When you rent an entire apartment in Germany (not a WG shared flat), you need to handle utilities yourself. In shared flats, these are usually included in the Nebenkosten (ancillary costs) and settled by the landlord. This guide is for when you sign your own contract and need to manage the bills.
Heating and Hot Water (Heizkosten)
Most German apartments use natural gas central heating, billed through the Nebenkosten system: you pay a monthly advance estimate, and at the end of the year the landlord adjusts the amount based on your actual heating meter readings (Nebenkostenabrechnung).
Always photograph the heating meter readings when you move in and move out, and notify your landlord to confirm them. If you're overcharged and have no record, it's very hard to dispute later.
Electricity (Strom)
Apartment electricity is usually not included in the rent — you need to choose your own electricity provider (Stromanbieter). Use Check24.de or Verivox.de to compare prices: enter your postal code and estimated annual usage (for a one-person apartment, around 1,500–2,000 kWh/year, adjust based on your habits), filter for good ratings, and you can save €50–150 per year.
When moving in: find the Zählernummer (meter number) on your electricity meter, inform the previous provider of your move-in date and meter reading, then sign a contract with your new provider. Everything can be done online and usually takes 1–2 business days to activate.
Internet (Internet)
In Berlin and other big cities, common providers are: Deutsche Telekom (DSL/fiber, wide coverage), Vodafone (cable network, fast in cities), and 1&1 (slightly cheaper). Again, use Check24 to compare. Pay attention to contract terms — typically 24 months, and you must cancel at least 3 months before the end to avoid automatic renewal.
If your address already has Glasfaser (fiber optic) available, prioritize it — it's stable and better value in the long run. Check availability on the provider's website by entering your address.
Moving Out: Transfer Process
When moving out, send a Kündigung (cancellation notice) to your electricity and internet providers 4–6 weeks in advance. Email is fine — keep a screenshot of the sent message. Then sign new contracts for your new address.
Many people forget to cancel in time and end up paying one or two extra months. As soon as you confirm your move-out date, send the Kündigung — the earlier, the better.
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