When choosing home internet in Germany, the main thing is not to sign a contract with the very first provider. The difference between the promotional price and the standard price can be up to €15 a month, and the contract lasts for up to two years.
Good news: since 2021, the Telecommunications Act (Telekommunikationsgesetz) gives subscribers very strong rights – ranging from financial compensation for every day without a connection to the right to legally pay less if the speed is lower than promised. Most of these rights are not mentioned at all in Russian-language compilations.
In this article: what types of connection exist, what speed is actually needed, how to compare tariffs, what to do if your internet is slow or has dropped out, how to cancel your contract, and what is available for those who have just arrived and do not yet have a Schufa score.
Connection types
Several technologies are available in Germany at once, and both the speed and the price depend on what is connected to your house. You can check availability for a specific address with any provider or on an aggregator — just enter the street and house number.
| Technology | What does it give | Who it is suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| DSL / VDSL — telephone line | Up to 250 Mbps download, upload noticeably slower | Available almost everywhere. The most common option: around 59 % of all connections in the country |
| Cable (coaxial) | Up to 1 Gbps download, upload is poor; the line is shared with building neighbours | Fast and cheap, but the speed can drop in the evening |
| Fibre optics (Glasfaser, FTTH and FTTB) | Symmetrical speed, latency 3–8 ms | This is the best option if you have it at home. Around 49 % households have access, but only one in four is connected |
| 5G or LTE instead of cable | It depends on tower traffic | When there's nowhere to run a line or you need internet right tomorrow |
| Satellite | High latency, expensive | An extreme case is remote houses with no other communication |
In the flat, everything comes down to the socket. Unlike CIS countries, different types of sockets are used here, each for its own technology:
- DSL via telephone socket
- Cable through the television socket
- Fibre/Optic - optical fibre, which usually requires a separate device for connection
The multimedia socket has three holes, the top one of which is intended for the internet. Often there is no third hole — in which case the socket needs to be replaced. Usually, technicians for connecting and replacing the socket are provided by the provider itself, and this service is most often free of charge.
It is easiest to arrange a visit by phone or email. Please make sure that the technician has access to the main switchboard — this is usually located in the basement of the building, and the key is held by the management company or the caretaker.
An important detail about responsibility. By law, the provider's network ends at the wall socket (§ 73 TKG). Everything beyond that — the router, cables, Wi-Fi in the flat — is your responsibility. Therefore, if you are complaining about speed, you need to measure it from a computer connected to the router by cable: the provider will not accept a measurement taken over Wi-Fi.
Router
The provider usually offers a router to rent for €4–6 a month. Over a two-year contract, that is €100–145, which is comparable to the cost of a good device of your own.
You don't have to take the provider's router
Since 2016, Germany has had freedom of terminal equipment choice (Routerfreiheit), now enshrined in Section 73, paragraph 3 of the Telecommunications Act (TKG). The rule states clearly: the provider can suggest its own device, but have no right to compel it and use it. Nor can he refuse to connect your router if the device complies with EU technical requirements.
Furthermore, the provider is obliged to issue the access data and all the information necessary to connect your own router. in text form, free of charge and without your request, already upon concluding the contract. If you are told «we do not hand over data» or «only our Speedport works» — this is a breach of the law, and you can complain about it to the Bundesnetzagentur.
Practical advice: owning your own router makes sense if you are staying in Germany for the long term and plan to change providers. When moving or switching operators, the device stays with you. If you don't want to mess about with settings, renting a router from the provider is a legitimate and convenient option, albeit a paid one.
Selection of tariff and internet speed
This is most likely where people lose money. Almost all tariffs are sold at a promotional price for the first 6–12 months, after which they rise to the standard price — the difference is usually between €5 and €15 a month. This information must be stated in the summary of the contract (Vertragszusammenfassung), which the provider is obliged to give you. until signature (§ 54 TKG).
What speed do you really need
| How do you use the internet | Sufficient speed |
|---|---|
| Email, messengers, bank, one person | 16–50 Mbps |
| Family, video calls, HD streaming on two devices | 50–100 Mbps |
| Multiple users simultaneously, work from home, 4K streaming | 100–250 Mbps |
| Regular uploading of large files, home server | Symmetrical fibre optic |
A gigabit tariff is generally unnecessary for an ordinary household: Wi-Fi and the devices themselves will usually become the bottleneck first. For a home, what matters more is upload speed (Upload) — it is responsible for the quality of video calls, whereas with DSL and cable, it is manifold lower than the download speed.
Contract term: you are entitled to 12 months
The maximum initial contract term is 24 months. However, Section 56(1) of the TKG contains a rule that almost no one knows about: Prior to concluding the contract, the provider is obliged to offer you an option with a term of no more than 12 months.. It is more expensive, but when moving or changing plans, this is often more cost-effective.
After the initial term, the contract can no longer be extended by another year: pursuant to Section 56(3) of the TKG, you have the right to terminate it at any time with one month's notice, and you should not incur any expenses as a result.
A separate note on fibre optics. Some providers count the 24 months not from the signing of the contract, but from the day of connection – and you can wait up to a year for connection. The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH, case III ZR 8/25) has ruled this practice inadmissible: The term of the agreement commences on the date of its conclusion.
Ordering an additional service or device from the same provider does not renew term of the contract — unless you have explicitly agreed to an extension when placing your order (§ 66 para. 3 TKG).
And furthermore: cancelling a contract online should be just as easy as concluding it. From 1 July 2022, websites must feature a cancellation button (Kündigungsbutton, § 312k BGB) that is accessible without logging into a user account. If the button is missing or incorrectly implemented, the contract can be cancelled at any time without observing a notice period.
Finding a cost-effective internet tariff is easy!
It is recommended to use comparison sites to compare tariffs and choose the optimal provider CHECK24*. Enter your address, and the system will suggest only those operators that are available in your building for tariff comparison, and may also provide information on potential discounts. Or use the form below:
postcode — your city postcode / Location — city
Road — Street / House no. — house number
Internet slower than promised: how to legally pay less
This is the strongest right a subscriber has in Germany, and almost nobody uses it. Section 57(4) of the Telecommunications Act (TKG): if the actual speed deviates significantly, constantly or regularly from the one stated in the contract, you are entitled to reduce the fee in proportion to the deviation or terminate the contract without observing the notice period.
The literal wording of the law regarding the reduction amount is: the fee is reduced in the same proportion as the actual service deviates from the contractual one. If instead of the promised 100 Mbps you get a real 50, you pay half as much.
And another detail in your favour: once the fact is established, the right to a reduction in the fee is retained until the provider proves, which is now providing the service properly.
A standard speed test won't do
The test on the provider's website, Ookla or the router page only give the initial signal. For a formal complaint, you need the official tool of the Federal Network Agency — Breitbandmessung desktop app. It generates a signed PDF protocol that the provider is obliged to accept.
How to measure: home broadband
| How many measurements | 30 measurements on three different days, 10 measurements per day |
| Campaign duration | All measurements are within 14 calendar days |
| Pauses | There must be at least one calendar day between measurement days. There must be at least three hours between the fifth and sixth measurement days, and at least five minutes between the others |
| How to connect | Computer to router by cable only. The Wi-Fi measurement is invalid. |
When is a deviation considered material
Execution is sufficient at least one of the three conditions — regarding download speed or upload speed:
- on at least two out of three days, not achieved at least once 90 % from the maximum speed specified in the contract;
- «The »normally available’ speed specified in the contract was not achieved in 90 % of all measurements;
- on at least two days out of three, the speed dropped at least once below minimum, specified in the contract.
All three values — the maximum, normally available and minimum speed — must be included in your contract and in the product information sheet (Produktinformationsblatt).
Mobile internet: new rules from April 2026
Until spring 2026, no official procedure existed for mobile communications. As of 20 April 2026, a separate regulation by the Bundesnetzagentur and app apply broadband measurement mobile network verification procedure for Android and iOS.
The threshold depends on building density: Germany is divided into 300 × 300-metre squares, and the app determines your zone automatically.
| Type of area | Threshold of the declared maximum speed |
|---|---|
| High-density development (from 145 households per square) | 25 % |
| Medium density (from 45 to 145) | 15 % |
| Low density (less than 45) | 10 % |
The deviation is considered significant if, on at least three out of five days, the threshold is not met at least once. We need 30 measurements across five different days, six per day, with the entire campaign within 14 days. Measurements must be taken outdoors, standing in one spot.
What the provider is entitled not to recognise: slow Wi-Fi, an old router, an antivirus and your computer settings. Their responsibility ends at the socket.
Compensation: how much your provider owes you for outages
The amounts are set directly in the law, and there is no shame in demanding them - this is not a complaint, but a statutory mechanism. Please note: the «whichever is higher» rule applies everywhere - the fixed amount or a percentage of the monthly payment.
| Situation | Compensation | Norm |
|---|---|---|
| The internet is completely down: the third and fourth day since the request | €5 or 10 % daily subscription fee | Section 58(3) of the Telecommunications Act (TKG) |
| The internet hasn't worked at all since the fifth day | €10 or 20 % daily subscription fee | Section 58(3) of the Telecommunications Act (TKG) |
| The tradesperson did not arrive on the agreed day | €10 or 20 % monthly fee for each missed visit | Section 58(4) of the Telecommunications Act |
| When changing providers, the connection was interrupted for longer than one working day | €10 or 20 % monthly fee for each subsequent working day | Section 59(4) of the Telecommunications Act |
| Porting of the number has been delayed | €10 for each day delays | Section 59(6) of the Telecommunications Act (TKG) |
| The old provider keeps sending bills after the contract has ended, until the switch is complete | Connection fee halved | Section 59(3) of the Telecommunications Act |
In addition, the provider is obliged to rectify the fault immediately and free of charge, and if they cannot do so within one calendar day — by the next day at the latest inform you what measures have been taken and when the fault is expected to be resolved (§ 58 para. 2 TKG). The right to claim compensation for actual damage in excess of these amounts remains unaffected.
Important restriction: lump-sum compensations no for the delay of the very first connection at a new address, provided it is not a change of provider or a move. General civil law applies there: you set the provider a reasonable additional period (usually 10–14 days) by registered letter, and after it expires, you terminate the contract and claim compensation for losses.
Changing provider and moving house
Switching provider
The whole process is managed by new Internet service provider — it is usually the provider who submits the notice to terminate the old contract. Both parties are obliged to cooperate and ensure that there is no interruption to the service: under Section 59(2) of the Telecommunications Act (TKG), any interruption must not exceed one working day. The new provider has no right to charge you money until the transfer is successfully completed.
Porting your number is free: direct payments for it from the subscriber prohibited by law (§ 59 para. 7 TKG) An application for the transfer of a landline number can be submitted even within a month after expiry of the contract. The mobile number can be transferred at any time, while the contract remains in force.
There is one restriction: you cannot transfer a number from a fixed-line range to a mobile one and vice versa.
Moving house
| If the provider operates at the new address | I am obliged to renew the contract on the same terms and for the same period — the new 24 months do not start when moving (§ 60 para. 1 TKG) |
| Transfer fee | Permissible, but no higher than the new subscriber connection fee with this same provider |
| If the service is not available at the new address | Termination with notice in one month; termination may take effect on or after the move-out date (§ 60 para. 2 TKG) |
| If the contracted speed is not achieved at the new address | This is also a ground for termination. You are not obliged to agree to a different, more expensive tariff. |
| Landline number | It is kept only if the city dialling code does not change. Mobile is always kept |
| Activation at the new address | It must take place on a date explicitly agreed with you; in the event of a delay, the same compensation rules apply as for switching providers (§ 60 para. 3 TKG) |
| Moving abroad | German providers only maintain their own network within the country, so extraordinary termination under Section 60 para. 2 of the Telecommunications Act (TKG) almost always applies |
The provider is changing the terms of the contract
If the provider changes the terms unilaterally — for example, raises the price of the current contract — you have the right to terminate the contract. without observing the time limit and without expenses (§ 57 Para. 1 Telecommunications Act (TKG)). He must give notice at least one and at most two months in advance, in plain language, with a direct reference to your right of termination. You have three months to submit the application.
A right does not arise in three cases: a change exclusively in your favour, a change of a purely administrative nature without negative consequences, or a change directly prescribed by law. The provider is obliged to prove that the case is precisely such.
A little-known bonus: under Section 57(3) of the Telecommunications Act (TKG), the provider is obliged at least once a year telling you which of its tariffs is better value for you based on the volume actually used. It is not allowed to do this by phone alone.
Right to minimum internet access
Since 2022, every household in Germany has had a legal right to a minimum telecommunications supply (§§ 156–158 TKG). From 1 January 2025, the minimum values have been increased:
| Processing speed | at least 15 Mbps |
| Upload speed | at least 5 Mbps |
| Latency | no more than 150 ms |
| The price of «affordable» connection | around €35 a month gross |
What doesn't this right give?
The caveats are substantial, and it is more honest to state them right away:
- rights specifically to wired no connection - the law allows performance via a mobile network or satellite. If at your address mobile internet gives 15/5/150, the right is considered fulfilled;
- law applies only in the country of primary residence or place of business;
- you cannot request it directly from a specific provider — the procedure is initiated by the Bundesnetzagentur;
- the procedure usually takes, at least a year.
How to apply
From December 2025 there is a simplified measurement procedure (RaVT): the whole campaign takes place in a single day and without registration — we need 10 readings in two blocks of five consecutively with a 10-hour pause between the blocks. The protocol itself assesses whether there is a sign of under-supply and provides a direct link to the application form.
Next, the Bundesnetzagentur checks the data, officially records the undersupply if necessary and publishes it. Providers have a month to step forward voluntarily; if no one volunteers, the agency has the right to oblige one or more companies to provide the connection.
Just arrived: internet without Schufa and without registration
The most common problem in the first few weeks: a home internet contract requires a credit check, and a new resident does not have a Schufa score yet. A Schufa check is not a requirement of the Telecommunications Act, but rather an internal decision by the provider, so there is no single rule here and promising «internet without Schufa with operator N» would be dishonest.
On the other hand, the law directly addresses the issue of mobile communications.
Mobile internet is available from day one
Section 172 paragraph 2 of the TKG lists the documents that are sufficient for activating a prepaid SIM card. The list explicitly names, in addition to a passport and Personalausweis:
- Residence permit — residence permit;
- Proof of arrival and a certificate of Aufenthaltsgestattung;
- certificate of suspension of deportation (Duldung);
- any recognised document with a photograph that fulfils the passport requirement in Germany.
So, a German SIM card with mobile internet is available before the Anmeldung, before opening a bank account and before having a Schufa record. For the first few weeks, and sometimes months, this is a working solution: modern tariffs provide enough data for work and video calls, and fixed-line internet can be arranged later.
Protection against a forced contract over the phone
It is also worth knowing the rule in § 54 para. 3 TKG. A contract concluded over the telephone, comes into force only after you have received a summary of the agreement and subsequently approved it in text form — for example, by email. Until then, the contract does not legally exist, even if the provider has already switched the services over. This is a direct safeguard for those who are not yet confident in understanding spoken German.
Roaming: how much internet works abroad
In EU countries, as well as in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, the «like at home» rule applies: calls and data are charged at the German tariff rate. However, unlimited and very cheap bundles have a legal limit on the roaming volume. This is calculated using the formula: the monthly fee excluding VAT, divided by the wholesale data cap per gigabyte, multiplied by two. In 2026, the cap is €1.10 per gigabyte.
Key detail: Unless your provider has explicitly informed you of a roaming limit, your full home data allowance is available to you abroad.
And a warning for those who spend a lot of time outside Germany: if the SIM card is used predominantly abroad during a four-month observation period, the provider has the right to send a warning and start charging surcharges after two weeks. This is legal.
Cable TV can no longer be included in utility bills
С 1st July 2024 the so-called cable privilege (Nebenkostenprivileg) has been abolished. Previously, landlords included the monthly cable connection fee in the service charges, and it was impossible to opt out.
| What must not be moved | The monthly base fee for a broadband or cable connection and the associated television service |
| What is still allowed | Costs for the operation of the building-wide antenna and internal distribution network |
| Fibre optic | The fee for laying fibre-optic cables in a building can be included in the Nebenkosten, but no more than €60 a year and €540 in total for an apartment, maximum five years — and only if the tenant is free to choose their own provider |
| Right to withdraw | The tenant is entitled to notify the landlord at any time of their withdrawal from the telecoms service within the tenancy with one month's notice—provided that the tenancy has lasted 24 months and longer (section 71(2) of the Telecommunications Act) |
| The law does not grant television rights | TKG guarantees at least a telephone and internet connection, but not TV. The right to a television connection can only arise from the tenancy agreement |
What happens now: you either pay the chosen provider directly or the landlord – but in both cases under a separate individual contract. Alternatives to cable are terrestrial DVB-T2, internet television (IPTV) or satellite.
Disputed bill and complaint against the provider
Disputing the bill: eight weeks
Under § 67 TKG, bills can be disputed within eight weeks from the time of receipt. The provider must decrypt the connections and perform a technical inspection. Then things get interesting:
- if provider does not provide explanation and test results within eight weeks of your complaint, all accrued late payment claims are paid off;
- the disputed amount becomes due only when you have been provided with the requested documents;
- the burden of proof lies with the provider: it is he who must prove that the service was provided technically flawlessly up to the connection point.
Disconnection due to debt
Connection can only be disconnected in case of default at least €100, with written notice at least two weeks in advance and with indication of the possibility of court protection. Amounts that you have reasonably disputed and that are not confirmed by a court are not counted. Disconnection must be limited to the affected service, and in the event of a dispute over paid services, access to a minimum volume of communications and internet must be maintained (§ 61 TKG).
Third-party services on the invoice
If charges for subscriptions and services you did not order appear on your mobile bill, demand free blocking of third-party providers (Drittanbietersperre) from your operator — the right to it is given by § 61 TKG. At the same time you can freely block expensive number ranges, including international directions.
If no agreement could be reached
At the Bundesnetzagentur, an ombudsman's office works (Schlichtungsstelle Telekommunikation). The procedure completely free for both parties, but there are three caveats you should know about in advance:
- filing is possible only in German language and only through the official form;
- the provider's participation is voluntary, and the conciliation body's offer is not subject to mandatory enforcement;
- queue is long: the official average duration is about 14 weeks, but in summer 2026 the authority warned that it was reviewing applications submitted 35 weeks ago.
A legal bonus for which it makes sense to apply even with long waiting: filing suspends the running of the limitation period. The authority itself honestly warns that it does not collect the money — a court is required for that.
Nine traps in internet contracts
| Trap | What protects you |
|---|---|
| Promotional price for 6–12 months, then sharp increase | Both prices must be included in the brief contract summary that is provided before signing (§ 54 TKG). Calculate the total cost over 24 months, not just the first payment |
| Price increase of existing contract | Termination without notice period and without costs, three months to file (§ 57 TKG) |
| Fiber optic contract "24 months from connection" | Illegal: the deadline runs from the date of conclusion of the contract (BGH decision, case III ZR 8/25) |
| Automatic renewal for another year | No longer permitted: after the minimum term – termination at any time with one month's notice (§ 56 TKG) |
| Internet plus mobile combo package | If the provider breaches conditions on any one component, you are entitled to terminate the whole package, not just part of it (§ 66 Abs. 2 TKG) |
| "Ordering an additional option extends the contract" | Prohibited: ordering services or devices from the same provider does not extend the term if you have not explicitly agreed to it (§ 66 Abs. 3 TKG) |
| Mandatory router rental | The provider cannot prescribe its own device and must provide access data free of charge upon conclusion of the contract (§ 73 Abs. 3 TKG) |
| Charge for number transfer or relocation | Number portability is free; the charge for moving cannot exceed the charge for a new connection (§ 59, § 60 TKG) |
| Phone on installment, tied to the contract | For lawful early termination, you cannot be charged anything beyond the residual value of the device, limited by two caps; after payment, the SIM lock is removed free of charge (§ 56 Abs. 4 TKG) |
Frequently asked questions
Can I terminate the contract early if I'm leaving Germany?
Yes, via the relocation rule: if the provider does not offer service at the new address, the contract can be terminated with one month's notice, effective on the moving-out date or later (§ 60 Abs. 2 TKG). German carriers only operate their own network within the country, so this rule applies in almost every case when moving abroad. Give notice in writing and keep proof of it.
The Internet hasn't worked for a week. Can I refuse to pay?
Not just 'don't pay', but demand compensation by law: from the third day after application — 5 € or 10% of monthly fee per day, from the fifth — 10 € or 20%, in each case the larger amount is taken. Be sure to document the date of contact: the provider is required to document it, and exactly from it days are counted.
The provider demands the return of the router. What happens if I have lost it?
Equipment remains the property of the provider and must be returned. If the device is lost, you may be required to pay its residual value, but not an arbitrary amount: it cannot exceed either the pro-rata value of the device at the date of conclusion of the contract or the amount of remaining payments under the contract.
I was promised 250 Mbps, but the speed test shows 90. Is this a violation?
It's possible, but a regular speed test doesn't prove anything. You need a report from the Breitbandmessung app: 30 measurements on three different days, computer connected to the router by cable. If on at least two of the three days the speed did not reach 90% of the contractual maximum, the deviation is considered significant and you have the right to pay less.
What to do if the house has neither cable nor fiber?
First check mobile internet offers for home — today this is a full alternative in most regions. If the speed there is also below 15 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, you have the right to basic supply: measure the line by RaVT procedure and file an application with Bundesnetzagentur. Be prepared that the procedure will take about a year.
How much does internet cost in Germany?
Honest answer: it depends on the address, and there is no single official price statistic. Guidelines for mid-2026: promotional prices for 50–100 Mbit/s tariffs — roughly from 15 to 40 € per month, with the regular price after the promotion — 35–50 €. The one-off connection fee — 40–70 €, router rental — 4–6 € per month. The basic universal service under the right to minimum internet access is estimated by the regulator at around 35 € per month. The exact price for your address will be shown by the form above.
What else to read on finber.de
- Gas heating and gas prices — how gas billing works and how to change provider
- Termination of a contract in Germany — how Kündigung differs from Widerruf and what deadlines apply
- Useful telephone numbers in Germany — emergency and information numbers
- Document retention periods — how long to keep invoices and contracts
Sources
Standards and procedures verified against primary sources on 19.08.2026:
- Telekommunikationsgesetz (TKG 2021): § 54, § 56, § 57, § 58, § 59, § 60, § 61, § 66, § 67, § 68, § 71, § 72, § 73, § 156–158, § 172, § 230
- Telecommunications Minimum Service Ordinance (TKMV) as amended on 01.01.2025 — 15 / 5 Mbps and 150 ms
- § 312k BGB – cancellation button; § 2 BetrKV – utility costs
- Bundesnetzagentur: Verfügung 99/2021 (measurement of fixed broadband speed) and Verfügung 35/2026 (mobile internet, effective from 20.04.2026)
- Bundesnetzagentur, Annual Telecommunications Report 2025 – technology shares, complaint statistics and dispute resolution
- Breitbandatlas / Gigabit-Grundbuch – fiber optic coverage, data as of 31.12.2025
- Bundesnetzagentur — EU roaming rules and surcharge caps for 2026
- BGH, case III ZR 8/25 — start date of fiber optic contract
- Verbraucherzentrale — practical recommendations on measuring speed, moving house and switching provider
Tariff prices change constantly and depend on location; the ranges provided are a guide for mid-2026. This material is for information purposes only and does not replace legal advice.
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(*) meaning:
With our recommendations, we want to help as many people as possible look after their finances. We fund our work through affiliate links. We mark these links with an asterisk (*).
