Your checklist

Electricity providers in Germany: English and flexible options

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In shortIf you move in and do nothing, you are supplied by your area's Grundversorger (basic supplier). That is legal and safe, but often not the cheapest option. If you want to handle everything in English, Ostrom is the only one of these suppliers with a fully English website, app and support. Before you sign, check the contract term and whether you need a smart meter.

New to this? Read the guide first: Electricity

Options for newcomers

1.

Ostrom

Good if you want your electricity contract in English

It has an all-English website, app and support. Its variable tariff can be cancelled monthly, and Ostrom handles the switch from your old supplier.

Good for

  • Handling your electricity contract entirely in English
  • Its variable tariff can be cancelled monthly
  • It handles the cancellation with your previous supplier

Watch out

  • Fixed-price tariffs lock you in for 12 or 24 months, unlike the variable one
  • The dynamic tariff needs a smart meter
Visit Ostrom (opens in a new tab)English app & supportNot a partner link
2.

Tibber

Good if you have a smart meter and can shift usage

Its dynamic tariff has no minimum term and rewards shifting usage to cheap hours. It suits EV, battery or heat-pump owners. The website is German-only.

Good for

  • People with a smart meter, EV, battery or heat pump who can shift usage
  • App-based tracking of consumption

Watch out

  • Its German website is German-only (as far as we found)
  • The dynamic tariff needs a smart meter, and prices move hour by hour
  • The fixed tariff has a 1-year term
Visit Tibber (opens in a new tab)German onlyNot a partner link
3.

Octopus Energy

Good if you want green electricity and gas from one supplier

It offers green electricity, gas and smart tariffs. The website is German-only.

Good for

  • Green electricity and gas from one supplier
  • Smart tariffs for EVs and heat pumps

Watch out

  • Its German website is German-only (we found no English version)
  • Tariffs differ in term and price guarantee, so check both before signing
Visit Octopus Energy (opens in a new tab)German onlyNot a partner link

Other options

How we compared

CriterionWeightWhy it matters
English website and supportMost importantWhether you can sign up, submit meter readings and get help in English.
Contract flexibilityMost importantMonthly cancellation versus 12- or 24-month terms and price guarantees.
Smart meter neededImportantDynamic (hourly-price) tariffs need a smart meter. Most rented flats don't have one yet.
PriceImportantPrices depend on your postcode and consumption and change often, so compare quotes for your address. We don't publish prices.
  • If electricity is included in your rent (Warmmiete including Strom), you may not need your own contract. Check your lease.

Conditions change. Check the current terms on the provider's website before you sign up. See our editorial policy.

Sources

Rules can change. These are the pages we checked — they have the final word. How we check facts