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Electricity & gas · Germany
Checked 2026-09-27

🚪 I signed an energy contract at the door or by phone in Germany. Can I cancel?

The short answer

Contracts made at the door, by phone or online usually come with a cooling-off period in which you can cancel without giving a reason.

📜 The rules in Germany

Cooling-off period

Contracts made at the door, by phone, post or online can be withdrawn within 14 days without reason. Energy contracts with households outside default supply must be in text form (letter, e-mail, SMS); a purely verbal phone deal is invalid.

Official source: bundesnetzagentur.de · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Find the dateThe period usually starts when the contract is made. Look at the confirmation you received.
  2. Cancel in writingSend a clear cancellation by e-mail or letter within the period and keep proof.
  3. Check your old contractIf a switch had already started, tell your old supplier you are staying and check that no exit fee was charged.
  4. Report pushy sellingMisleading or aggressive sales can be reported to the consumer organisation or the regulator below.

📇 Who to contact

VerbraucherzentralenIndependent advice for consumersFor advice, template letters and a second opinion🔗 www.verbraucherzentrale.de
Schlichtungsstelle Energie e. V.Settles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint📞 030 / 27 57 240-0🔗 www.schlichtungsstelle-energie.de
Bundesnetzagentur (Verbraucherservice Energie)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 0228 14 15 16🔗 www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Vportal/Energie/start.html

❓ Questions

Do I need a reason?

No. During the cooling-off period you can cancel without a reason.

What if I already used energy?

You may have to pay for energy delivered at your request during the period, but not a penalty.

They said they were from my current supplier. Is that allowed?

No. Pretending to be your supplier is misleading. Report it.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→

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