Electricity or gas contract at the door or on the phone: revoking it

Energy contracts concluded at the door, on the phone or online you can as a consumer usually revoke within 14 days without giving reasons. This protects you from rushed or foisted contracts, precisely with aggressive advertising at the door.

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Your chances of getting your money back

With an energy contract concluded by distance selling or at the door, you have a 14-day right of revocation without giving reasons (§ 312g BGB). The deadline begins only with a proper revocation instruction.

If there was no or a faulty instruction about the right of revocation, the deadline is extended. An energy contract concluded on the phone also often requires a subsequent confirmation in text form to be effective.

What you should do now

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1. Classify the contract conclusion
Was the contract concluded at the door, on the phone or online? Then there is usually a right of revocation.
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2. Check the deadline
14 days from the proper instruction. If the instruction is missing, revocation is often still possible for a long time.
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3. Declare the revocation
Declare the revocation clearly and in writing and have the receipt confirmed.
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4. Secure the old contract
Make sure your previous supply continues, so that no gap arises.

How to spot the scam

A 'representative' at the door pushes for a quick switch.
A contract was concluded on the phone that you did not confirm in text form.
A revocation instruction is missing or incomprehensible.

Frequently asked questions

Can I revoke an energy contract?

Yes, if it was concluded at the door, on the phone or online, you as a consumer usually have a 14-day right of revocation without justification (§ 312g BGB). The deadline begins only with a proper instruction.

What if I was not instructed?

Then the revocation deadline did not begin to run properly, and revocation is often still possible for considerably longer. A missing or faulty instruction extends the deadline substantially.

Does a contract concluded on the phone apply immediately?

Frequently not without further ado: energy contracts concluded by phone often require a subsequent confirmation in text form to become effective. Without this confirmation, the contract usually does not come about.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.