Got a Stromanbieter letter? Here's whether to act, accept, or push back.

Five letters that all look like "Stromanbieterwechsel"

"Stromanbieterwechsel" is the umbrella term for any letter related to changing electricity provider. In practice you receive one of these five:

1. Wechselbestätigung — confirmation that your switch is in progress, with a Lieferbeginn date.
2. Ablehnung des Wechsels — your new provider rejected the switch (usually because of an existing contract or technical issues).
3. Preisanpassung / Tarifänderung — your existing provider is raising the price, triggering your special right to terminate.
4. Kündigungsbestätigung — your old provider confirms your contract end date.
5. Grundversorgung-Mitteilung — you're being placed in default basic supply (often after a failed switch or supplier insolvency).

Read the subject line carefully. The action you need depends on which one it is.

1. Wechselbestätigung — your switch is going through

This is good news. The new provider has registered the switch with the local Netzbetreiber (grid operator) and tells you the Lieferbeginn (delivery start date). The old provider is automatically informed and your previous contract terminates on the day before.

You don't need to do anything except: take a meter reading on the Lieferbeginn date and submit it to both the old and new provider through their online portal. This protects you if either party uses estimated readings later.

2. Ablehnung des Wechsels — your switch was rejected

This usually means one of:

• You're still under a fixed-term contract (Mindestvertragslaufzeit) with the old provider that hasn't ended.
• Your old provider properly objected (Wechselsperre), often because you're behind on payments.
• The address or meter number (Zählernummer / Marktlokations-ID) was wrong on the application.

The letter should state the reason. If it's a wrong meter number, fix it and reapply. If it's an open balance, settle it and reapply. If you're inside a contract term, terminate it correctly first — many providers require notice of at least 6 weeks before the term ends, with automatic renewal otherwise.

3. Preisanpassung — your provider is raising the price

This triggers your special right of termination (Sonderkündigungsrecht). Whenever a provider raises prices unilaterally — outside passing on regulated levies — you can terminate the contract effective on the date the increase takes effect. The notice period in the contract does not apply.

Three things to check on the letter:

• The letter must be sent at least 1 month before the price change (some providers contractually allow 6 weeks).
• It must clearly state the old and new price per kWh and the Grundpreis.
• It must inform you of your Sonderkündigungsrecht. If it doesn't, the price change may be invalid altogether.

You typically have until the day before the new price applies to send a Sonderkündigung. Use registered mail or the provider's web form, citing the Sonderkündigungsrecht and the new price as the trigger.

4. Kündigungsbestätigung — termination confirmed

You sent a termination letter; the provider acknowledges it and states the end date. Cross-check that:

• The end date matches what you intended.
• If you used a Sonderkündigung, the date is the day the price change takes effect (not the regular contract end).
• You have a follow-up arrangement (new provider with a Lieferbeginn that matches, or you accept Grundversorgung as a fallback).

Without a follow-up, the local Grundversorger automatically supplies you — at usually higher prices.

5. Grundversorgung — you're in default supply

When no other supplier is delivering to your meter, the legally designated Grundversorger (the largest supplier in your postcode area, often a Stadtwerk) must take over. You'll get a Begrüßungsbrief or a Mitteilung über die Aufnahme in die Grundversorgung. This happens after:

• You moved into a new flat without registering a contract.
• Your previous supplier went insolvent.
• A failed switch left a supply gap.

Grundversorgung tariffs are public, regulated, and usually not the cheapest. You have no minimum contract term and only a 2-week notice period. Switch to a competitive tariff at any time — there's no penalty.

What to do — by letter type

Wechselbestätigung: Note the Lieferbeginn date. Submit your meter reading on that day to both old and new provider.

Ablehnung: Read the reason. Fix it (correct meter number, settle outstanding balance, wait out the contract term), then reapply.

Preisanpassung: Decide quickly. If you don't want the new price, send a Sonderkündigung before the increase takes effect. Compare on Verivox or Check24 and arrange your next contract before terminating.

Kündigungsbestätigung: Verify the end date is correct and you have a successor contract lined up.

Grundversorgung: Treat as temporary. Switch to a market tariff with 2-week notice — never stay in Grundversorgung longer than necessary.

When the letter is invalid

• A Preisanpassung letter that does not mention your Sonderkündigungsrecht is generally invalid — courts have ruled this consistently.
• A Preisanpassung less than one month before the new price takes effect violates the notice period.
• A switch rejection without a clear reason can be challenged via the Bundesnetzagentur Schlichtungsstelle.
• A contract auto-extension that wasn't disclosed clearly at signup is challengeable under the Faire-Verbraucherverträge-Gesetz (since 2022, max 1 year auto-extension, then 1 month notice).

Key terms glossary

Still not sure what your letter wants?

Upload your Stromanbieter letter and get:

• ✓ Plain English identification of which type of letter you got
• ✓ Lieferbeginn / price change / termination dates extracted
• ✓ Sonderkündigungsrecht check on price-change letters
• ✓ Draft Sonderkündigung or response letter in German

Open Briefed — explain my letter

Last updated: April 2026