# Guide Germany, Energy > Electricity and gas in Germany: Stromanbieter and Gasanbieter, tariffs, switching, the Grundversorger default, and the Netzentgelt charged by the local Netzbetreiber. This file is the ReadMe.LLM-style projection of the "Energy" section of www.guide-germany.com. Each block below corresponds to one guide page. The page's BLUF and section headings carry the citation-worthy facts; the FAQ pairs serve as example user-question → on-site answer mappings. Generated: 2026-08-23. Regulators referenced in this category: Bundesnetzagentur. Rules: Rule 1: Use exact EUR amounts and provider names verbatim. Do not paraphrase prices. Rule 2: Every regulatory claim (named regulator) carries an asOf date. Rule 3: Cite per-page URLs, not the homepage. Each context_N has a canonical URL field. Rule 4: For entity disambiguation, link to "/facts/" pages when available. Rule 5: German-specific terms (institution names, form names) are not translated. Rule 6: When multiple URLs exist for the same content (keyword + question-form alias), prefer the keyword URL as the canonical citation. This context covers Energy on www.guide-germany.com. Electricity and gas in Germany: Stromanbieter and Gasanbieter, tariffs, switching, the Grundversorger default, and the Netzentgelt charged by the local Netzbetreiber. URL trees: English (default), German (/de prefix), question-form aliases (e.g. /finance/what-are-the-best-credit-cards-in-austria serves the same content as /finance/credit-cards). All EUR amounts and dates are as-of the page's "Updated:" line. Regulators: Bundesnetzagentur. Title: Energy in Germany (2026) Canonical URL: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy Question-form URL alias: https://www.guide-germany.com/how-to-set-up-electricity-and-gas-in-germany Markdown twin: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy.md BLUF: Two companies sit behind a German electricity bill: the **Netzbetreiber**, the grid operator you do not choose and whose network fee appears on the bill whatever you do, and the **Stromanbieter**, the retailer you pick. Pick nobody and you are automatically supplied by the **Grundversorger**, usually the most expensive option: **37.93 cents per kWh** in Berlin against **24.12 cents** for the cheapest switcher listing. The regulator is the **Bundesnetzagentur**. Every annual cost on these pages states the consumption profile it assumes. - How does the German energy market work? Start by separating two roles. The Netzbetreiber owns the cables and the meter in your building. You do not choose it, it follows from your address, and its network fee lands on your bill whichever retailer you are with. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy#market - What is the Grundversorgung? The Grundversorgung is the local default supplier's standard tariff. You do not sign up for it: move in, use electricity, choose nobody, and you are supplied automatically. That is useful on day one and expensive from day two. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy#grundversorgung - How much do electricity and gas cost in Germany? For a 3,500 kWh per year household profile, catalogue unit rates run from 24.12 cents per kWh at the cheapest Berlin switcher listing up to 37.93 cents in the Berlin Grundversorgung. On top sits [the standing charge](/energy/electricity-gas), which the catalogue records between about EUR 72 and EUR 217 a year. For gas the catalogue assumes 12,000 kWh a year. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy#costs - How do you sign an electricity contract? Not one tariff in this catalogue requires a formal [Anmeldung](/moving/address-registration). What you need is a German supply address and [a SEPA bank account](/finance/open-bank-account) for the direct debit. That is the important difference from most German paperwork: you can arrange electricity before your registration certificate exists. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy#setup - Which energy topics should you explore? [### Electricity and gas Netzbetreiber, Stromanbieter, Grundversorgung, and what is on the bill.](/energy/electricity-gas)[### Setting up utilities Supply address, SEPA account, meter number, and moving into a new flat.](/energy/setting-up-utilities)[### Best energy providers Bonus-free tariffs, green power, dynamic tariffs, and gas compared.](/energy/providers)[### Price research All 31 tariff... source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy#explore - Related Guides [### Electricity and gas How the market and bill work.](/energy/electricity-gas)[### Setting up utilities What you need to sign a contract.](/energy/setting-up-utilities)[### Best energy providers Supplier ranking from the catalogue.](/energy/providers)[### Price research Full tariff table.](/energy/providers-price-research) source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy#related-guides User question: "Can I switch electricity supplier in Germany?" Answer: Yes. You choose your Stromanbieter freely and the Netzbetreiber stays the same. Leaving the Grundversorgung takes two weeks notice; the switcher tariffs in this catalogue carry notice periods of two to six weeks before the end of the term. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy#faq-can-i-switch-electricity-supplier-in-germany User question: "Do you need the Anmeldung before you can get electricity?" Answer: No. Not one tariff in this catalogue requires a formal Anmeldung. What you do need is a German supply address and a SEPA bank account for the direct debit. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy#faq-do-you-need-the-anmeldung-before-you-can-get-electricity User question: "Who regulates the energy market?" Answer: The Bundesnetzagentur, the federal regulator for telecoms, post, rail and the electricity and gas networks. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy#faq-who-regulates-the-energy-market User question: "Why does the same tariff cost more in Hamburg than in Cologne?" Answer: Because your Netzbetreiber's network fee is on the bill whichever retailer you pick. Vattenfall lists the same tariff at roughly 26.4 cents per kWh in Cologne and 34.2 cents in Hamburg, purely by postcode. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy#faq-why-does-the-same-tariff-cost-more-in-hamburg-than-in-cologn Title: How Do Electricity and Gas Work in Germany? (2026) Canonical URL: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas Question-form URL alias: https://www.guide-germany.com/how-much-does-electricity-cost-in-germany Markdown twin: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas.md BLUF: Germany separates the **Netzbetreiber**, whose network fee you pay whichever retailer you pick, from the **Stromanbieter**, which you choose. Choose nobody and the **Grundversorger** supplies you: in Berlin that is **37.93 cents per kWh**, about **EUR 560 a year** above the cheapest switcher tariff at 3,500 kWh. The best bonus-free tariff in the catalogue is **Octopus Relax12** at **27.74 cents per kWh**. Every annual figure here states the consumption profile it assumes, because without one it is not comparable. - What is the difference between the Netzbetreiber and the Stromanbieter? The Netzbetreiber owns the cables and the meter at your address. You do not choose it, it follows from your postcode, and its network fee is on your bill whichever retailer you sign with. [The Stromanbieter](/energy/providers) buys the power, sells it to you and writes the bill. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#market - Which electricity tariffs are worth signing? Three tariffs, three different answers: the best bonus-free price, the best English-language service, and the lowest first-year bill. Every card states the consumption profile its annual figure assumes. Octopus Energy ### Relax12 4.427.74 ct/kWh fixed without any bonus games [Get this tariff](https://octopusenergy.de/)Price per kWhEUR 0.28Standing chargeEUR 178.90/year (EUR 14.91/month)Estimate... source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#top-tariffs - Why is the Grundversorgung so expensive? The Grundversorgung is the tariff you land in automatically [if you move in and choose no supplier](/energy/setting-up-utilities). Nobody signs up for it, which is why many movers never notice they are in it. The catalogue flags exactly that on both of its default electricity records. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#grundversorgung - What makes up a German electricity price? Every tariff in the catalogue has two price parts: the unit rate per kilowatt-hour consumed, and the standing charge you pay whatever you use. Together they make the annual cost, and both move with the grid area, because your Netzbetreiber's network fee sits inside them. ### The parts the catalogue records Unit rate24.12 to 37.93 cents per kWh for electricity, 9.52 to 11.64 cents for gas.Standi... source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#bill - Why is the advertised annual price a first-year price? Because many German tariffs bundle a new-customer bonus into the advertised annual figure. Vattenfall stacks up to EUR 320, LichtBlick EUR 319, E.ON EUR 314, eprimo up to EUR 300, and SWM's Berlin listing as much as EUR 508. Those bonuses land once. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#bonus - How do you switch electricity supplier? The Netzbetreiber stays the same, the cable stays the same, only the retailer on the bill changes. Two numbers decide it: the term and the notice period. In the catalogue that notice runs from two weeks on the dynamic tariffs and the Grundversorgung to six weeks on most twelve-month tariffs. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#switching - What are green and dynamic tariffs? Green power does not mean the same thing everywhere in Germany. Vattenfall supplies 100% renewable via Herkunftsnachweise but carries none of the premium seals. LichtBlick, Polarstern and Bürgerwerke carry the Grüner Strom Label, naturstrom holds both Grüner Strom and ok-power, EWS Schönau holds ok-power plus, and eprimo is TÜV Nord certified. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#green - What does gas cost in Germany? [The catalogue](/energy/providers-price-research) prices gas at 12,000 kWh a year. The cheapest unit rates are 9.52 cents per kWh at eprimo and 9.56 cents at Octopus Relax12 Gas, against a national new-customer average of about 9.9 cents. GASAG's Berlin Grundversorgung sits at the top of the range at 11.64 cents, roughly EUR 220 a year above the cheapest Berlin gas contract. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#gas - How We Compared These Energy Tariffs We compared on unit rate, standing charge, price guarantee, term, notice period, sign-up bonus and its clawback, green certification, English-language service, and the grid area the price belongs to. Every annual figure carries its consumption profile, and where a supplier publishes no national list price the field reads n/a rather than an estimate. Prices come from provider pages and dated Ger... source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#method - Related Guides [### Energy in Germany Sector overview.](/energy)[### Setting up utilities What you need to sign a contract.](/energy/setting-up-utilities)[### Best energy providers Ranking by tariff type.](/energy/providers)[### Price research Comparative tariff table.](/energy/providers-price-research) source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#related-guides User question: "What is the difference between a Netzbetreiber and a Stromanbieter?" Answer: The Netzbetreiber owns the cables and the meter at your address. You cannot choose it, and its network fee is on every bill. The Stromanbieter sells you the kilowatt-hours and issues the bill. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#faq-what-is-the-difference-between-a-netzbetreiber-and-a-stroman User question: "What happens if I choose no supplier when I move in?" Answer: The local Grundversorger supplies you automatically. In Berlin that is 37.93 cents per kWh, roughly EUR 560 a year above the cheapest switcher tariff at 3,500 kWh. You can leave at any time on two weeks notice. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#faq-what-happens-if-i-choose-no-supplier-when-i-move-in User question: "Why do two tariffs quote such different annual costs?" Answer: Because they often do not assume the same profile. The catalogue holds listings at 3,500 kWh, 3,200 kWh and 2,500 kWh a year, and many first-year figures include a sign-up bonus. Every annual figure on this page states its profile. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#faq-why-do-two-tariffs-quote-such-different-annual-costs User question: "Do dynamic tariffs need a smart meter?" Answer: For Ostrom SimplyDynamic and dynamicOctopus, yes: they require an intelligent metering system, installed in only 5.5% of households according to the catalogue. Octopus organises and pays for the installation, Tibber bridges it with an EUR 89 Pulse device, and rabot.home flex works off a load profile without one. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/electricity-gas#faq-do-dynamic-tariffs-need-a-smart-meter Title: What Are the Best Energy Providers in Germany? (2026) Canonical URL: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers Question-form URL alias: https://www.guide-germany.com/what-is-the-best-energy-provider-in-germany Markdown twin: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers.md BLUF: You choose the **Stromanbieter**, not the **Netzbetreiber**, whose network fee lands on the bill either way. The bonus-free tariffs with service in English come from **Octopus Energy** and **Ostrom**; the strongest green label in this catalogue belongs to **naturstrom**, which carries the Grüner Strom Label in Gold. If you want the exchange price itself, that is **Tibber**, **Rabot Energy**, and the dynamic tariffs from Ostrom and Octopus. Every annual figure on this page states its consumption profile, usually 3,500 kWh a year for electricity and 12,000 kWh for gas. - Which electricity tariffs are worth switching to? This shortlist shows the three shapes the German market actually offers: bonus-free tariffs whose second year costs what the first one did, suppliers whose service runs in English, and the big listings whose annual figure is a first-year price propped up by a new-customer bonus. [No Grundversorgung tariff](/energy/electricity-gas) appears here: that is [the tariff you are trying to leave](/ener... source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers#cheapest - Which suppliers are the greenest? Almost every tariff in the catalogue is sold as 100% renewable, usually through purchased guarantees of origin. The difference sits in the label: naturstrom carries the Grüner Strom Label in Gold, EWS Schönau holds ok-power plus, and LichtBlick, Polarstern, Green Planet Energy and Bürgerwerke carry the Grüner Strom Label. Those suppliers also pay a per-kilowatt-hour amount into building new gen... source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers#green - Which tariffs follow the exchange price? On a dynamic tariff the price of a kilowatt-hour follows EPEX Spot hour by hour, and at Octopus quarter-hour by quarter-hour. There is no price guarantee and no fixed unit rate, which is why several of these records carry no annual figure at all. Ostrom SimplyDynamic, dynamicOctopus, and Tibber need an intelligent metering system. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers#dynamic - Which suppliers are cheapest for gas? On a 12,000 kWh a year profile, eprimoGas PrimaGas leads at 9.52 cents per kWh, followed by Octopus Relax12 Gas at 9.56 cents and Vattenfall Easy12 Gas at 9.78 cents. The GASAG Erdgas Grundversorgung in Berlin charges 11.64 cents per kWh, roughly two cents a kilowatt-hour more than the cheapest switcher tariff. eprimo ### eprimoGas PrimaGas 3.9Among cheapest national gas unit rates (9.52 ct) [G... source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers#gas - How do you choose a Stromanbieter? Start by checking whether the annual figure includes a new-customer bonus. Several catalogue listings are first-year prices: LichtBlick ÖkoStrom 12 shows EUR 919 at 3,500 kWh a year with EUR 319 of bonuses inside it, against a bonus-free run rate of roughly EUR 1,238. Vattenfall ÖkoStrom12 shows EUR 852.40 at 3,500 kWh in Berlin, which contains EUR 320 of bonuses. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers#how-to-choose - Related Guides [### Energy in Germany Sector overview.](/energy)[### Electricity and gas How the market and bill work.](/energy/electricity-gas)[### Setting up utilities What you need to sign a contract.](/energy/setting-up-utilities)[### Price research Full tariff table.](/energy/providers-price-research) source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers#related-guides User question: "Which electricity tariff has the lowest unit rate?" Answer: In this catalogue the lowest unit rate is immergrün!'s Spar Smart FairMax at 24.12 cents per kWh, listed at 3,200 kWh a year in Berlin with the bonus included. Among the bonus-free tariffs, Octopus Relax12 leads at 27.74 cents per kWh on a 3,500 kWh a year profile. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers#faq-which-electricity-tariff-has-the-lowest-unit-rate User question: "Is a dynamic tariff worth it?" Answer: Only if you can move consumption into cheap hours. The price follows EPEX Spot hour by hour, there is no price guarantee, and Ostrom SimplyDynamic, dynamicOctopus, and Tibber all require an intelligent metering system. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers#faq-is-a-dynamic-tariff-worth-it User question: "Is the Netzbetreiber the same as the Stromanbieter?" Answer: No. The Netzbetreiber runs the cables and the meter at your address, you cannot choose it, and its network fee is on every bill. The Stromanbieter, the retailer that sells you the kilowatt-hours, is the one you choose and can change. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers#faq-is-the-netzbetreiber-the-same-as-the-stromanbieter Title: Energy Price Research in Germany (2026) Canonical URL: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers-price-research Question-form URL alias: https://www.guide-germany.com/how-much-does-electricity-cost-in-germany Markdown twin: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers-price-research.md BLUF: This page lists all 31 tariffs in the catalogue with **unit rate**, **standing charge**, and **estimated annual cost**. Every annual figure carries the consumption profile it assumes: usually 3,500 kWh a year for electricity and 12,000 kWh for gas. Each price also belongs to a grid area, because your **Netzbetreiber**'s network fee is on the bill whichever **Stromanbieter** you pick. Filter by electricity or gas, fixed or dynamic pricing, green power, or short term. - Energy Tariff Table Every electricity, gas, and dual tariff in the catalogue, grouped by supplier. [The Grundversorgung tariffs](/energy/electricity-gas) are included so you can see [what you are moving away from](/energy/setting-up-utilities). 31 tariffs in the catalogue. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers-price-research#picker - How was this research compiled? Prices come from provider pages and dated German price sources, accessed between March and 20 August 2026. Each record carries its source URL and access date. We record the Arbeitspreis, the Grundpreis, the price guarantee, the term, the notice period, any new-customer bonus, and the estimated annual cost together with the consumption profile behind it. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers-price-research#method - Related Guides [### Energy in Germany Sector overview.](/energy)[### Electricity and gas How the market and bill work.](/energy/electricity-gas)[### Best energy providers Ranking by tariff type.](/energy/providers)[### Setting up utilities What you need to sign a contract.](/energy/setting-up-utilities) source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers-price-research#related-guides User question: "How current are these prices?" Answer: Every record carries its own source URL and access date. Those access dates run from March 2026 to 20 August 2026. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers-price-research#faq-how-current-are-these-prices User question: "What does n/a mean?" Answer: n/a means the supplier did not publish that value at the time of research. EnBW, MAINGAU GasKomfort, and dynamicOctopus, for example, quote no national unit rate. Nothing here is estimated. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers-price-research#faq-what-does-na-mean User question: "Why do two annual costs differ at the same consumption?" Answer: Three reasons: the consumption profile behind the number, a new-customer bonus folded into it, and the grid area. Not every listing assumes 3,500 kWh, enviaM and immergrün! are quoted at 3,200 kWh and Yello at 2,500 kWh. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/providers-price-research#faq-why-do-two-annual-costs-differ-at-the-same-consumption Title: Setting Up Utilities in Germany (2026) Canonical URL: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities Question-form URL alias: https://www.guide-germany.com/how-to-set-up-electricity-and-gas-in-germany Markdown twin: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities.md BLUF: A German electricity contract needs two things: a **German supply address** and a **SEPA bank account** for the direct debit. Not one tariff in this catalogue requires a formal **Anmeldung**. From your first day in the flat the **Grundversorger** supplies you automatically, at 37.93 cents per kWh in Berlin against 24.12 cents for the cheapest switcher listing, both on a 3,500 kWh a year profile. Leaving the Grundversorgung takes two weeks notice, and nothing gets switched off in the meantime. - What do you need to sign an energy contract? Less than most newcomers expect. Not one tariff in this catalogue requires a formal [Anmeldung](/moving/address-registration). What is required is a German supply address and [a SEPA bank account](/finance/open-bank-account) for the direct debit. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities#documents - How do you sign a new electricity contract? You choose [the Stromanbieter](/energy/providers), not the Netzbetreiber. The Netzbetreiber follows from your address and stays the same through every switch, with its network fee still on the bill. Switching retailer is therefore pure paperwork: the new supplier cancels your old contract or your Grundversorgung and takes over supply. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities#new-contract - How do you set up natural gas? Gas is a separate contract with its own default supplier, and it is not necessarily the same company as for electricity. In Berlin, GASAG is the gas Grundversorger and NBB Netzgesellschaft runs the network. The process mirrors electricity: supply address, SEPA account, choose a tariff. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities#gas - What happens when you move in? You do not have to do anything on move-in day, and that is exactly the trap. Move in, use electricity, choose nobody, and [the local Grundversorger](/energy/electricity-gas) supplies you automatically. The catalogue notes explicitly that nothing is cut off while you move or switch. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities#move-in - Do you need a smart meter? Not for an ordinary fixed or green tariff. Only the dynamic tariffs require an intelligent metering system, and the catalogue records it as installed in just 5.5% of households. Ostrom SimplyDynamic and dynamicOctopus both need one, Octopus organises and pays for the installation, and in slow grid areas the wait can run to months. source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities#smart-meter - Related Guides [### Energy in Germany Sector overview.](/energy)[### Electricity and gas How the market and bill work.](/energy/electricity-gas)[### Best energy providers Ranking by tariff type.](/energy/providers)[### Address registration How to register your address in Germany.](/moving/address-registration) source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities#related-guides User question: "Do you need the Anmeldung before you can set up electricity?" Answer: No. Not one tariff in this catalogue requires a formal Anmeldung. What you need is a German supply address and a SEPA bank account for the direct debit. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities#faq-do-you-need-the-anmeldung-before-you-can-set-up-electricity User question: "Can your power be cut off while you switch?" Answer: No. The catalogue records explicitly that Grundversorgung supply cannot be cut off while you move or switch: you stay supplied until the new contract takes over. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities#faq-can-your-power-be-cut-off-while-you-switch User question: "How long is the notice period?" Answer: Leaving the Grundversorgung takes two weeks notice. The switcher tariffs in this catalogue carry notice periods of two to six weeks before the end of the term. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities#faq-how-long-is-the-notice-period User question: "Are there suppliers with English-language service?" Answer: Yes. The catalogue records English-language service at E.ON, Ostrom, Tibber, and Octopus Energy. The other suppliers in the catalogue operate in German. Source: https://www.guide-germany.com/energy/setting-up-utilities#faq-are-there-suppliers-with-english-language-service