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Emergency

Electricity basic supply: your entitlement to delivery

No one in Germany has to be left without electricity: the local basic supplier is obliged to supply household customers with electricity (and gas) under general conditions. This is your safety net when a contract ends or a provider fails, though often at higher prices than special contracts.

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Your chances of getting your money back

The basic supplier must supply household customers in the grid area with energy at general prices (§ 36 EnWG). So you always have an entitlement to electricity, even without a special contract.
The basic supply is usually more expensive than special contracts. But it can be canceled at any time on short notice, so that you can switch to a cheaper tariff as soon as your situation is clarified.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Determine the basic supplier

    The basic supplier is the energy company with the most household customers in your grid area.

  2. 2

    2. Secure the delivery

    When a contract ends or a provider fails, the basic supply applies; register with the basic supplier.

  3. 3

    3. Check the prices

    Compare the basic supply prices and plan a switch to a cheaper tariff.

  4. 4

    4. Cancel on short notice

    The basic supply can be canceled on short notice, use this to switch quickly.

How to spot the scam

  • You are told you would 'no longer get any electricity', this is not true because of the basic supply obligation.
  • You stay permanently in the expensive basic supply tariff instead of switching.
  • A disconnection is threatened, although there is an entitlement to delivery.

Frequently asked questions

Do I always have an entitlement to electricity?

Yes. The local basic supplier must supply household customers under general conditions and prices (§ 36 EnWG). If a contract ends or a provider fails, you automatically slip into the basic or replacement supply.

Is the basic supply expensive?

It is usually more expensive than a special contract. In return it is secure and can be canceled at any time on short notice. Use it as a transition and switch to a cheaper tariff as soon as your situation is clarified.

Who is my basic supplier?

It is the energy supply company with the most household customers in the respective grid area. It is obliged to supply you. You can find out the basic supplier via the local grid operator.

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.