Electricity and gas when moving home in Germany
By Ali Alawihee · Updated 5 November 2026
In a new flat in Germany, the electricity usually works from day one, even without a contract. Here is what that means, what you need and how to end your old contract.
What happens if you do nothing?
Using electricity without a contract normally creates a basic supply contract (Grundversorgung), says the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur). The basic supplier is the company supplying the most households in the grid area (section 36 EnWG). Inform it in text form without delay (section 2 StromGVV); you can cancel basic supply with two weeks' notice (section 20 StromGVV).
Substitute supply (Ersatzversorgung, section 38 EnWG) applies when consumption cannot be assigned to any contract, for example because a supplier stops, and lasts three months at most.
In the city of Osnabrück, the basic supplier is Stadtwerke Osnabrück for electricity and gas, according to its own information (as of November 2026).
Record meter readings and numbers
Read the meters in both homes on moving day. Do not copy the meter number unchecked from the handover report (Übergabeprotokoll); the consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) warns that a wrong number can mean paying for two contracts. A simple routine:
- Read number and reading on the meter
- Take a clear photo
- Enter both in the signed handover report
- Send them to your old and new supplier and the grid operator
Ending your old contract
Basic supply ends with two weeks' notice. Other contracts can be cancelled with six weeks' notice when you move (section 41b(5) EnWG), effective on moving-out day or later. Include your new address.
This does not apply if your supplier offers within two weeks to supply your new address on the same terms.
Since 6 June 2025, electricity can generally no longer be registered or deregistered retroactively, so report your move-out in time.
Signing a new contract
Ideally, sign before moving in, with your moving-in date as the start. For electricity, supply cannot be assigned retroactively, says the Bundesnetzagentur; until your contract starts, the basic supplier supplies you.
The market location ID (MaLo-ID) is on previous bills, or ask your landlord or grid operator. You typically need:
- Name and new address
- Moving-in date
- Meter number
- MaLo-ID if known (11 digits)
- Meter reading on moving-in day
- IBAN for direct debit
Monthly instalment: how much?
Without previous data, the supplier estimates your instalment (Abschlag) from the previous billing period or comparable customers (section 41b(3) EnWG). If you credibly show considerably lower use, it must be taken into account. Nothing is due before supply begins.
Check your meter after a few weeks and ask for an adjustment if needed.
Gas: what is different
You usually only need your own gas contract if your flat has its own gas meter, for example for a gas boiler (Gasetagenheizung) or cooker. With central heating, the landlord normally bills gas via the service charges (Nebenkosten).
Otherwise the rules largely match electricity, except that gas supply can exceptionally be assigned up to six weeks retroactively when moving in or out, says the Bundesnetzagentur. Do not rely on it.