Guide · As of 2026
A high back payment or rising monthly instalments can happen to anyone. It is important to act early and not to wait. This guide shows what options you have, which rules apply before a disconnection (Sperre) and where you can get free help.
The earlier you react, the more options you have. Open every letter from your supplier, even if it is difficult.
Are the meter readings, prices and the monthly instalments you paid correct? A mistake in the bill can reduce the amount owed. Complain about mistakes in writing and as quickly as possible.
Get in touch before a payment is due. Briefly explain your situation and ask for payment in instalments or a deferral (Stundung), meaning a later payment date.
If your monthly instalment (Abschlag) is too low, the next back payment will follow. If it is too high, it puts an unnecessary burden on you. Monthly instalments should be based on your previous consumption. If you can credibly show that you use much less, the supplier must take this into account (§ 41b Abs. 3 EnWG, § 13 StromGVV).
If possible, keep paying your current monthly instalments, even if you cannot yet pay off the old debts. This way, the arrears do not grow any further.
Contact an advice centre, the Jobcenter or the social welfare office (Sozialamt) early. Many types of help are only available if you apply. So apply before the situation gets worse.
Since the end of December 2025, the rules for a disconnection due to payment arrears have been in the Energy Industry Act (§ 41f EnWG). They apply to electricity and gas, in basic supply (Grundversorgung) and in special contracts (Sonderverträge). StromGVV and GasGVV refer to them in § 19.
| Requirement | What applies? |
|---|---|
| Payment reminder (Mahnung) | You have not paid despite a payment reminder. |
| Minimum arrears | At least twice the monthly instalment. Without monthly instalments, at least one sixth of the expected annual bill. In any case, at least €100. |
| Warning (Androhung) | At least four weeks before the disconnection. It may be combined with the payment reminder. |
| Notice of the date (Ankündigung) | Eight working days before the disconnection by letter, ideally also electronically. |
| Information | With the warning, the supplier must inform you about ways to avoid the disconnection, for example payment plans, advice and state support. It must state the expected costs of the disconnection. |
| Not counted | Amounts disputed on time and in a comprehensible way, instalments that are not yet due, amounts from a disputed price increase and amounts that are already in an arbitration procedure at the time of the warning. |
Source: § 41f EnWG, amended by the Act of 18 December 2025 to strengthen consumer protection in the energy sector.
A disconnection is not permitted if its consequences are out of proportion to how serious the late payment is, or if you show that you are likely to pay your debts (§ 41f Abs. 1 EnWG). The supplier must tell you that you can give such reasons in text form (Textform) and give you a contact address.
Households in which a disconnection would mean a specific danger to life or limb, for example because of an illness or old age, have special protection. This also applies if another person in the household is affected. If asked, you must credibly show the danger, for example with a doctor's certificate (§ 41f Abs. 2 EnWG).
If supply has been disconnected, it must be restored without delay as soon as the reasons no longer apply and you have paid the costs of the disconnection and reconnection. These costs may never be higher than the costs actually incurred (§ 41f Abs. 7 EnWG).
Inform the supplier of special circumstances in writing immediately after the warning. Do not wait until the day of the disconnection.
There is no longer any difference in the requirements for a disconnection. When it comes to paying in instalments, however, customers in basic supply have more rights.
You do not have to solve this alone. These organisations can advise you, most of them free of charge.
If you receive benefits from the Jobcenter or the social welfare office, heating costs are covered at a reasonable level as part of the costs of accommodation and heating. Household electricity, on the other hand, is included in the standard needs rate (Regelbedarf). Debts can be covered in certain cases, usually as a loan (§ 22 Abs. 8 SGB II, § 36 SGB XII). Ask early, even if you do not receive benefits yet.
Non-profit debt advice services (Schuldnerberatung) help you get an overview and talk to creditors. You can find an advice centre near you, for example, via meine-schulden.de.
The consumer advice centres (Verbraucherzentralen) give advice on bills, contracts and threatened disconnections. The energy advice service of the Verbraucherzentrale helps you reduce your consumption, by phone, online, at advice centres or in your home.
Low-income households get free energy-saving advice from the Stromspar-Check run by Caritas and energy and climate protection agencies. This includes immediate help such as LED lamps and a grant for a more economical fridge or freezer.
If there is a dispute about a bill or a disconnection, you can contact the energy arbitration board (Schlichtungsstelle Energie) after making a complaint to the supplier. The procedure is generally free of charge for consumers.
With your consent, the default supplier may involve the social welfare office to avoid a disconnection. It must send you the form for this with the warning (§ 41g Abs. 3 EnWG). Some federal states and local authorities also have hardship funds (Härtefallfonds). Ask your town or local council.
Once the urgent situation has been resolved, it is worth looking at your ongoing costs. Compare your consumption with the previous year and check whether your monthly instalment matches it. Even small changes in consumption can lower your monthly instalment.
Switching to a cheaper tariff can also help. But please note: some suppliers check your ability to pay (Bonität) before concluding a contract. The default supplier, on the other hand, may only refuse you basic supply in exceptional cases. It also may not make it dependent on you paying the debts of a previous occupant.
If you wish, we can look at your situation by phone or via Microsoft Teams and compare the tariffs of the suppliers we work with. We do not replace debt advice or legal advice.
The arrears must be at least twice your monthly instalment and at least €100. Without monthly instalments, they must be at least one sixth of the expected annual bill. In addition, there must be a payment reminder, a warning and a notice of the date (§ 41f EnWG).
Yes. § 41f EnWG applies to electricity and gas, in basic supply and in special contracts. However, the right to an agreement to avoid disconnection only exists in basic supply.
It may adjust the monthly instalment to your consumption and to price changes. If the new monthly instalment is too high for your actual consumption, you can ask for it to be adjusted. To do this, send your current meter reading with a photo.
Disconnection and reconnection cost money. The supplier must state the expected costs in the warning and in the notice of the date. It may never charge more than the actual costs.
Then the default supplier may interrupt the supply. However, it must again give notice of the date eight working days in advance. So get in touch immediately if you cannot pay an instalment, and look for a solution together.
This is possible in individual cases if you would otherwise face an emergency. It is usually given as a loan that you have to pay back. Apply early and enclose the bill, the payment reminder and the disconnection warning.
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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.
