Switching electricity providers in Germany: step by step

1. Check usage and contract end

Read your latest bill: annual kWh usage, current provider and contract end date. With basic supply (Grundversorgung) you can often switch on short notice.

Note your meter number (Stornummer) — the new provider will need it for registration.

Estimate usage realistically: older buildings with electric heating use more than new builds with gas — wrong figures skew comparisons.

2. Compare and choose a new tariff

Compare base fee and consumption price together — not kWh alone. Check minimum term, price guarantee and green power share if that matters to you.

After you sign up, the new provider usually cancels your old contract for you.

Welcome bonuses are nice — but calculate total cost over the full term, not just the first month.

3. Wait for the switch — power stays on

Switching typically takes 2–6 weeks. Your connection stays active — no interruption.

Keep the confirmation email and check the first bill from the new provider for correct usage and tariff.

During the switch, the old provider may still bill briefly — that is normal and gets settled in the process.

4. Avoid common mistakes

Do not sign up twice: if you already have an active contract, switch — do not run two contracts in parallel.

Read the meter on move-in and move-out days and report readings — otherwise you may face back payments.

Keep cancellation confirmation in case the old provider keeps charging.

5. Next step: compare tariffs

Comparing by postal code and kWh usage shows in minutes whether you can save hundreds of euros per year.

VertragSpar bundles the comparison — you pick the tariff, the new provider handles the rest.