Electricity (Strom): Setting Up Your Contract
Photograph the meter reading on move-in day — without it, disputing a previous tenant's debt is nearly impossible.
WHAT TO DO
What is it and when to do it?
In Germany you do not inherit the previous tenant’s electricity contract — you must set up your own. If you take no action, the local Grundversorger connects you automatically at an inflated tariff. The single most important thing: photograph the meter reading on your very first day, before anyone can change it.
Where and how much does it cost?
Switching provider is free and takes 1–2 weeks. Compare tariffs on Verivox.de or Check24.de and sign up online in 5 minutes. If you’d rather not spend the time comparing, staying with the Grundversorger is perfectly legal — just more expensive.
Common mistakes
Moved in without photographing the meter — a month later received a bill that included the previous tenant's debt. No dated photo, nothing to prove. Photograph the meter within the first 30 minutes of getting the keys.
Chose the cheapest tariff on Check24 with a short introductory period — after it ended the price doubled. Always read the small print: look for tariffs with no price-guarantee exclusions or a guaranteed rate for at least 12 months.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Grundversorger and do I need my own contract? ▾
The Grundversorger is the local default electricity supplier, legally obliged to serve any household under §36 EnWG. If you do nothing, they connect you automatically — but at a tariff that is 20–40% above the market average. Compare offers on Verivox or Check24 and switch in 1–2 weeks for free.
Is there a deadline for taking out a contract? ▾
No. But the longer you stay with the Grundversorger, the more you overpay. Switch within the first 2 weeks, before the first invoice from the default supplier arrives — otherwise you'll need to cancel and reconcile the billing.
The previous tenant didn't hand over a meter reading — what do I do? ▾
Photograph the meter immediately, making the meter number clearly readable. The timestamp in the EXIF metadata serves as proof. Submit the reading to your provider in writing — everything consumed before that date is formally attributed to the previous tenant.