Guide · As of 2026
In Germany, no household should be without electricity or gas. This is why there is basic supply (Grundversorgung) and substitute supply (Ersatzversorgung). Both are an important safety net, but often not the cheapest solution. Here you can read when you end up in them, what rights you have and how to get out again.
This usually happens without you doing anything. These four situations are typical.
You move in and do not have a contract yet. As soon as you use electricity or gas, a contract with the default supplier (Grundversorger) is created, without a signature. You must inform the supplier of this without delay in text form (Textform) (§ 2 Abs. 2 StromGVV).
Your contract expires or the supplier gives ordinary notice, and you do not have a new contract. The default supplier then supplies you under basic supply.
Your new supplier cannot start supplying on time, for example because data is missing. Substitute supply then bridges the gap.
Your supplier suddenly stops supplying you, for example because of insolvency. The default supplier then takes you over under substitute supply. Electricity and gas continue to flow.
The default supplier is the energy supply company that supplies the most household customers in a network area. This is often the local municipal utility (Stadtwerke), but not always. There can be different default suppliers for electricity and for gas.
The network operator (Netzbetreiber) determines the default supplier every three years on 1 July and publishes it online by 30 September (§ 36 Abs. 2 EnWG). Whether you are in basic supply is shown on your bill. The supplier must state there whether you are supplied under basic supply (§ 40 Abs. 2 EnWG).
Basic supply does not mean lower quality. Electricity and gas come through the same lines. Only the prices and contract terms are different.
The consumer advice centre advises against staying in basic supply permanently, because prices there are usually high. As a temporary solution, however, it has real advantages.
| Topic | Basic supply | Substitute supply |
|---|---|---|
| Cancellation by you | 2 weeks, in text form | generally without notice |
| Duration | unlimited | no more than 3 months |
| Price change | 6 weeks in advance, from the start of a month | on the 1st and 15th of a month, published online |
| Afterwards | continues until you switch | moves into basic supply if there is no other contract |
Basis: §§ 36 and 38 EnWG, §§ 5 and 20 StromGVV and GasGVV, and Verbraucherzentrale (as of August 2026).
Switching to a special contract (Sondervertrag) is easy and costs you nothing. The default supplier may not charge a fee for it.
You can find your annual consumption on your last bill. After moving in, you can estimate it, for example with a consumption calculator.
Compare the unit price (Arbeitspreis), standing charge (Grundpreis), contract term, price guarantee and bonus conditions. The default supplier itself often offers special tariffs too.
The new supplier usually cancels the basic supply for you. Have your meter number and market location ID (Marktlokations-ID) ready.
Read the meter on the day of the switch, take a photo and report the reading to the old and the new supplier.
The new supplier must confirm in text form when it will start supplying you. Afterwards, check the final bill from the default supplier.
Moving without a contract: If you do not yet have a contract in your new home, the default supplier supplies you at first. Tell it the date you moved in and your meter reading. Then take your time to sign a suitable contract. When you move, you can cancel your existing special contract with six weeks' notice. This does not apply if the supplier offers you, within two weeks, to continue supplying you at your new address on the existing terms (§ 41b Abs. 5 EnWG).
Supplier stops trading: A supplier that no longer wants to supply household customers must notify the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) at least three months in advance and inform its customers in text form at the same time (§ 5 EnWG). If an insolvency application is filed, things can happen faster. The default supplier then takes over under substitute supply.
What to do in the case of insolvency: Read your meter, ask for confirmation of the start of substitute supply and look for a new contract quickly. Only pay monthly instalments (Abschläge) into the account that the insolvency administrator gives you. You usually have to register any credit balance with the insolvent supplier with the insolvency administrator.
If substitute supply ends after three months and you do not have a new contract, you automatically move into basic supply. According to the consumer advice centre, an increased substitute supply price must then fall to the level of basic supply.
We are happy to compare the tariffs of the suppliers we work with together with you, by phone or via Microsoft Teams, in German, Persian or English.
Yes, if you use electricity or gas and do not have another contract. The contract with the default supplier is then created by your use of energy. You should still inform the default supplier of the start in text form.
It is usually more expensive than a special contract. How big the difference is depends on the region, the time and the tariff. So always compare the current prices.
Only in exceptional cases, if supplying you is economically unreasonable for it (§ 36 Abs. 1 EnWG). It also may not make the contract dependent on you paying the arrears of a previous occupant (§ 2 Abs. 5 StromGVV).
No more than three months. It ends earlier as soon as a new supply contract begins. If you do not have another contract after that, you move into basic supply.
Usually yes, if you tell the default supplier explicitly, ideally in writing. According to the consumer advice centre, if the default supplier has lawfully increased the substitute supply prices, you cannot switch to its basic supply for three months. A special contract is possible at any time.
Yes, usually monthly. They are based on your previous consumption or the average of comparable customers. If you can credibly show that you use much less, the default supplier must take this into account appropriately (§ 13 StromGVV).
How to switch electricity or gas supplier without a gap in supply: who cancels, which details are needed, 24-hour switch, 14-day withdrawal and the process.
Learn moreMoving with electricity and gas: record meter readings, special termination under § 41b EnWG with six weeks' notice, avoid basic supply. With a checklist.
Learn moreElectricity or gas price increase? How to check the letter, use your special termination right under § 41 EnWG and switch in time without a gap in supply.
Learn moreHow to read electricity and gas contracts: contract term, notice period, cancellation button, withdrawal, bonus and price guarantee, with an offer checklist.
Learn moreCannot pay your electricity or gas bill? How to adjust monthly instalments, agree an instalment plan, prevent disconnection and find free help and advice.
Learn moreHow much electricity does a household like yours use? The calculator shows the average consumption according to the Stromspiegel (electricity consumption benchmark) and places your own annual consumption in classes A to G.
Open the calculatorCall us, send us a message on WhatsApp or by email, or request a quote directly. We give advice by phone or Microsoft Teams – in German, Persian and English.
