Switching electricity providers in Germany: step by step (2026)
Special termination rights, bonus traps, price guarantees and the first bill — the complete guide to switching safely with no power loss.
Before you start: the details you need
A switch almost never fails on price — it fails on wrong data. Before comparing, get your latest annual bill. It contains everything you need: postal code, annual consumption in kWh, your current provider, the contract end date and the notice period.
Two numbers are easily confused. The meter number is printed on your meter and on the bill. The market location ID (MaLo-ID, 11 digits) uniquely identifies your connection — some providers ask for it, and it is also on the bill. With these details the new provider can handle the whole switch for you.
Estimate consumption honestly. Quote too low and you get a seemingly cheap tariff but a hefty bill at year-end. Rough guide: 1 person ~1,500 kWh, 2 people ~2,500 kWh, 4 people ~4,000 kWh — far more with electric hot water, a heat pump or an EV.
Your biggest lever: the special termination right
You do not have to wait for your contract to expire. If your provider raises the price, you gain a special right to terminate, effective when the increase takes effect — regardless of the agreed term. The notice arrives by letter or email; act promptly, usually within a few weeks.
In basic supply (Grundversorgung — the default tariff you land in if you never actively chose one) the legal notice period is just two weeks. Basic supply is almost always the most expensive option, so switching here pays off most and fastest.
A move also triggers a special termination right: if your old tariff cannot move with you or becomes more expensive at the new address, you may cancel even mid-term.
Read the tariff properly: bonus, price guarantee, term
The top result is often bait. That low annual price frequently exists only because of a one-off new-customer or instant bonus. Check: is the bonus credited immediately or only paid after 12 months? And what is the price in year two without it?
Mind the price guarantee. A limited price guarantee only fixes the pure energy price — taxes, levies and grid fees can still change. For most households that is perfectly fine; a “full” price guarantee often costs a premium.
Choose the term deliberately. A 12-month minimum term is common. Good to know: since 2022 contracts may no longer auto-renew for a full year — after the minimum term they are cancellable monthly with one month’s notice. So focus above all on a fair price guarantee and a moderate follow-up price.
The switch runs almost by itself
Once you decide, you sign up online — and the new provider does the rest: it cancels your old contract and registers with the grid operator. You usually do not need to cancel anything yourself.
Crucially, your power is never cut off. Physical supply runs through the local grid operator and is protected by law — you only change the contracting party, not the line. Even if something went wrong, you would automatically fall back into basic supply.
The switch usually takes only a few weeks. You receive a confirmation with the exact start date. On that day, read your meter and photograph it — that is your evidence for the old provider’s final bill.
After the switch: prepayment and first bill
The monthly prepayment (Abschlag) is an advance on your expected annual usage. Set too high, you give the provider an interest-free loan; set too low, a back payment looms. Adjust it to your real usage — usually one click in your online account.
Check the old provider’s final bill: does the meter reading match your photo? Was any credit refunded? Object in writing if anything is off.
Set a reminder about two months before the contract ends. That way you avoid automatic renewal on worse terms and can compare again in time — because today’s cheapest tariff is rarely the cheapest a year from now.
Practical tips
- Always compare using your real annual kWh — not the calculator’s default value.
- Filter for monthly billing and “bonus credited immediately” if you do not want to wait a year for payout.
- Pick a term of at most 12 months and check the contract renews by only one month.
- Save the start date and your meter reading on switch day — a photo is enough as proof.
- Set a calendar reminder two months before the contract ends to compare again.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Looking only at the top result: the low price often applies only in year one, bonus included.
- Quoting consumption too low — it leads to a back payment at year-end.
- Cancelling the old contract yourself when the new provider already does it — double cancellation causes chaos.
- Not recording the meter reading on switch day and later having no proof against the final bill.
- Missing the renewal date and paying the expensive follow-up price longer than necessary.
Checklist before you compare
- Latest annual bill with kWh usage and postal code at hand.
- Contract end date and notice period of the current tariff noted.
- Meter number (and MaLo-ID if asked) found.
- Bonus, price guarantee and term of the chosen tariff checked.
- Payment method and prepayment amount set realistically.
- Reminder set for the next switch review.
Frequently asked questions
Will my power be cut off during the switch?
No. Physical supply runs through the grid operator and is protected by law. You only change the contracting party — there is no interruption.
Do I have to cancel my old contract myself?
Usually not. The new provider handles the cancellation. Only with a special termination right or in rare cases is your own cancellation sensible.
How long does switching take?
Usually only a few weeks. You receive a confirmation with the exact start date of the new tariff.
What is the special termination right?
If your provider raises the price, you may terminate effective when the increase takes effect — regardless of the agreed term.
Is it worth switching every year?
Often yes. Bonuses usually apply to new customers only, and basic supply is expensive. An annual comparison keeps your costs low.
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