Essentials: setting up your first contracts in Germany (2026)
Registration, mobile, internet and electricity — the order to follow, common traps and what you can actually save in your first weeks.
Your first two weeks: do these steps first
New arrivals in Germany are quickly buried in paperwork. The foundation is registration at the local citizens' office (Bürgeramt / Einwohnermeldeamt). Without a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung), you often cannot open a bank account, sign contracts or get a stable phone number — many providers require it.
Next, open a current account (Girokonto). Most contracts are paid by direct debit. Without a German account you often pay more or stay stuck on expensive prepaid or basic-supply tariffs.
In parallel, get a phone number — for appointments, bank confirmations and authorities. Prepaid is usually enough at first; you rarely need an expensive 24-month phone bundle immediately.
Electricity: the costliest mistake is doing nothing
Every flat has electricity — but many newcomers do not realise they are automatically on basic supply (Grundversorgung). That is your local supplier's default tariff and almost always the most expensive.
You do not have to keep the previous tenant's contract. Register with the grid operator (meter reading + move-in date) and switch to a cheaper tariff soon. Power keeps flowing; you only change the contract partner.
For comparison you need postcode, estimated annual use in kWh and ideally the meter number. Rule of thumb: one person about 1,500 kWh, two people about 2,500 kWh per year.
Internet and mobile: what comes first?
Mobile is set up faster than fixed-line internet. Prepaid or SIM-only with monthly cancellation gives flexibility until you know how long you will stay at your address.
Home internet (DSL, cable or fibre) often needs technician visits and minimum terms. Before signing, check which connection type is available at your address — not every street has fibre.
EU roaming works in Germany on many foreign contracts, but only temporarily. If you stay longer, a German SIM saves money — especially for data and local calls.
Common money traps for newcomers
Ignoring expensive basic electricity supply for months — often €200–400 wasted per year.
Signing a phone contract with an expensive handset and 24-month term before your address is settled.
Signing internet before checking whether the connection at your address is available or fast enough.
Broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag): €18.36 per month per household — mandatory, not optional, but a fixed cost from registration.
Signing contracts in a language you do not fully understand — minimum term, auto-renewal and back payments hide in the fine print.
How to compare without fluent German
Use comparison sites that structure providers and prices side by side — instead of browsing dozens of provider websites. VertragSpar explains key terms in German, English and Arabic before you compare.
Read the guide for each category (electricity, internet, mobile) first, then start the comparison. That way you understand how base fee, kWh price, data volume or minimum term affect the total.
Save screenshots of meter readings, contract confirmations and cancellation deadlines. That helps in disputes with providers — regardless of language.
Practical tips
- Keep registration certificate and ID copy ready — almost every contract asks for them.
- Photograph meter readings on move-in day (electricity, gas/water if applicable).
- Prepaid or SIM-only first — home internet once your address is settled.
- Compare electricity within the first four weeks, not “sometime later”.
- Highlight cancellation deadlines and auto-renewal in every contract.
- Read VertragSpar guides in your language, then compare.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Staying on basic electricity supply for months because “power works anyway”.
- Signing a 24-month phone bundle before address and job are stable.
- Booking internet without checking availability at your address.
- Looking only at the monthly price — ignoring bonus, term and year two.
- Not keeping copies of contracts and meter readings.
Checklist before you compare
- Registered at citizens' office
- Registration certificate received
- Current account opened
- Phone number active (prepaid or contract)
- Electricity meter reading documented
- Electricity tariff compared and switched
- Internet availability checked at address
- Broadcasting fee budgeted
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to sign all contracts immediately as a newcomer?
No. Priority: registration, bank account, phone. Switch electricity soon. Internet can wait until your address is settled.
Can I understand contracts in English or Arabic?
Contract documents are usually in German. VertragSpar explains key terms in several languages — the legally binding language remains German.
What is basic electricity supply (Grundversorgung)?
The automatic default tariff when you have not chosen a provider. It is almost always more expensive than a switched tariff.
Do I need a Schufa credit record as a newcomer?
For many contracts yes, but newcomers often have a thin file. Prepaid, SIM-only or providers with lighter checks are a good start.
Where can I get help if I do not understand a contract?
Read the matching guide on VertragSpar first, contact consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentrale) or get help from someone with German skills before signing.
Next steps: compare & save
Basics sorted? Put them to use — compare in the categories that matter most.
More articles
Registering at the Bürgeramt: step by step (2026)
Registration is the foundation for bank account, contracts and authorities. Which documents you need, how the appointment works and the deadlines that apply.
Opening a bank account: what matters as a newcomer (2026)
Almost no contract works without a current account. Which documents you need, branch vs. direct banks, and what to watch for in fees.