Month 1
Time
20 min
Cost
€40 to 80/mo (1-bed)
Difficulty
Easy
What to bring
Your meter number (Zählernummer) and reading
A German bank account
Your move-in date
Not needed: A separate water contract, usually, water is billed via Nebenkosten
Your options
Switch to a chosen provider
Compare and pick a cheaper deal
€40 to 80/mo
Use Verivox or Check24 to compare and sign up. A green or discount tariff usually beats the default by a wide margin.
Grundversorgung (default supplier)
Automatic but expensive
Highest tariff
You're auto-supplied by the local default provider from move-in so the lights work, fine for a few weeks, but switch off it quickly.
Bundled in Warmmiete
Landlord includes it
Part of warm rent
Some furnished lets include electricity. Confirm in the contract so you don't double-sign a Strom deal.
Prices checked June 2026
Do it
- 1
Read the meter at move-in
Note the Zählernummer and the reading on day one, ideally in the handover protocol, it sets your starting balance.
- 2
Compare providers
Plug your postcode and estimated annual usage (~1,500 kWh for one person) into Verivox or Check24.
- 3
Sign up online
Choose a tariff, enter your meter number and move-in date, and add your bank details. The switch happens in the background.
- 4
Watch for the annual reconciliation
You pay a monthly estimate; once a year it's trued up against actual usage, so expect a small refund or top-up.
Words you'll hear
Nebenkosten
The service/utility charges added to cold rent. Reconciled once a year, expect a top-up or a small refund.
Common questions
Will my power be off until I sign a contract?
No, the local default supplier (Grundversorgung) covers you automatically from move-in. It's just expensive, so switch promptly.
What about gas, water and heating?
Water and building heating usually come through your Nebenkosten via the landlord. Only sign a separate gas contract if your flat has its own gas heating.
Full checklist tracking and task completion live in the Settli app for Berlin.