Gas Basic Supply in Germany
What Grundversorgung means for you
When you move into a flat in Germany, the local basic supplier (German: Grundversorger) delivers your gas automatically. You sign nothing and you show no Schufa. Here is what that costs and when switching is worth it.
Key takeaways
- You land in the basic supply automatically when you move in. No application, no Schufa, no sign-up fee.
- It is usually pricier than a special contract. Per BDEW (April 2026), you pay roughly 3 to 5 cents per kWh more.
- The notice period is only 2 weeks (§ 20 GasGVV), so you can switch fast.
- Switching is free and your gas keeps flowing without interruption.
What is the gas basic supply?
The basic supply (German: Grundversorgung) is a German particularity. Every grid area has one basic supplier, the gas company that serves the most households there. By law (§ 36 EnWG), this supplier must serve every household at fixed, published prices. So nobody is left without gas, even if they never actively chose a tariff.
Who your Grundversorger is depends on your address. As the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) explains, it is set every three years based on who serves the most household customers in the grid area, often the local municipal utility (Stadtwerke). There is no central list, but you can find yours through your grid operator or simply by entering your postal code in the comparison.
Who ends up in the basic supply automatically?
No one actively signs up for the basic supply. You end up in it by using gas without having chosen your own contract first. In legal terms this is an implied contract (§ 2 GasGVV). It mainly affects three situations:
You just moved in
When you move into a flat, supply from the Grundversorger begins automatically. You do not need to apply.
You came from abroad
The basic supply needs no Schufa report and no German bank account. The Grundversorger is obliged to supply you.
You relocated
After a move, the basic supply applies again in your new flat unless you arrange something else.
What does the basic supply cost?
Gas is billed in two parts: the unit price (Arbeitspreis) per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and a fixed monthly base price (Grundpreis). The household gas average is around 11 cents per kWh according to the BDEW gas price analysis (April 2026). Pure basic-supply tariffs are often higher, usually 13 to 14 cents per kWh, while cheap new-customer special contracts start at about 8 to 10 cents per kWh.
An example: an 80 m² flat with gas heating uses roughly 10,000 to 14,000 kWh a year. At a 4-cent difference per kWh, a special contract saves you about EUR 400 to 560 a year. For larger flats or a house, the saving is higher. Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre) and Finanztip reach similar figures: switching out of the basic supply usually saves several hundred euros.
Prices vary a lot by region and grid operator. What you pay depends on your postal code. You can see an overview for your address in the gas comparison.
Compare tariffs in your region
Enter your postal code and see suitable offers.
Only 2 weeks notice period
The basic supply has one clear upside: you can leave quickly. The notice period is two weeks (§ 20 GasGVV), also confirmed by the Verbraucherzentrale. You are not locked into a long term the way many special contracts work.
That is exactly why the basic supply is meant as a safety net, not a permanent solution. Anyone who stays in it for more than a few months tends to overpay. Switching almost always pays off, and you can start it any time.
How to switch out of the basic supply, step by step
Switching is simpler than many expect. You need neither a Schufa report nor a German ID card. A passport and your address are usually enough.
- 1. Check your usage: your last gas bill shows your kWh consumption. If you do not have one yet, estimate roughly 130 to 180 kWh per square metre per year.
- 2. Compare tariffs: enter your postal code and usage in the comparison. You immediately see the cheapest providers in your region.
- 3. Pick a tariff: look for a term of about 12 months, a price guarantee and fair conditions. Be careful with prepayment or package tariffs with a minimum purchase.
- 4. Sign up online: your new provider handles the cancellation and registration. You do not need to do anything else.
Your supply continues without interruption during the switch. If a contract does not start on time, the replacement supply (Ersatzversorgung, § 38 EnWG) catches you for up to three months. So you are never left without gas.
For newcomers from abroad
Just arrived and no German bank account yet? Not a problem. In the basic supply you are supplied with gas from day one, with no Schufa and no credit check. Only when you switch to a cheaper special contract do some providers ask for bank details or run a credit check.
Three terms you will meet on your bill: Grundversorger (your default provider), Arbeitspreis (price per kWh) and Grundpreis (fixed monthly fee). Basic supply is just one of several types of gas tariffs. The same guide is available in German and Turkish, so German bureaucracy feels a little less intimidating.
Frequently asked questions
Am I automatically in the basic supply when I am new to Germany?
Yes. As soon as you move into a flat and use gas, the local basic supplier (Grundversorger) delivers to you. This happens through your consumption, with no application needed (legally, an implied contract under § 2 GasGVV). You do not need a Schufa report or a credit check for it.
Do I need a Schufa report for a gas contract?
Not for the basic supply. The Grundversorger has to supply you, so a credit check is unusual here. Cheaper special contracts (Sonderverträge) may include a credit check. If you have no German Schufa history yet, the comparison also shows tariffs without a Schufa query.
How much does it cost to switch out of the basic supply?
Nothing. Switching providers in Germany is free, there is no switching fee. Your new provider handles the cancellation with the Grundversorger and the registration with the grid operator. You do not have to do anything else.
How much more expensive is the basic supply than a special contract?
According to the BDEW gas price analysis (April 2026), the household gas average is around 11 cents per kWh. Basic supply tariffs are often 13 to 14 cents, while cheap new-customer tariffs start at about 8 to 10 cents. A gap of 3 to 5 cents per kWh adds up to several hundred euros a year.
Will my gas be cut off during the switch?
No. Supply continues without interruption during a switch, handled by the standard switching process. If a contract does not start in time, the replacement supply (Ersatzversorgung, § 38 EnWG) acts as a safety net for up to three months. You are never left without gas.
How quickly can I cancel the basic supply?
The notice period is two weeks (§ 20 GasGVV). You are not tied to a long contract term and can switch to a cheaper provider at short notice. In most cases it is worth doing soon after you move in.
Related: Gas price guarantee explained, gas comparison.
Note: The prices given are guidance values from publicly available sources (BDEW gas price analysis April 2026, Bundesnetzagentur, Finanztip, Verbraucherzentrale), as of June 2026. Actual tariffs depend on your location, usage and provider.
Legal basis: § 36 EnWG (basic supplier), § 2 GasGVV (contract conclusion), § 20 GasGVV (notice period), § 38 EnWG (replacement supply).