Five letters that all look like "Gasanbieterwechsel"
Gasanbieterwechsel covers any letter about changing your gas supplier. In practice you receive one of these five — the same categories as electricity switches, but for your Gaszähler (gas meter):
- Wechselbestätigung — your switch is registered, with a Lieferbeginn date.
- Ablehnung des Wechsels — the new supplier rejected the switch.
- Preisanpassung / Tarifänderung — your provider raises the price; triggers Sonderkündigungsrecht.
- Kündigungsbestätigung — your old contract end date is confirmed.
- Grundversorgung-Mitteilung — you're on default basic gas supply.
Read the subject line first. The action depends on which type it is.
1. Wechselbestätigung — your gas switch is going through
Your new Gasanbieter registered the switch with the local Gasnetzbetreiber (gas grid operator). The old supplier is notified automatically; your previous contract ends the day before Lieferbeginn.
On Lieferbeginn, read your gas meter (Zählerstand in m³ or kWh) and submit it to both old and new supplier via their portal. This prevents estimated final bills — especially important for heating costs.
2. Ablehnung des Wechsels — switch rejected
Common reasons:
- You're still in a fixed Mindestvertragslaufzeit with the old provider.
- Wechselsperre because of unpaid gas bills.
- Wrong address, Zählernummer, or Marktlokations-ID on the application.
Fix the stated problem, then reapply. If you're in a fixed term, terminate correctly first — often 6 weeks' notice before the term ends.
3. Preisanpassung — price increase and Sonderkündigung
A unilateral gas price hike (beyond regulated pass-through charges) gives you Sonderkündigungsrecht — terminate effective when the new price starts, without waiting for the main contract end.
Check the letter for:
- At least 1 month notice before the increase (some contracts allow 6 weeks).
- Old and new Arbeitspreis (per kWh) and Grundpreis (standing charge).
- Explicit mention of your Sonderkündigungsrecht — without it, the increase may be invalid.
Send Sonderkündigung before the new price applies (registered mail or provider portal). Compare tariffs on Verivox or Check24 before you cancel.
4. Kündigungsbestätigung — termination confirmed
Verify the end date matches your intent. If you used Sonderkündigung, the date should be the price-change date. Ensure a new Gasanbieter has a matching Lieferbeginn — otherwise the local Grundversorger supplies you at usually higher rates.
5. Grundversorgung — default gas supply
If no market supplier delivers to your meter, the designated Grundversorger must supply gas. This happens after a move without registering, supplier insolvency, or a failed switch. Grundversorgung has no minimum term and only 2 weeks' notice — switch to a competitive tariff quickly.
Meter readings and final bills
After a switch, the old supplier sends a Schlussrechnung (final bill). Compare:
- Zählerstand on Lieferbeginn vs what you submitted.
- Abschläge (monthly prepayments) vs actual usage — you may get a refund or Nachzahlung.
- Conversion from m³ to kWh (Brennwert/Zustandszahl) if the bill looks confusing.
Gas heating spikes in winter — a wrong estimated reading can mean a large surprise bill months later.
What to do — by letter type
Wechselbestätigung: Note Lieferbeginn; submit meter reading that day to both suppliers.
Ablehnung: Fix the reason (balance, meter ID, contract term), then reapply.
Preisanpassung: Decide fast — Sonderkündigung if you reject the new price; line up a new contract first.
Kündigungsbestätigung: Confirm end date and successor supplier.
Grundversorgung: Temporary only — switch within weeks.
When the letter is invalid
- Preisanpassung without Sonderkündigungsrecht information — often void.
- Less than one month's notice before a price increase.
- Switch rejection without a clear reason — challenge via Bundesnetzagentur Schlichtungsstelle.
- Auto-renewal beyond Faire-Verbraucherverträge rules (max 1 year extension, then 1 month notice).
Key terms glossary
| Gasanbieter | Gas supplier — bills you for gas |
| Gasnetzbetreiber | Gas grid operator — regional monopoly |
| Gaszähler | Gas meter at your property |
| Wechselbestätigung | Confirmation your switch is registered |
| Lieferbeginn | Day the new supplier starts — submit reading |
| Wechselsperre | Block on switching, often unpaid bills |
| Preisanpassung | Price increase notification |
| Sonderkündigungsrecht | Special termination right after price hike |
| Grundversorgung | Default basic supply tariff |
| Abschläge | Monthly prepayments toward annual bill |
| Schlussrechnung | Final bill after contract ends |
Still not sure what your letter wants?
Upload your Gasanbieter letter and get:
- ✓ Plain English identification of letter type
- ✓ Lieferbeginn / price change / termination dates extracted
- ✓ Sonderkündigungsrecht check on price letters
- ✓ Draft Sonderkündigung or response in German
Open Briefed — explain my letter
Last updated: June 2026