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Compare Internet Providers in Germany: DSL, Cable, Fiber

Looking for internet in Germany? Whether you need DSL, cable, or fiber, the comparison tool below checks real-time availability at your address. German telecom law (TKG) gives you strong consumer rights: your new provider handles the switch for you, and your connection can only be interrupted for a maximum of 1 working day. If you also need electricity or gas, we have comparisons for those too.

Average Monthly Cost

~42 EUR

Source: Verivox average, 2025

Fiber (FTTH) Coverage

42.9%

Bundesnetzagentur, Taetigkeitsbericht 2024/2025

Gigabit Coverage (all tech)

79%

Bundesnetzagentur, Breitbandatlas 2025

Check Availability at Your Address

Enter your address below to see which internet providers and technologies (DSL, cable, fiber) are available where you live.

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DSL vs Cable vs Fiber: Which Technology Do You Need?

Three main technologies deliver internet to German households. Each has trade-offs between speed, price, and availability. Here is what you need to know to pick the right one.

DSL (Telephone Line)

Up to 250 Mbit/s download

Most widely available

DSL runs over the existing copper telephone line. Most German addresses can get DSL with speeds between 16 and 250 Mbit/s (VDSL). Speed depends on distance from the nearest distribution box. DSL plans typically start around 30 EUR per month at list price. Good for 1-2 person households that stream in HD and browse.

Cable Internet (TV Cable)

Up to 1,000 Mbit/s download

Best speed/price ratio

Cable internet uses the TV coaxial network and reaches up to 1,000 Mbit/s. The main downside: you share bandwidth with neighbors on the same cable segment, so speeds can drop during peak evening hours. Available in many apartment buildings. Plans start around 25 EUR per month with promotional pricing.

Fiber (FTTH)

Up to 1,000 Mbit/s symmetric

Fastest and most reliable

Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) delivers the fastest and most stable connection. Upload and download speeds are equally fast (symmetric), which matters for video calls and large file transfers. Coverage is expanding: 42.9% of German households had FTTH access as of the Bundesnetzagentur 2024/2025 report. Plans start around 40 EUR per month.

Not sure which technology is available at your address? The comparison tool above checks all options automatically. You can also check the Bundesnetzagentur Breitbandatlas for official coverage data.

How to Switch Internet Providers in Germany

Switching is straightforward. German telecom law (TKG, reformed December 2021) protects you throughout the process. Your new provider does most of the work.

Compare providers and choose a plan

Use the comparison above to check availability at your address. Filter by speed, price, or contract length.

The new provider cancels your old contract for you (TKG Section 59). You do not need to contact your old provider yourself.

Connection switches over

By law, your internet can be interrupted for a maximum of 1 working day during the switch (TKG Section 59, Abs. 3). If it takes longer, you are entitled to compensation.

Good to know: Since December 2021, contracts auto-renew on a month-to-month basis after the initial term ends. No more automatic 12-month extensions. You can cancel with just 1 month notice after the minimum contract period (TKG Section 56, Abs. 3).

Your Rights as an Internet Customer in Germany

The Telekommunikationsgesetz (TKG), reformed in December 2021, gives internet customers in Germany strong protections. Here are the most important ones.

Price Increase Cancellation

If your provider raises the price, you can cancel within 3 months without fees (TKG Section 57).

Moving (Umzug)

If you move to an address where your provider has no coverage, you can cancel with 1 month notice (TKG Section 60).

Speed Not as Promised

If your actual speed is significantly below the advertised speed, you can reduce your monthly fee or cancel (TKG Section 57, Abs. 4). Document the issue with the Bundesnetzagentur speed test.

Router Freedom

You have the right to use any router you want. Your provider cannot force you to use their hardware (TKG Section 73, Routerfreiheit).

Full text of the TKG available at gesetze-im-internet.de.

Getting Internet as a Foreigner in Germany

Setting up internet as an expat involves a few extra steps. Here is what you need to know before signing a contract.

You need an Anmeldung (city registration)

Most providers require a German address for the contract. Setting up a German bank account, which you need for monthly payments (SEPA direct debit), typically requires an Anmeldung. If you have not registered yet, a prepaid mobile data SIM with a portable hotspot is a practical short-term solution.

SCHUFA credit check

Providers run a SCHUFA check before activating your contract. If you are new to Germany, you may not have a SCHUFA record yet. Some providers are more flexible than others. Prepaid or month-to-month options sometimes have lower SCHUFA requirements. Learn more about how to build your SCHUFA score.

English-language support

English support from German internet providers is limited. O2 offers an English-language hotline at +49 89 66 66 30081, available Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00. Telekom has a community forum where English posts are accepted. The ordering process through comparison portals is usually straightforward even without German skills.

Leaving Germany?

If you move abroad, you can cancel your contract with 1 month notice under TKG Section 60, as long as your provider cannot offer service at your new address. Send the cancellation in writing (Einschreiben recommended).

For more guides written for foreigners in Germany, see our SCHUFA score guide and English-speaking bank loans guide.

How Much Does Internet Cost in Germany?

Germans pay about 42 EUR per month on average for internet (Verivox, 2025). Actual costs depend on speed, technology, and whether you are on a promotional or regular rate.

Speed Tier	Promotional Price	Regular Price	Best For
50 Mbit/s (DSL)	~20-25 EUR/month	~30-40 EUR/month	1 person, browsing + HD streaming
100-250 Mbit/s	~25-30 EUR/month	~35-45 EUR/month	2-3 people, home office + streaming
500-1,000 Mbit/s	~30-40 EUR/month	~45-60 EUR/month	4+ people, 4K streaming + gaming

Prices are approximate ranges based on publicly available provider pricing as of early 2026. Promotional prices typically apply for the first 6-12 months of a 24-month contract. Use the comparison tool above for exact, up-to-date pricing at your address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What internet speed do I actually need?

It depends on how many people use the connection at the same time. A single person who streams and browses needs 50 Mbit/s. A household with 2 to 3 people streaming in HD and working from home should look at 100 to 250 Mbit/s. For 4K streaming, large downloads, or multiple video calls at once, 250 Mbit/s or more is realistic. These are download speeds. Upload speed matters if you work from home with video calls or upload large files.

How does switching internet providers work in Germany?

Your new provider handles the cancellation of your old contract for you (TKG Section 59). You just sign up with the new provider and they take care of the rest. By law, your internet can be interrupted for a maximum of 1 working day during the switch (TKG Section 59 Abs. 3). If the interruption lasts longer, you are entitled to compensation: 10 EUR or 20 percent of your monthly fee (whichever is higher) per additional day.

What is the difference between DSL, cable, and fiber?

DSL uses the telephone copper line and reaches up to 250 Mbit/s. Cable internet runs through the TV cable network and offers up to 1,000 Mbit/s, but speeds can drop during peak hours because you share bandwidth with neighbors. Fiber (FTTH) uses glass fiber directly to your home and delivers up to 1,000 Mbit/s symmetrically, meaning upload and download are equally fast. Fiber is the fastest and most reliable technology, but is currently available to about 43 percent of German households.

Can I cancel my internet contract early?

Yes, in certain situations. If your provider raises the price, you can cancel within 3 months without any fees (TKG Section 57). If you move to an address where your provider has no coverage, you can cancel with 1 month notice (TKG Section 60). If your actual speed is significantly lower than what was promised, you can reduce your monthly fee or cancel entirely after documenting the issue with the Bundesnetzagentur speed test (TKG Section 57 Abs. 4).

Do I need an Anmeldung to get internet in Germany?

Effectively yes. You need a German address for the contract, and most providers require a German bank account (IBAN) for monthly payments. Setting up a bank account typically requires an Anmeldung (city registration). Providers also run a SCHUFA credit check before activating your contract. If you have not registered yet, prepaid mobile data with a portable hotspot is a practical short-term solution.

What are my rights as an internet customer in Germany?

The Telekommunikationsgesetz (TKG), reformed in December 2021, gives you strong protections. After the initial contract term, your contract continues month to month and you can cancel with just 1 month notice. No more automatic 12-month renewals. You also have the right to use any router you want (Routerfreiheit, TKG Section 73). And if your speed is consistently below what was advertised, you can reduce your fee proportionally.

Which providers offer English customer support?

English support from German internet providers is limited. O2 offers an English-language hotline at +49 89 66 66 30081, available Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00. Telekom has a community forum where English posts are accepted. Vodafone occasionally provides English support via WhatsApp. For most providers, phone support is primarily in German. If English support is important to you, consider that the ordering process through comparison tools is usually straightforward even without German language skills.

How much does internet cost in Germany on average?

Germans pay about 42 EUR per month on average for internet according to Verivox. Basic DSL plans (50 Mbit/s) start around 30 to 40 EUR per month at list price, but promotional rates through comparison portals can bring this down to 17 to 25 EUR for the first months. Mid-range plans (100 to 250 Mbit/s) cost about 28 to 35 EUR effective monthly over 24 months. High-speed connections (500 to 1,000 Mbit/s) run between 40 and 50 EUR per month.

Ready to Compare Internet Providers?

Enter your address in the comparison tool above to see all available options, real-time prices, and current promotions at your location.

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