Connection to the Internet, TV and electricity

Connection to the Internet, TV and electricity
A comprehensive guide for expats, students, and all newcomers

General Principle and Sequence of Actions

The order in which you set up services for your new home is important. Here is the recommended sequence:

Internet/TV first: The waiting time for an internet connection can be several weeks, so this should be your top priority to avoid a long period without service .
Residence Registration (Anmeldung): You will need your registered address for most contracts. This should be done soon after moving in.
Electricity: A working electricity supply is crucial from day one. The good news is that this can be arranged very quickly, often even retroactively.

1. Internet and Television

This is the service that often requires the most patience.
Choosing a Provider:

Provider	Characteristics
Telekom	More expensive, but considered the most reliable with the best customer support.
Vodafone	A major provider, particularly strong in cable internet (Kabel).
O2 / 1&1	Often offer more budget-friendly alternatives.

Key Points to Check in the Contract (Vertrag):

Minimum Contract Term (Vertragslaufzeit): Usually 24 months.
Monthly Fee (Monatspreis): The base cost.
Activation and Shipping Costs (Anschlusspreis / Versandkosten): Can range from 0 to 70 €.
Modem/Router Rental (Modem/Router Miete): Often included in the monthly fee (about 5 €). In some cases, you can buy your own device to save money.
Cancellation Period (Kündigungsfrist): Usually 3 months before the contract ends.

Step-by-Step: Ordering and Connection

Order online: Fill out the application on the provider's website or a comparison portal. You will need your passport details and your registered address (Anmeldung).
Receive equipment: After a few days, you will receive the modem/router and a welcome letter.
**Schedule a technician appointment (Technikertermin): This is the most critical step! The provider will assign a date for a technician to physically connect the line to your apartment. Waiting times can range from 2 to 6 weeks . Prepare for this delay.
Connection: On the appointed day, the technician connects the line. You will only need to plug in the modem, set up your Wi-Fi, and wait for the digital activation, which can sometimes take a few days.

Alternative: Prepaid Mobile Internet
If you cannot wait, consider a mobile plan with a large data volume (e.g., from O2, Vodafone, Congstar). Buy a SIM card, put it in a 4G/5G router, and use it immediately. The downside is that it can be less stable and more expensive in the long run.

Connecting Electricity (Strom)

In Germany, you cannot be without electricity. When you move into a new apartment, the power will already be working. This is because you are automatically supplied under the "basic service" tariff (Grundversorgung) by the local basic supplier (Grundversorger) . This provides security and ensures you have power from day one, but this tariff is usually one of the most expensive options. Therefore, your goal should be to find a cheaper deal.

Step 1: Find Your Basic Supplier (Grundversorger)
Every city and region has a designated basic supplier, usually the local Stadtwerke . When you move in, your electricity will automatically come from this company.

How to Find Yours: You can ask your landlord (Hausverwaltung) or neighbors, or simply search online for "Grundversorger Strom [your city]". The city of Gaggenau, for example, states that its basic service tariff from January 1, 2026, has a working price of 35.96 ct/kWh and a basic price of €16.47/month (for consumption over 601 kWh). The Stadtwerke Hameln Weserbergland also offers a basic service tariff with a working price of 11.15 ct/kWh and a basic price of €12.00/month.

Step 2: Use Comparison Websites
The standard and most effective way to find a cheaper tariff is to use an online comparison platform.

The Top Portals: The two market leaders are Check24 and Verivox. You can also use Einfachvergleichen.de, a third-party platform that shows results from multiple portals side-by-side.
What You Need to Enter:
Postal Code: Your new address.
Start Date: The date you want the contract to begin (usually your move-in date).
Estimated Annual Consumption (Stromverbrauch): If you don't know it, use these estimates: 1,500-2,000 kWh for a single-person household, 3,500-5,000 kWh for a family. You can also ask the previous tenant or your landlord.
How to Compare: The site will show a list of tariffs. You should sort by the lowest price per kWh (Arbeitspreis), as this has the biggest impact on your bill.

Step 3: Choose the Right Tariff
Pay attention to the following key elements when comparing offers:

Working Price (Arbeitspreis): This is the price in cents per kilowatt-hour. It is the most important figure. For example, the Stadtwerke Düren's basic service tariff from March 1, 2026, has a working price of 36.69 ct/kWh (gross).
Basic Price (Grundpreis): This is a fixed monthly or annual fee that is independent of your consumption. For instance, the basic service tariff for Gaggenau from January 1, 2026, has a basic price of €16.47/month for consumption over 601 kWh.
Bonuses (Bonus): Many providers offer a welcome bonus (Willkommensbonus) for signing up and sometimes a loyalty bonus (Treuebonus) after 12 months. These can significantly reduce your net cost. However, be aware that bonuses are often a major factor in finding a cheap tariff, but they are not always reliable.
Contract Duration (Vertragslaufzeit): The duration is usually 12 or 24 months. Prices and bonuses are often tied to this period.
Price Guarantee (Preisgarantie): Some tariffs offer a guarantee that the price will not change for a specific period, giving you planning security. For example, the Stadtwerke Lübeck is offering a tariff with a price guarantee until June 30, 2028.

Step 4: Order Online
The process for switching to a new provider is usually fully online.

Fill Out the Application: Complete the online form on the comparison site or the provider's website. You will need:

Your new address and the move-in date.
Meter Number (Zählernummer): You can find this on the electricity meter in your apartment.
Meter Reading (Zählerstand): The exact reading on the day you move in. This is crucial. It is the starting point for your contract.
Your Bank Account Details: For the SEPA direct debit mandate.

Automatic Cancellation: One of the biggest advantages is that your new provider will handle the cancellation of the old contract with your basic supplier (Grundversorger) . You do not need to take any action yourself. As stated by Stadtwerke Menden, you can leave the basic service at any time with a 14-day notice period.

Pro-Tip: The Stadtwerke Menden offers the option to switch to a different tariff with a 14-day notice period . If you choose the wrong tariff initially, you can correct your decision later without being locked into a long-term contract.

Television (TV) – A Supplement to Internet

There are several ways to watch television in Germany, each with its own advantages and costs.
1. Free-to-Air Antenna TV (DVB-T2): You can receive public channels like ARD, ZDF, and RTL for free using an antenna or an antenna socket in your apartment. However, a paid service called freenet TV is required to watch private channels in HD. This service will become more expensive starting in 2026, increasing from €7.99 to €9.49 per month .
2. IPTV / Smart TV: This is currently the most popular method. You can watch content through internet-based services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, or the media libraries of German public broadcasters (ARD Mediathek, ZDF Mediathek). This option offers great flexibility.
3. Bundles from Internet Providers: When you sign up for internet (e.g., with Vodafone, Telekom), you can often add a TV package with a broader range of channels. For example, Telekom offers a MagentaTV Smart package, which currently has a promotion that includes a Hisense QLED TV . Pay attention to the 24-month minimum contract term for such bundles .
4. Satellite TV (Satellit): This is less common for renters, as it usually requires the installation of a satellite dish, which needs the landlord's permission.

Alternative to Cable TV: TV Streaming Services
If you have a stable internet connection (at least 6 Mbit/s for SD, 16 Mbit/s for HD), switching to a streaming service can be a cheaper alternative to DVB-T2. Popular options include Waipu.tv (often around €6.49/month) and Zattoo (often around €6.99/month). These services offer a wide selection of channels, including all major German broadcasters in HD.
The Mandatory Fee: Rundfunkbeitrag (formerly GEZ)
This is not a subscription for a specific service; it is a mandatory state fee to finance public broadcasting. Every household is obligated to pay it, regardless of their media consumption habits.

The 'One Household, One Fee' Rule: The fee is charged per apartment, not per person. If you live alone, you pay one amount. If a family of four lives together, they also pay one amount.
Current Fee: The monthly fee remains €18.36 in 2026. The independent KEF commission recommends a slight increase to €18.64 starting in 2027. This increase is still pending approval by the federal states.
Legal Dispute: The public broadcasters ARD and ZDF have filed a constitutional complaint against the current 2026 fee freeze. They argue that the current funds are insufficient, while state authorities argue the broadcasters still have substantial reserves.
How to Pay: After you register your address (Anmeldung), you will automatically receive a letter with the details for registration and payment. Do not ignore it! Failing to pay can lead to significant fines and legal trouble.

If you received a letter with a fine, but you do not agree with it, you can appeal it.

Summary: Current Facts

Internet: Be prepared for 2 to 6 weeks waiting time for a technician. The activation process and customer service can be challenging for all providers. The "o2 Homespot M" is a concrete example of a technician-free, immediate solution starting at €19.99 per month in the first year.
Electricity and Gas: The basic service (Grundversorgung) ensures you have supply from day one. Prices were updated on January 1, 2026. You do not need to sign a contract to have power; the basic service starts automatically if you do nothing. The basic service has a short 14-day cancellation period, offering a high degree of flexibility.
TV/Radio Fee: The monthly fee remains €18.36. The fee is charged per apartment, and it is your responsibility to register with the contribution service.

Brief checklist and deadlines

4-6 weeks before moving: Start searching for an internet provider and order a connection.
Immediately after moving: Read your electricity meter.
Select and connect to an electricity plan (this can be done within the first 2-3 weeks).
Register on the Rundfunkbeitrag website to pay the TV fee.