Understanding your bill
How to read your electricity and gas bill: unit price, standing charge, monthly instalments, 2026 price components, mandatory details and what to do about errors.
Learn moreGuide · As of 2026
German energy terms from A to Z
Electricity and gas bills, contracts and letters from your supplier contain many technical terms. This glossary explains the most important ones briefly and clearly. We have checked legal deadlines and values at the source, as of October 2026.
- Bill
- Contract
- Meter
- Price components
- Your rights
Terms from A to Z
The German terms are sorted alphabetically. Legal references refer to the legal situation in October 2026.
- Abschlag (monthly instalment (also: Abschlagszahlung))
- Monthly prepayment towards your electricity or gas bill. The supplier calculates it from your expected consumption. It is settled with the annual bill (Jahresabrechnung): you either receive a credit or make a back payment. If your consumption changes, you can apply for an adjustment.
- Abschlussrechnung (final bill (also: Schlussrechnung))
- Bill at the end of a supply contract, for example after moving house or switching supplier. The supplier must issue it no later than six weeks after supply ends. It must pay out a credit within two weeks.
- Arbeitspreis (unit price (ct/kWh))
- Price for every kilowatt hour used, usually stated in cents per kWh. It includes costs for energy, the network, taxes, levies and surcharges. The higher your consumption, the more the unit price affects your costs.
- Bonus (new-customer bonus, instant bonus)
- One-off credit that some suppliers give to new customers. It often only applies in the first contract year or only after a minimum term. So also compare tariffs without the bonus.
- Brennwert (calorific value (Hs))
- Energy content of natural gas per cubic metre, including the heat released when the water vapour in the exhaust gas condenses. The network operator (Netzbetreiber) determines the calorific value. Together with the conversion factor (Zustandszahl), it is used to convert cubic metres into kilowatt hours.
- CO2-Preis (CO2 price (also: CO2-Abgabe, CO2 levy))
- Price for emitting carbon dioxide when burning natural gas, heating oil and fuels under the Fuel Emissions Trading Act (Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz, BEHG). For 2026, a price corridor of €55 to €65 per tonne of CO2 applies. The costs are included in the gas price.
- Dynamischer Tarif (dynamic (electricity) tariff)
- Electricity tariff in which the unit price follows the exchange price and can change several times a day. A smart metering system (intelligentes Messsystem) is required. Since 2025, every electricity supplier must offer such a tariff (§ 41a EnWG).
- Einspeisung (feed-in)
- Electricity that your own system, such as a photovoltaic system or a balcony solar system (Balkonkraftwerk), supplies to the public grid. It is measured with a bidirectional meter (Zweirichtungszähler) or a smart metering system.
- Energiesteuer (energy tax (also: Erdgassteuer, natural gas tax))
- Tax on energy products such as natural gas and heating oil. For natural gas used for heating, it is €5.50 per megawatt hour, i.e. 0.55 ct/kWh net. It is included in the unit price.
- Ersatzversorgung (substitute supply)
- Supply by the default supplier (Grundversorger) if you use energy but have no supply contract, for example after your supplier has stopped supplying. It ends after three months at the latest. The default supplier can reset the prices on the 1st and 15th of a month.
- Grundpreis (standing charge)
- Fixed amount per month or year, regardless of consumption. It covers, for example, costs for metering, billing and part of the network costs. If your consumption is low, the standing charge has a big influence on your total costs.
- Grundversorger (default supplier)
- The company that supplies the most household customers in a network area. The network operator determines every three years who the default supplier is.
- Grundversorgung (basic supply (also: Grundversorgungstarif, basic supply tariff))
- Supply of household customers by the default supplier, regulated by law. If you do not have another contract, you are usually in basic supply. You can cancel the basic supply contract at any time with two weeks' notice.
- Haushaltskunde (household customer)
- Customer who buys energy mainly for their own household. If you use no more than 10,000 kWh a year for professional or business purposes, you also count as a household customer. Household customers have special protection rights.
- Herkunftsnachweis (guarantee of origin (HKN))
- Electronic certificate that proves that a certain amount of electricity was generated from renewable energy. Suppliers use guarantees of origin to label green electricity (Ökostrom). In Germany, the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) keeps the register for this.
- HT/NT (peak and off-peak rate (Hochtarif and Niedertarif))
- With dual-rate meters, two different unit prices apply at fixed times of day, for example for night storage heaters or heat pumps. The network operator sets the times.
- Intelligentes Messsystem (smart metering system (iMSys))
- Digital electricity meter with a communication unit, the smart meter gateway. It transmits readings securely to the metering point operator, network operator and supplier. For some households, installation is mandatory. You can read more about this in our smart meter guide.
- Jahresverbrauch (annual consumption)
- Amount of energy used in one year, stated in kWh. It is shown on your annual bill and is the basis for monthly instalments and tariff comparisons.
- Kilowattstunde (kilowatt hour (kWh))
- Unit of measurement for energy. A device with an output of 1,000 watts uses one kilowatt hour in one hour. Electricity and gas are billed in kWh.
- Konzessionsabgabe (concession fee)
- Fee paid to the municipality for electricity and gas lines running under public roads and paths. The amount depends, among other things, on the size of the municipality and the type of contract. It is included in the unit price.
- Kündigungsfrist (notice period)
- Time between cancellation and the end of the contract. In basic supply, it is two weeks. In other contracts, the notice period before the end of the initial term may be no more than one month. The supplier must confirm your cancellation in text form (Textform) within one week.
- Lastprofil (load profile (SLP, RLM))
- Method used to assign consumption across the day. Households are usually billed using a standard load profile (Standardlastprofil, SLP), meaning a typical consumption pattern. For large consumers, interval metering (registrierende Leistungsmessung, RLM) measures the actual pattern.
- Lieferantenwechsel (switching supplier (also: Anbieterwechsel))
- Switching to a different electricity or gas supplier. It is free of charge for you and may take no more than three weeks from registration with the network operator. For electricity, the technical switch has been possible within 24 hours since 6 June 2025; since 1 January 2026, § 20a EnWG has also required this for gas. The contract term and notice period of your old contract still apply.
- Marktlokation (market location; market location ID (MaLo-ID))
- Place where energy is used or generated, for example your flat. It has an 11-digit market location ID (Marktlokations-ID, MaLo-ID), which the network operator assigns and which does not change. It is shown on your bill and helps when you switch supplier.
- Marktstammdatenregister (core energy market data register (MaStR))
- Register kept by the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) for systems that generate or store electricity, for example photovoltaic systems, balcony solar systems and battery storage. Operators must register their system there.
- Messlokation (measuring location (Messlokations-ID, Zählpunkt: metering point))
- Place where measurement takes place, usually your meter. It has its own measuring location ID (Messlokations-ID), which is often also called the metering point designation (Zählpunktbezeichnung). It is not the same as the meter number (Zählernummer).
- Messstellenbetreiber (metering point operator (MSB))
- Company that installs and operates the meter and provides the readings. The local network operator is usually responsible by default. You can also choose a competing metering point operator.
- Moderne Messeinrichtung (modern metering device (mME), digital meter)
- Digital electricity meter without a communication module. It shows consumption and output, but does not send any data. It can later be upgraded to a smart metering system.
- Netzbetreiber (network operator (also: Verteilnetzbetreiber, distribution network operator))
- Operates the electricity or gas network in your region. You cannot choose it freely, and it stays the same when you switch supplier. In the event of a power cut or fault, it is your point of contact.
- Netzentgelt (network charge (also: Netznutzungsentgelt))
- Fee for using the electricity or gas network. The supplier pays it to the network operator and passes it on to you through the price. The amount differs by region and is regulated by the state.
- Ökostrom (green electricity)
- Electricity from renewable energy such as wind, sun or hydropower. Suppliers prove its origin with guarantees of origin (Herkunftsnachweise). The electricity labelling (Stromkennzeichnung) on the bill shows which sources your electricity comes from.
- Preisänderung (price change (also: Preisanpassung, price adjustment))
- If a supplier outside basic supply wants to change its prices, it must inform household customers at least one month in advance. You can then cancel without notice with effect from the date of the change. The supplier may not charge a fee for this.
- Preisgarantie (price guarantee)
- Promise that certain price components stay the same for a fixed period. With a limited price guarantee, taxes, levies, surcharges or network charges are often excluded and can change. Read carefully what the guarantee covers.
- Schlichtungsstelle Energie (energy arbitration board)
- Independent body for disputes between consumers and energy companies. First you complain to the company, which must reply within four weeks. If that does not help, you can contact the arbitration board. The procedure is generally free of charge for consumers.
- Smart Meter (smart meter)
- Everyday term for the smart metering system (intelligentes Messsystem). A digital meter without a smart meter gateway is not a smart meter in this sense, but a modern metering device (moderne Messeinrichtung).
- Sonderkündigungsrecht (special termination right)
- Right to cancel a contract before the end of its term, for example after a price increase or when you move house. When you move, you can cancel with six weeks' notice. This does not apply if the supplier can continue to supply you at your new address on the existing terms and offers to do so.
- Sondervertrag (special contract)
- Any electricity or gas contract outside basic supply, including one with the default supplier itself. The contract term, prices and bonus are agreed freely. Contracts with household customers must be in text form.
- Steuerbare Verbrauchseinrichtung (controllable consumer device (§ 14a EnWG))
- Heat pump, private wallbox, air conditioner or battery storage with more than 4.2 kW that has been put into operation since 2024. If there is a risk of overload, the network operator may temporarily limit the power drawn to 4.2 kW. In return, you pay a reduced network charge.
- Stromsteuer (electricity tax)
- Tax on the consumption of electricity. It is €20.50 per megawatt hour, i.e. 2.05 ct/kWh net, and is included in the unit price.
- Umlagen (surcharges)
- Statutory surcharges on the electricity price that all customers pay, for example the CHP surcharge (KWKG-Umlage) and the offshore grid surcharge (Offshore-Netzumlage). Their amount is set again every year. They are included in the unit price.
- Umsatzsteuer (VAT, value added tax (also: Mehrwertsteuer))
- VAT is added to electricity and gas. Prices for household customers are usually stated gross, meaning including VAT. When comparing, make sure that all prices are stated in the same way.
- Vertragslaufzeit (contract term (also: Erstlaufzeit, initial term))
- Period for which you are bound to a contract. The initial term may be no more than two years. After that, the contract may only be renewed for an indefinite period, and you can cancel at any time with no more than one month's notice.
- Wärmepumpentarif (heat pump tariff (also: Heizstromtarif, heating electricity tariff))
- Special electricity tariff for running a heat pump, often with its own meter. It can be combined with a reduced network charge under § 14a EnWG.
- Widerruf (withdrawal (right of withdrawal: Widerrufsrecht))
- If you signed a contract by phone, online or at your front door, you can usually withdraw from it within 14 days without giving reasons. The period does not start before you have been properly informed about your right of withdrawal.
- Zählernummer (meter number)
- Number printed on the meter, often on a label with a barcode. It is also shown on your bill and is needed for registration, moving house and switching supplier.
- Zählerstand (meter reading)
- Value shown on the meter. Billing is based on the difference between two meter readings. Write down or photograph the reading when you move in, move out, switch supplier and when the meter is replaced.
- Zustandszahl (conversion factor (z-Zahl))
- Factor used for gas billing. Gas takes up different amounts of space depending on temperature, pressure and altitude. The conversion factor converts the measured cubic metres to standard conditions. The formula is: cubic metres × conversion factor × calorific value = kilowatt hours.
- Zweirichtungszähler (bidirectional meter)
- Meter that measures electricity taken from the grid and feed-in separately. You need it if you supply electricity to the grid with a photovoltaic system or a balcony solar system.
Where you can find these terms
On the annual bill, the most important details are usually on the first page: customer number, meter number (Zählernummer), market location ID (Marktlokations-ID), billing period (Abrechnungszeitraum), meter readings and consumption. This is followed by the unit price (Arbeitspreis), standing charge (Grundpreis) and the breakdown of price components such as network charges (Netzentgelt), taxes and surcharges (Umlagen).
On the gas bill, you will also find the calorific value (Brennwert) and the conversion factor (Zustandszahl). The supplier uses them to convert the measured cubic metres into kilowatt hours. You can find a detailed explanation of a bill in our guide to the electricity bill.
Keep these details to hand
For a tariff comparison, a move or a switch of supplier, you usually need these details.
- Customer number and contract number with your current supplier
- Meter number from the meter or from the bill
- Market location ID (MaLo-ID) from the bill
- Current meter reading with the date, ideally as a photo
- Annual consumption from your last bill
- Contract end date and notice period of your current contract
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the network operator and the supplier?
The supplier sells you electricity or gas and sends you the bill. The network operator runs the lines in your region. If you switch supplier, the network operator stays the same and your supply continues without interruption.
Where can I find the meter number and MaLo-ID?
Both are on your electricity or gas bill, usually in the section with the contract and meter details. The meter number is also printed on the meter itself.
Why does the gas supplier bill in kWh when my meter shows cubic metres?
The energy content of gas varies. This is why the supplier converts the measured cubic metres into kilowatt hours using the conversion factor (Zustandszahl) and the calorific value (Brennwert). Both values are on your gas bill.
What does a limited price guarantee mean?
Only part of the price is guaranteed, usually the costs for energy and sales. Taxes, levies, surcharges or network charges can still change. But if the price changes, you have a special termination right (Sonderkündigungsrecht).
Who can I contact if I have a dispute with my supplier?
First complain to the supplier in writing. It must reply within four weeks. If that does not help, you can contact the energy arbitration board (Schlichtungsstelle Energie). You can also get advice from the consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale).
Related topics
Reading your meter
How to read your meter correctly: electricity meters, smart meters, HT/NT and gas meters explained. When to take a reading and what helps against estimates.
Learn moreBasic supply
What default and substitute supply for electricity and gas mean, why they often cost more, which deadlines apply and how to switch to a suitable tariff.
Learn moreTerm, price guarantee & bonus
How to read electricity and gas contracts: contract term, notice period, cancellation button, withdrawal, bonus and price guarantee, with an offer checklist.
Learn moreSwitching supplier
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 morePrice increases & cancelling
Electricity 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 moreSources
- Gesetze im Internet: Energy Industry Act (EnWG), including §§ 3, 20a, 36, 38, 40c, 41, 41a, 41b, 111a, 111b
- Gesetze im Internet: § 20 StromGVV (cancelling basic supply; § 20 GasGVV has the same wording for gas)
- Gesetze im Internet: BGB, §§ 309, 355 and 356 (contract term, withdrawal)
- Gesetze im Internet: § 3 StromStG (electricity tax)
- Gesetze im Internet: § 2 EnergieStG (energy tax on natural gas)
- Gesetze im Internet: § 10 BEHG (CO2 price 2026)
- Bundesnetzagentur: Controllable consumer devices under § 14a EnWG
- BDEW: Identifiers in market communication (MaLo-ID)
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