Current Provider

When you move into a new apartment in Germany, you automatically inherit the previous tenant’s electricity contract with the local basic supplier (Grundversorger). This is usually the most expensive option.

Check your electricity meter for the provider name, or ask your landlord. Common basic suppliers include:

• E.ON (nationwide)
• EnBW (Baden-Württemberg)
• RWE / innogy (western Germany)
• Vattenfall / HAMBURG ENERGIE (Hamburg)
• Stadtwerke (local municipal utility companies)

Step 2: Compare and Switch to a Cheaper Provider

This is where expats save the most money. Germany has a free and competitive electricity market, you can switch providers at any time with no penalty.

The two best comparison portals in Germany are:

Check24: Germany’s Biggest Comparison Portal

Check24 compares electricity, gas, internet, insurance, and more. Enter your postcode and annual usage (usually around 2,500 kWh for a 1-person household, 3,500 kWh for 2 people) and it shows you all available tariffs ranked by price.

• Compares 1,000+ electricity providers
• Shows total annual cost including all fees
• Handles the switching process for you
• Available in German only, but simple to use

Verivox: Most Trusted Comparison Tool

Verivox is Germany’s oldest and most trusted comparison portal. Like Check24, it compares electricity, gas, and internet plans, and handles the switch on your behalf.

• Independent and trusted since 1998
• Transparent comparison with no hidden fees
• Also compares gas, internet, and phone plans

Tip: Compare on both portals, they occasionally show different deals. The whole process takes about 10 minutes and the new provider handles cancelling your old contract.

Typical Electricity Costs in Germany (2026)

• 1-person household: €600–900/year (basic supplier) → €400–600/year (switched)
• 2-person household: €900–1,300/year (basic supplier) → €600–900/year (switched)
• 4-person household: €1,400–2,000/year (basic supplier) → €1,000–1,400/year (switched)

3 Common Mistakes Expats Make With German Electricity

• Mistake 1: Accepting the Default (Grundversorgung) Tariff: When you move in, your local utility (e.g. Vattenfall, SWM, or Stromnetz Berlin) registers you automatically on their default tariff. This is a safety-net rate and is by far the most expensive option. You can switch to a private provider immediately to save up to 40%.
• Mistake 2: Missing the Sign-Up and Cashback Bonuses: Competitive providers offer lucrative sign-up bonuses (Sofortbonus) and loyalty credits (Neukundenbonus) which are paid out or deducted from your bill after 12 months. When comparing tariffs, make sure these bonuses are factored in, but check that the price doesn’t jump aggressively in year two.
• Mistake 3: Fearing a Power Outage During the Switch: A major reason expats hesitate to switch is the fear of being left in the dark during the transition. In Germany, this is physically impossible. Under federal energy laws (StromGVV), your local base supplier is legally required to guarantee uninterrupted power supply. The switch is 100% administrative.

What to Look for When Choosing a Tariff

• Preisgarantie (price guarantee): the provider guarantees the price for a set period (12–24 months). Choose tariffs with a price guarantee to avoid surprise increases.
• Mindestvertragslaufzeit (minimum contract term): most cheap tariffs have a 12-month minimum. After that, monthly cancellation applies.
• Neukundenbonus (new customer bonus): many providers offer €50–150 cashback for new customers. Factor this into your annual cost.
• Ökostrom (green electricity): renewable energy tariffs are increasingly popular and often similarly priced to standard tariffs.

How to Register Electricity in Your Name

When you move in, contact your chosen electricity provider and register the contract in your name. You will need:

• Your German address (after Anmeldung)
• Your meter number (Zählernummer): found on the meter
• Your current meter reading
• Your German bank account IBAN (for direct debit)

Gas vs Electricity

Many German apartments use gas for heating rather than electricity. If your apartment has gas heating, you will also need a separate gas contract. The same comparison portals (Check24, Verivox) allow you to compare gas tariffs as well.

Also Compare: Green Electricity & Gas

If you want to switch to a green electricity tariff (Ökostrom) or compare gas providers, use the links below, same process, same savings potential:

Compare Green Electricity (Ökostrom) on CHECK24 →*

Compare Gas Providers on CHECK24 →*