Phone & internetDE
Phone & internet · Germany
Checked 2026-10-14

🐢 My internet is slower than promised: what can I do in Germany?

The short answer

If your internet is significantly, continuously or regularly slower than agreed, you may reduce your fee in proportion or cancel without notice. You prove it with the Bundesnetzagentur's free measurement, for fixed line and mobile (§ 57 (4) TKG).

Your contract states the speeds your provider promises. If the real speed falls clearly and repeatedly below them, you may be able to pay less or end the contract. A measurement with the official tool, where there is one, is the strongest proof.

Official source: bundesnetzagentur.de · Checked 2026-10-14

📜 The rules in Germany

What you can do

Reduce the fee in proportion to the shortfall, or cancel without notice if the provider cannot fix it. Show the measurement protocol; if you cannot agree, apply to the Schlichtungsstelle or go to court.

The details

  • Fixed line: run 30 measurements with the Breitbandmessung desktop app within 14 days, ten on each of three calendar days, with at least one day between measuring days. (bundesnetzagentur.de)
  • Fixed line shortfall: on two of three days you never reach 90% of the maximum speed, or you reach the normally available speed in fewer than 90% of measurements, or on two of three days speed drops below the minimum at least once. (bundesnetzagentur.de)
  • Mobile, since 20 April 2026: up to 30 measurements within 14 days, on up to five days and at most six a day, with the free app 'Nachweisverfahren Mobilfunk'. (bundesnetzagentur.de)
  • Mobile shortfall: on at least three of five measuring days you do not reach, even once, 25%, 15% or 10% of the contracted estimated maximum speed, depending on household density in your area. (bundesnetzagentur.de)
  • Claim the reduction or cancellation directly from your provider with the measurement protocol; for mobile it should not be older than four weeks. The law does not set the amount, and the Bundesnetzagentur does not enforce it. (bundesnetzagentur.de)

Breitbandmessung der Bundesnetzagentur

Free official speed test: desktop app for fixed lines and the mobile app; the measurement campaign gives you the protocol that proves a shortfall.

🔗 breitbandmessung.de
Official source: bundesnetzagentur.de · Checked 2026-10-14

Schlichtungsstelle Telekommunikation der Bundesnetzagentur

Handles cases where you can prove a lower speed but your provider refuses a reduction or extraordinary cancellation.

🔗 bundesnetzagentur.de
Official source: bundesnetzagentur.de · Checked 2026-10-14

Official speed test official

Breitbandmessung der Bundesnetzagentur

The measurement campaign with the desktop app (fixed line) or the app 'Nachweisverfahren Mobilfunk' is the Bundesnetzagentur's binding proof procedure. Its measurement protocol is what you show your provider to prove slow internet.

🔗 breitbandmessung.de
Official source: bundesnetzagentur.de · Checked 2026-10-14

🪜 Step by step

  1. Find the promised speedsYour contract summary lists the speeds, often as a maximum, a normally available and a minimum speed.
  2. Measure properlyUse a cable instead of Wi‑Fi, close other devices and measure several times on different days, with the official tool if there is one.
  3. Report it to the providerSend the results, ask for the problem to be fixed and keep a copy of everything you send and receive.
  4. Use your rightsIf nothing improves, ask for a lower price or to end the contract, and go to the dispute body if the provider refuses.

📇 Who to contact

Breitbandmessung der BundesnetzagenturFree official speed test: desktop app for fixed lines and the mobile app; the measurement campaign gives you the protocol that proves a shortfall.🔗 www.breitbandmessung.de
Schlichtungsstelle Telekommunikation der BundesnetzagenturHandles cases where you can prove a lower speed but your provider refuses a reduction or extraordinary cancellation.🔗 www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Vportal/Schlichtung/Schlichtung_TK/start.html
BundesnetzagenturSupervises phone and internet providers and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a provider that breaks the rules📞 0228 14 15 16🔗 www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Vportal/TK/start.html

Sponsor this page → One labelled block, €100 a month. Founding price €75 until 31 January 2027.

❓ Questions

Does a quick speed test in an app count?

It helps you spot a problem. As proof, a measurement made the way the regulator or your contract describes carries much more weight.

Does this apply to mobile internet too?

Mobile speeds change with place and network load, and the rules for mobile are often different. See the rules for Germany on this page.

Is slow Wi‑Fi the provider’s fault?

Not always. Walls, distance and old devices slow Wi‑Fi down. Measure with a cable first.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-10-14

🧭 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

✉️Write my letter: Leave a phone or internet contract · Complaints→📶Phone or internet contract · Who do I contact?→☎️Unwanted sales calls · Who do I contact?→📵Outage & compensation→📅Minimum term & notice→⚖️Free dispute resolution→🔄Switching provider→📲Keep your number→

More help in Germany

All other problems: who handles whatWho do I contact?100+ things that go wrong — money, housing, work, safety, health, papers, government — and the one desk in Germany that actually handles each: phone, site, and what to say when they pick up.Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 430,000 scam dossiers.