Wegweiser Consumers · Your rights when buying and contracting Deutsch

💡 Energy suppliers, tariff changes and price increases

If your energy supplier raises prices, you can cancel without notice. Switching supplier takes three weeks at most.

Electricity Gas Price increase Special right of termination Switching supplier Tariff change Energy prices § 41 EnWG

In brief

Energy suppliers must announce price increases in good time. If prices rise, you may end the contract without a notice period.

  • Household customers must be informed at least one month before the change.
  • You can switch to another provider.
  • The switching process may take three weeks at most.

Compare tariffs before you cancel. Secure the new contract first.

Step by step

  1. Check the announcementDid the letter arrive in time? When does the new price apply?
  2. Compare tariffsUse independent comparisons and the Verbraucherzentrale.
  3. Conclude the new contractThe new provider usually arranges the cancellation.
  4. Get the cancellation confirmedThe old provider must confirm receipt in text form.

Deadlines

1 month
Announcement of price changes for household customers§ 41 Abs. 5 EnWG
without notice period
Cancellation upon a price/contract change, effective at the time of the change§ 41 Abs. 5 EnWG
3 weeks
Maximum duration of a supplier switch§ 20a Abs. 2 EnWG
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Price change and right to cancel: § 41 Abs. 5 EnWG.
  • From 1 January 2026: technical switch possible within 24 hours and on working days (§ 20a Abs. 2 EnWG).
  • Do not fall for door-to-door salespeople. Check contracts, withdraw if necessary.
  • Basic supply and default supply are not covered here.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Price change, § 41 Abs. 5 EnWG

The extract reads: "Price changes must be notified at least two weeks, for household customers at least one month, before the intended change takes effect." If the supplier exercises a right to change prices or other contract terms, the final consumer may cancel the contract without observing a notice period at the time the change takes effect. Contracts must contain summaries with the notice period and minimum contract term; receipt of the cancellation must be confirmed in text form.

Switching, § 20a EnWG

The new supplier must confirm without delay in text form whether and when it can supply. The switching procedure must not exceed three weeks from receipt of the registration for network use by the network operator. In addition: from 1 January 2026, technical switch within 24 hours and on working days (§ 20a Abs. 2 EnWG).

Who is responsible
  • Energy supplier
  • Verbraucherzentrale (energy advice)
  • Schlichtungsstelle Energie (energy arbitration body; not checked individually)
Further reading
Subscription traps, cancellation button and contract termsConsumer arbitration and court options

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Energy suppliers, tariff changes and price increases“?
If your energy supplier raises prices, you can cancel without notice. Switching supplier takes three weeks at most.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • 1 month: Announcement of price changes for household customers (§ 41 Abs. 5 EnWG)
  • without notice period: Cancellation upon a price/contract change, effective at the time of the change (§ 41 Abs. 5 EnWG)
  • 3 weeks: Maximum duration of a supplier switch (§ 20a Abs. 2 EnWG)
What should I do first?
  • Check the announcement: Did the letter arrive in time? When does the new price apply?
  • Compare tariffs: Use independent comparisons and the Verbraucherzentrale.
  • Conclude the new contract: The new provider usually arranges the cancellation.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Price change and right to cancel: § 41 Abs. 5 EnWG.
  • From 1 January 2026: technical switch possible within 24 hours and on working days (§ 20a Abs. 2 EnWG).
  • Do not fall for door-to-door salespeople. Check contracts, withdraw if necessary.
Evidence
  • gesetze-im-internet.de, § 41 EnWG (extract), retrieved 20 September 2026
  • gesetze-im-internet.de, § 20a EnWG, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Verbraucherzentrale, Beratungsübersicht (verbraucherzentrale.de/beratung), retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.