Change electricity provider
As an electricity consumer, you can choose your own electricity supplier. The grid operators only have a monopoly on the electricity grids, no longer on the supply of electricity.
Responsible department
The company with which you wish to conclude a new contract.
Details
Prerequisite
You have an existing contract with an electricity provider.
Procedure
To change your electricity supplier, you must cancel your old contract and conclude a new one. In doing so, you must observe the cancellation periods agreed with the previous supplier. You should not cancel the old contract before you have concluded a new one with the chosen electricity provider. You should therefore contact the company you wish to switch to directly in advance. In many cases, the new electricity provider will offer to take care of the formalities of cancelling your old contract on your behalf. You can usually conclude an "all-inclusive contract" with them, which includes all the necessary services. This may also include an authorisation for your new electricity supplier to conclude the following contracts with the grid operator:
- Transmission contract (use of the electricity grid)
- Connection utilisation contract (use of the electricity connection in your apartment/house)
In addition to the agreed price and the start of supply, the new contract should also include the contract term and cancellation periods.
Please note: The local electricity supplier has a general supply obligation as part of the so-called basic or replacement supply. This means that you will be supplied with electricity in any case, even if there are delays in delivery by the new company.
Deadlines
You can change your electricity supplier at any time. However, you must observe the cancellation period of the previous contract. You can cancel the basic supply contract with a notice period of two weeks. It is advisable to contact your chosen electricity supplier well in advance of the planned switch.
Required documents
Contract form
You will receive forms for the contract from your new electricity provider.
Costs
none
Miscellaneous
The consumer advice centre provides tips on switching electricity suppliers on its website. In addition, the consumer advice centre will also advise you personally on choosing the cheapest and best supplier for you. This advice service is subject to a charge.
Legal basis
Energiewirtschaftsgesetz (EnWG):
- § 20 EnWG Zugang zu den Energieversorgungsnetzen
- § 20a EnWG Lieferantenwechsel
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Umweltministerium Baden-Württemberg, 07.04.2025