Switching electricity supplier in Germany: a clear checklist

An electricity comparison should use the full annual cost, not a headline bonus. Your consumption, price per kilowatt-hour, standing charge, contract term and price after any initial period all influence the result.

What to take from the latest bill

Find the annual consumption in kWh, current unit price, standing charge, contract end date and notice period. Also note the meter number or market-location ID and the customer number. These details help avoid delays or incorrect assignments.

Compare the first year and the period after it

A new-customer bonus can reduce the first-year total. Show it separately and calculate what the tariff would cost without that bonus. Check whether a price guarantee covers all price components and how long it lasts.

What happens during the switch?

The Federal Network Agency explains that the new supplier normally handles the technical change and, with authorisation, the cancellation of the old contract. Existing contractual notice periods still apply. A faster technical process does not automatically end a fixed contract earlier.

Practical checklist

1. Use the actual annual consumption from your bill.
2. Compare the complete annual cost and the follow-on price.
3. Check term, notice period, guarantee wording and bonus conditions.
4. Enter the meter and customer details carefully.
5. Photograph or record the meter reading on the change date.
6. Keep the old and new confirmations until the final bill is correct.

If you have a heat pump, storage heating or wallbox, tariff choice may be more limited and the metering setup can matter.

Use the electricity tariff page if you want help reading the figures before deciding.