🔌 Energy debt and power cut-offs

Before electricity or gas may be cut off, suppliers must comply with tight statutory deadlines and notification duties. What those affected should know.

power cut-off energy debt supply disconnection default supply (Grundversorgung) payment in instalments

In brief

If electricity or gas bills go unpaid, the default supplier may not simply cut off the supply. Tight statutory conditions apply: a written demand for payment, a prior written threat of disconnection setting a deadline, and a separate notice of the specific disconnection date. A disconnection is also inadmissible if it is out of proportion to the seriousness of the breach of duty or if you make it credible that an instalment plan can be kept.

Step by step

Do not ignore a demand for paymentReact immediately to the first reminder, even if the full amount cannot be paid at once.
Offer instalments or an avoidance agreementUnder the regulation, default suppliers must propose to the customer an agreement to avoid the interruption before a disconnection; actively take up this offer or make a proposal of your own.
Check the deadlines of the disconnection threatAt least four full weeks must pass between the written threat and the disconnection; the specific disconnection date must also be announced separately at least eight working days in advance.
Invoke hardship or disproportionalityPoint out special hardships in writing (e.g. need for care, small children, illness) – a disproportionate disconnection is inadmissible.
Get advice straight away and, if necessary, involve the Jobcenter/SozialamtEnergy debts can be taken over as a loan if homelessness or a comparable emergency would otherwise threaten – involve debt counselling and the Sozialamt early.

Deadlines

4 weeks

Minimum period between the written threat of disconnection and the interruption of supply§ 19 Abs. 2 StromGVV/GasGVV

8 working days

The specific date of the supply interruption must also be announced separately at least eight working days in advance§ 19 Abs. 4 StromGVV/GasGVV

Watch out – common mistakes

A disconnection without a prior written threat with the correct deadline and without a separate notice of the disconnection date is invalid – both must be complied with cumulatively.
A disconnection is inadmissible if its consequences are out of proportion to the breach of duty (§ 19 Abs. 2 Satz 2 StromGVV/GasGVV), for example in the case of serious illness in the household – but this must be explained to the supplier.
If you only speak to the supplier by phone, also have agreements (instalments, extension of deadline) confirmed in writing.
Energy debts should not be hidden until the disconnection threatens: under certain conditions the Jobcenter and Sozialamt can grant a loan to take over the debt if you react in time.

In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Legal basis of supply disconnection

For household customers on default supply, the Stromgrundversorgungsverordnung (StromGVV) and the Gasgrundversorgungsverordnung (GasGVV) regulate the procedure for interrupting supply because of late payment. Under § 19 Abs. 2 Satz 1 StromGVV/GasGVV, the default supplier may interrupt the default supply four weeks after the threat if, despite a reminder, the customer is in arrears with payments of at least €100 (or a threshold named in the regulation). Under § 19 Abs. 2 Satz 2, the interruption is inadmissible if its consequences are out of proportion to the seriousness of the breach of duty or if the customer makes it credible that there is a sufficient prospect of fulfilling the payment obligation.

Two-stage notification procedure

The supplier must first threaten disconnection in writing and set a deadline of at least four full weeks before the disconnection; it must also announce the specific date of the interruption separately at least eight working days in advance and offer the customer an avoidance agreement (e.g. payment in instalments). Both deadlines must be complied with cumulatively; a shortened deadline or a missing second notice makes the disconnection invalid.

Interaction with basic income support

If energy debts threaten loss of the ability to keep a home or a comparable emergency, takeover of the debts as a loan by the Jobcenter (§ 22 Abs. 8 SGB II, correspondingly in SGB XII) may be considered – the conditions are similar to those for rent arrears (see article "Housing costs and rent arrears").

Who is responsible

Default supplier (electricity/gas provider)
Jobcenter or Sozialamt (loan where an emergency threatens)
Debt counselling (Schuldnerberatung)

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Energy debt and power cut-offs“?

Before electricity or gas may be cut off, suppliers must comply with tight statutory deadlines and notification duties. What those affected should know.

Which deadlines and figures matter?

4 weeks: Minimum period between the written threat of disconnection and the interruption of supply (§ 19 Abs. 2 StromGVV/GasGVV)
8 working days: The specific date of the supply interruption must also be announced separately at least eight working days in advance (§ 19 Abs. 4 StromGVV/GasGVV)

What should I do first?

Do not ignore a demand for payment: React immediately to the first reminder, even if the full amount cannot be paid at once.
Offer instalments or an avoidance agreement: Under the regulation, default suppliers must propose to the customer an agreement to avoid the interruption before a disconnection; actively take up this offer or make a proposal of your own.
Check the deadlines of the disconnection threat: At least four full weeks must pass between the written threat and the disconnection; the specific disconnection date must also be announced separately at least eight working days in advance.

What do I need to watch out for?

A disconnection without a prior written threat with the correct deadline and without a separate notice of the disconnection date is invalid – both must be complied with cumulatively.
A disconnection is inadmissible if its consequences are out of proportion to the breach of duty (§ 19 Abs. 2 Satz 2 StromGVV/GasGVV), for example in the case of serious illness in the household – but this must be explained to the supplier.
If you only speak to the supplier by phone, also have agreements (instalments, extension of deadline) confirmed in writing.

Evidence

§ 19 StromGVV; § 19 GasGVV (gesetze-im-internet.de)
§ 22 Abs. 8 SGB II (gesetze-im-internet.de)

As of

As of September 2026. · Sources and method

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