Phone, internet and utilities in Germany: getting connected

Getting a German phone number, home internet, and electricity in your own name is part of settling in. The steps are not hard, but German contract law has its own rules on contract length, cancellation and switching, and there is one household fee that surprises almost every American. I lived and worked in Germany, and setting these up in the first weeks made everything else easier, from bank verification codes to doctor's appointments.

This guide covers mobile phones, home internet, electricity and gas, and the broadcasting fee. The rules come from the Telecommunications Act (TKG), the Energy Industry Act (EnWG), the EU's Your Europe portal and the broadcasting fee service.

Mobile phones

### Prepaid SIM cards and ID checks

Prepaid SIM cards are sold in supermarkets, electronics shops and online. Before you can use one, the provider must verify who you are. Section 172 of the TKG requires providers of prepaid mobile services to collect and verify your name and date of birth before activation, using an identity document such as a passport or residence title. In practice, this means a video identification or an in-store check.

### Contracts

A monthly contract (Vertrag) often gives cheaper data or includes a phone. Some providers ask for a German bank account and a registered address.

Section 56 of the TKG protects consumers:

• The initial term of a consumer telecom contract may not exceed 24 months.
• Before signing, the provider must also offer a contract with an initial term of at most 12 months.
• If the contract renews automatically after the initial term, you can cancel at any time with one month's notice.

Before signing a 24-month contract, think about how long you will stay in Germany.

### Using your US phone and number

Check that your US phone is not locked to your US carrier before you leave, so you can insert a German SIM or eSIM. Many people keep their US number for bank texts, either on a low-cost US plan or by porting it to a service that works abroad, and use a German number for daily life.

### Roaming in the EU

With a German SIM, travel within the EU is simple. The Your Europe portal explains that when you travel to another EU country, calls, texts and data are charged at domestic rates, known as "roam like at home". Receiving calls and texts costs nothing extra either. This applies under a fair use rule: as long as you spend more time at home than abroad, or use your phone more at home than abroad. A US SIM does not get these EU rules, so check your US carrier's international rates.

Home internet

Home internet comes over DSL, cable, fibre or mobile networks, depending on the building. The same TKG rules on contract length and cancellation apply.

Ask your landlord which connection the building has. Installation can take time, so order soon after signing a lease. Mobile routers or a generous mobile data plan can bridge the gap.

### Switching providers

Section 59 of the TKG governs switching and number porting:

• The new provider leads the switch and number porting.
• The old provider may not cut your service before the contractual and technical conditions for the switch are met, unless you ask for it.
• If your service is interrupted for more than one working day during the switch, you can claim compensation from the old provider of 10 euros or 20 percent of the monthly fee, whichever is higher, for each further working day.

Electricity and gas

In a rented apartment, heating costs may be included in the service charges, or you may contract gas and electricity yourself. Your lease says which.

Key rules from the Energy Industry Act:

• Open networks. Section 20 EnWG requires network operators to give everyone non-discriminatory access to the grid, which is why you can choose among many suppliers no matter who owns the local lines.
• Fast switching. Section 20a EnWG says switching supplier may not take longer than three weeks from when the new supplier registers the switch with the network operator. From 1 January 2026, the technical switch must be completed within 24 hours and be possible on every working day.
• Clear contract terms. Section 41 EnWG requires energy supply contracts to state prices and price adjustments, cancellation dates and notice periods, and whether prices are fixed or variable. When you cancel, the supplier must confirm receipt of the cancellation in text form.
• Price changes. Under section 41 EnWG, a supplier that reserves the right to change prices must inform household customers at least one month before the change, and you can then cancel the contract without notice at the date the change takes effect, at no charge.

When you move in, read the meter on day one and photograph it. This protects you if the previous tenant's consumption is billed to you.

The broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag)

Every dwelling in Germany pays a broadcasting fee that funds public radio and television. The fee service explains:

• The current fee for private households is 18.36 euros per month.
• The rule is one dwelling, one fee. If several adults share a dwelling, only one pays, regardless of how many people or devices there are.
• When you register your address, the registration office notifies the fee service, which then writes to you.
• Registration data are also matched nationwide at intervals, and dwellings without a contribution account are contacted.
• Exemptions and reductions exist for some groups, on application.

The fee applies whether or not you own a TV or radio. If a flatmate already pays, register under their contribution number instead of opening a second account.

Devices and adapters

US electronics often need adapters for German sockets. Laptop and phone chargers are frequently dual voltage, but check the label before plugging in hair dryers and kitchen appliances.

Plug adapters for German sockets cover most chargers, and an carrier-free dual-SIM phone lets you keep your US number alongside a German one.

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Checklist

1. Register your address first; many contracts need it.
2. Get a prepaid SIM for the first weeks, with ID verification.
3. Ask your landlord about the internet connection and order early.
4. Choose electricity and gas suppliers if they are not included in the rent.
5. Read and photograph your meters on move-in day.
6. Respond to the broadcasting fee letter.

Common questions

Can I get a German SIM card without a residence permit? Yes. Prepaid providers must verify your name and date of birth with an identity document such as a passport before activation, under section 172 TKG.

How long are phone and internet contracts in Germany? The initial term may not exceed 24 months, providers must also offer a 12-month option, and after automatic renewal you can cancel any time with one month's notice.

Do I have to pay the broadcasting fee if I have no TV? Yes. The fee is charged per dwelling, currently 18.36 euros per month, regardless of devices. Only one person per dwelling pays.

How quickly can I switch electricity supplier? Section 20a EnWG limits the switching process to three weeks, and since 1 January 2026 the technical switch must be done within 24 hours on any working day.