One of your first priorities after settling into your new home in Germany will be to set up your internet. Having a fast and reliable internet connection is a must, especially if you work from home. This guide explains how to get your internet connection set up, and what you need to know about the different internet providers in Germany.
Internet providers in Germany
Here's a list of internet providers in Germany:
Package comparison
If you’re unsure which internet provider is right for you, why not use a price comparison site such as CHECK24 to compare packages?
To use the comparison tool, simply enter whether you are looking for an internet connection only, or internet combined with a landline phone and cable TV. You will then have to enter the area code for the German city or town you live in. If you don’t know it, you can find out your area code in our guide to phone numbers in Germany.
Do I need to set up my own internet in Germany?
Depending on your living circumstances, you may not always need to set up an internet connection when you move into a new place in Germany.
If you are renting, you may be able to take over the previous tenant's contract. If you are subletting, the lead tenant or landlord will usually sort out the internet and charge you a portion of the cost.
If you have bought your own house, you will probably need to set up a new connection, which means you may have to wait up to two weeks for your router to be delivered and/or a technician to open your line. Take a look at the availability maps below to see which internet providers are available in your area.
Internet service providers
There are four major internet providers in Germany, which are used by the vast majority of the population:
- Telekom is the biggest provider, used by around 40 percent of the population.
- Vodafone is the second-largest provider, used by around 30 percent of the population; its cables are also used by other providers such as O2 and Eazy.
- 1%1 is used by around 10 percent of the population.
What is the best internet provider in Germany?
The question as to which is the best internet provider in Germany will depend on your situation and preferences. When choosing a provider, keep the following points in mind:
Cost
You should watch out for unexpected and hidden costs. Many internet providers in Germany offer special introductory prices for the first few months. Make sure you understand what the real price of your contract is, once the special offer ends.
You should also be aware that many internet providers in Germany charge you extra for things like providing a wireless router (typically around 5 euros per month for a router). Pay attention to the hidden costs before you decide if one provider is better value than another.
Most providers also let you bundle your internet contract with your TV, landline phone or even mobile phone to get a discount. They also often offer discounts to people under the age of 28, so look out for special deals.
Connection speed
You can get an internet connection with up to 1.000 Mbit/s in Germany - but how much internet do you actually need? Rather than paying for more than you’ll use, consider the fact that a good download speed is considered to be anything above 100 Mbit/s - this will suffice for the vast majority of users.
If you use your internet to do high bandwidth activities like uploading videos, playing video games, or taking part in lots of video calls (for instance if you work from home), you may need a higher bandwidth. This is also the case if you live in a flatshare with lots of other people.
Be aware that you may not get the promised speed from your internet provider. Infrastructure in Germany is in need of updating, and in many cases there are issues with the lines or connection cables.
If you are having problems, you can use the Federal Network Agency’s internet speed test. If you find you have consistently slower speeds than what you are paying for, you may be entitled to a discount.
DSL vs cable vs fibre optic
Not all internet connections are created equal, and not all internet providers in Germany offer all types of internet connections. In Germany, you have the choice between:
- DSL: Transmits data via a copper telephone landline. DSL is generally slower and less reliable than cable or fibre optic, but it is the cheapest and most widely available option in Germany. DSL provides a dedicated connection to each user, so it does not suffer from lag during peak times.
- Cable: Transmits data via a coaxial TV cable. Cable is generally faster than DSL, but not as fast as fibre optic. Cable internet is shared among users in a neighbourhood, and so can be slower during peak times.
- Fibre optic: Transmits data using dedicated glass fibres. Fibre optic is generally the fastest and most reliable type of internet connection. However, the rollout of fibre optic cables in Germany has been slow, and so it may not be available everywhere. It is also generally the most expensive option.
- Vodafone, Telekom and 1&1 all offer their customers the choice of DSL, cable and fibre optic internet, but exact availability will depend on your location.
Availability in your area
You can check the coverage offered by the major internet providers on their websites. Simply enter your postcode to get your results.
Customer support (in English)
The customer support offered by telecommunications companies in Germany generally leaves a lot to be desired. It can be difficult to get help if you are having problems, and companies generally do not offer customer service in English. Indeed, none of the major providers has dedicated English-language support.
Contract length
Be aware that it is common for German internet providers to offer packages based on a minimum contract period (Mindestvertraglaufzeit). Typically, internet contracts in Germany run for a minimum of 24 months, after which you can cancel at any time with a notice period of one month.
If you are only staying in Germany for a short period of time (e.g. if you are studying for a semester and renting student accommodation), make sure you select a contract with no minimum duration (ohne Mindestlaufzeit). Telekom, 1&1 and O2 all offer flexible tariffs with no minimum contract period.
How to set up your internet connection
Setting up your internet in Germany is usually as easy as selecting a provider online and going through the sign-up process with them. If you are setting up a new connection, you may need to wait for a router to be delivered to your house, or a technician to be called out, which can take weeks.
It’s therefore important to start thinking about getting your internet set up as soon as you change address.
Changing your internet provider
German internet contracts will usually automatically renew upon their expiry. If you wish to cancel your contract or change provider after your initial contract term, you need to provide at least one month’s notice.
The simplest method of changing providers is to let your new company handle it: once you take out a new contract with them, they will terminate your previous contract and ensure a smooth transition.
Cancelling your internet contract
You may need to cancel your internet contract without switching to a new provider, for instance if you are leaving Germany permanently. This normally serves as a justification for cancelling an internet contract early with no charge; you will be asked to show the provider proof of your deregistration.
Sometimes it’s possible to cancel your contract online via the provider’s website, but otherwise you’ll need to provide notice of your cancellation in writing via a letter or a fax. It’s a good idea to request confirmation from the provider that your contract has been cancelled.