Guide · As of 2026
The meter reading (Zählerstand) is the basis of your electricity and gas bill. If you read the meter yourself and record the values with the date, you spot mistakes early and avoid expensive estimates. Here you can find out which meters exist, how to read them and when you should report the reading.
Different types of meter are used in German households. According to the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), all households should have at least a modern metering device by 2032.
The classic analogue electricity meter (Ferraris-Zähler) with a rotating disc and a counter made of number rollers. Only read the numbers before the decimal point. The digit after the decimal point is usually marked in colour or separated.
A digital electricity meter (moderne Messeinrichtung) with a display, but without an external connection. It shows the meter reading in kWh. With a PIN, many devices also show previous consumption values. You still read it yourself.
A modern metering device with a communication unit, the smart meter gateway (intelligentes Messsystem). It transmits the readings automatically, so a reading on site is no longer necessary. It is mandatory, among other cases, for more than 6,000 kWh a year, for controllable devices such as a heat pump or wallbox under § 14a EnWG, and for solar systems over 7 kW.
It has two counters: HT stands for the peak rate (Hochtarif), NT for the off-peak rate (Niedertarif). Such meters are found, for example, with night storage heaters (Nachtspeicherheizungen). Read both values and report both.
With a solar system, the meter (Zweirichtungszähler) measures the electricity taken from the grid and the electricity fed into the grid separately. On digital meters, consumption from the grid is usually shown under the code 1.8.0 and feed-in under 2.8.0.
Usually a diaphragm gas meter (Balgengaszähler) with a roller counter. It measures in cubic metres (m³). The black digits before the decimal point are the full cubic metres. You usually do not need the red digits after the decimal point.
Reading the meter only takes a few minutes. With these steps, you avoid the most common mistakes.
Electricity and gas meters are usually in the basement, in the hallway of the building or in a meter cupboard in the flat. In apartment buildings, there are often many meters next to each other. So pay attention to the meter number (Zählernummer).
The meter number is on the device, often next to a barcode. Compare it with the number on your bill. This makes sure that you are reading your own meter.
Write down all digits before the decimal point, including zeros at the beginning. On digital meters, the display sometimes changes. Wait for the total value in kWh. With two rates, the values are usually shown under 1.8.1 and 1.8.2.
Photograph the meter so that the meter reading and meter number are easy to read. Your phone saves the date and time. Also write down the date and reading in a list.
Report the reading via the customer portal, the app, by email or with the meter reading card from your supplier or metering point operator (Messstellenbetreiber). Check on your next bill whether your value was used.
On certain occasions, your own meter reading is particularly important. It protects you from paying for someone else's consumption or at the wrong price.
| Occasion | Why? | Who to report to? |
|---|---|---|
| Moving in and moving out | You only pay for your own consumption. Also record the reading in the handover report (Übergabeprotokoll). | Previous and new supplier, and your landlord if needed |
| Switching supplier | The old supplier bills up to the day of the switch, the new one from that day. | Old and new supplier, as well as the network or metering point operator |
| Price change | Your consumption is split exactly between the old and the new price. Without your value, the supplier calculates on a time-proportional basis. | Supplier |
| Annual reading | Basis of the annual bill. You are often asked to read the meter yourself. | Whoever asks you to do it |
| Meter replacement | Write down the final reading of the old meter and the starting reading of the new meter. | Compare with the technician's report |
| Turn of the year | Your own check of your annual consumption and your monthly instalments (Abschläge) | For your records |
Tip: it is better to read the meter once too often. A photo costs nothing and helps whenever something is unclear.
To switch supplier or register a move, you usually need two pieces of information: the meter number (Zählernummer) and the market location ID (Marktlokations-ID) (MaLo-ID). The Federal Network Agency names both as important information for switching.
The meter number is the number of the device. It is on the meter and on your bill. If the meter is replaced, the meter number also changes.
The market location ID is an 11-digit number. It identifies the point to which energy is supplied and billed. It stays the same, even if the meter or the supplier changes. You can find it on your electricity or gas bill and often in the contract confirmation. There is also the measuring location ID (Messlokations-ID), also called the metering point designation (Zählpunktbezeichnung). This is a longer code made of letters and numbers.
Only pass on your meter number and market location ID if you want to switch yourself. The Federal Network Agency warns about calls that ask for this data. It can be used to start a switch without your knowledge.
An estimate is only allowed in certain cases (§ 40a Abs. 2 EnWG). An estimate that is too low leads to a back payment later, one that is too high leads to unnecessarily high costs.
With a smart metering system, the readings are transmitted automatically. With a consumption below 100,000 kWh a year, it transmits values in 15-minute intervals once a day. You are entitled to a free monthly overview of your consumption and costs. A photo of the display still does no harm, for example when you move out.
For gas, the supplier converts the cubic metres read into kilowatt hours using the calorific value (Brennwert) and the conversion factor (Zustandszahl). As a rough rule of thumb, the consumer advice centre says: cubic metres multiplied by ten gives roughly the kilowatt hours. This way you can roughly estimate your consumption yourself.
When you move house, report moving in and moving out in good time. According to the Federal Network Agency, a new electricity supplier cannot be assigned retroactively. For gas, this is only possible in exceptional cases if it was agreed in advance, and for no more than six weeks. If you move in and do not have a contract yet, you are supplied by the default supplier (Grundversorger) at first.
Self-reading (Selbstablesung): your supplier may ask you to read the meter yourself. If this is unreasonable for you in an individual case, for example because you cannot reach the meter due to an illness, you can object. The supplier must then read the meter itself without an extra charge (§ 40a Abs. 1 EnWG).
Usually not. Billing is in whole kilowatt hours or cubic metres. Report the digits before the decimal point unless your supplier asks for something else.
Then the supplier may estimate your consumption, for example based on the previous year. An estimate that is too low leads to a back payment later, one that is too high leads to unnecessarily high costs and monthly instalments. So report the reading yourself when you are asked to.
No. If your home has to be entered to install a modern metering device or to replace a meter, the metering point operator must inform you in writing at least two weeks in advance and offer an alternative appointment. Ask to see the technician's ID before letting them in.
Nobody on site. The smart metering system sends the readings automatically to the metering point operator. You can view the values on the device or via an online service.
At least until the bill for the period has been checked and settled. The standard limitation period (Verjährungsfrist) is three years. It therefore makes sense to keep photos and notes for a few years.
As a test, switch off all devices and check whether the meter keeps running. Write down the readings over a few days. If you are still suspicious, contact the metering point operator. An official meter test is possible, but it costs you money if the meter measures correctly (§ 71 MsbG).
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