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Electricity & gas · Germany
Checked 2026-09-27

🔌 Power cut in Germany: who do I call?

The short answer

For a power cut you call the grid operator, not the company that bills you. The grid operator owns the cables and repairs faults.

📜 The rules in Germany

Power cut

For a power cut, call the fault number (Störungsnummer) of your local grid operator (Netzbetreiber), not your supplier. Germany has over 800 grid operators; the number is on the operator's website and often on your bill.

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

🪜 Step by step

  1. Check your fuse boxIf only your home is dark, check the main switch and fuses first. If the neighbours are dark too, it is a grid fault.
  2. Report it to the grid operatorUse the fault number or outage map of your grid operator below.
  3. Stay safeSwitch off sensitive appliances, keep the fridge closed and never touch fallen cables: call 112.
  4. Ask about compensationLong outages can give a right to compensation. See the rules for Germany below.

📇 Who to contact

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

Why not call my supplier?

The supplier only sells the energy. The grid operator fixes the network.

How do I find my grid operator?

It is on your bill and depends on where you live. See the list on this page.

Will I get compensation?

Only for long outages and depending on national rules. The details for Germany are on this page.

📎 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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