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Internet Provider Germany 2026: Compare DSL, Cable and Fibre
Picking an internet provider Germany wide is really two decisions: which technology reaches your address, and which contract you can live with for its full term. The comparison tool below checks real-time availability at your postcode. 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.
CheckAlle.de Editorial Team
On a budget? See our Cheap Internet Germany guide for the lowest-priced plans available at your address.
Key Facts About Internet in Germany
What decides your price
Promotional phase, regular rate, one-off charges and router rental, added up over the full minimum term.
What you can order
DSL reaches almost every address. Cable and fibre stop at very different streets, so availability is checked per address, not per city.
Rights that survive the contract
Twelve month option on request, one working day switching limit, router freedom, and a fee reduction when the line stays too slow.
Check Availability at Your Address
Enter your address below to see which internet providers and technologies (DSL, cable, fiber) are available where you live.
Which internet provider Germany technology do you need: DSL, cable or fibre?
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
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. Good for one or two person households that stream in HD and browse.
Cable Internet (TV Cable)
Up to 1,000 Mbit/s download
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, and often the cheapest fixed-price option where it exists.
Fiber (FTTH)
Up to 1,000 Mbit/s symmetric
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 but still uneven, and rollout happens street by street rather than city by city.
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.
Gigabit Fiber Internet in Germany: Coverage and Price
Fiber (FTTH) is the only technology offering symmetric gigabit speeds, up to 1,000 Mbit/s upload and download alike. Coverage is still catching up to demand and expands street by street, so two flats on the same road can have different options. The Bundesnetzagentur publishes current coverage data and consumer information at its telecommunications portal. If fibre is not available at your address, cable is usually the fastest fallback, and the comparison tool above checks both automatically.
How to switch internet provider Germany wide without losing your line
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.
Sign up with the new provider
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 service may not be interrupted for longer than one working day during the switch (TKG Section 59 (2) sentence 3). If it takes longer, Section 59 (4) entitles you to compensation from the provider you are leaving, for each further working day.
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, and that cancellation may not cost you anything (TKG Section 56 (3) and (4)).
Your rights with any internet provider Germany licenses
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.
Three rights every internet provider Germany licenses has to honour
A twelve month contract, on request
The maximum initial term for a consumer contract is 24 months, and that part is well known. The second sentence of Section 56 (1) is not: before the contract is concluded, providers are obliged to offer consumers a contract with an initial term of no more than twelve months. It is almost never on the landing page, and it is worth asking for if there is any chance you will move.
Compensation when a switch drags on
If the changeover leaves you offline for longer than one working day, Section 59 (4) entitles you to compensation from the provider you are leaving for every further working day, either a fixed amount or a share of your monthly fee, whichever is higher. Subsection 3 separately halves the connection charges the old provider may bill once the contract has ended. Neither happens automatically, so put the claim in writing.
A contract summary before you sign
Section 54 (3) requires providers to give consumers a clear, readable contract summary on the standard EU template before the contract is concluded. Term, the price once the promotion ends, and the notice period all sit on that one page. It is the information the advertisement leaves out, and you are entitled to it without asking twice.
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 publishes an English-language hotline number (089 6666 300 81); check the current opening hours on the O2 help site. The comparison form on this page is in German, and this guide explains it in English.
Leaving Germany?
TKG Section 60 covers changing your residence, within Germany or abroad. If your provider offers the same service at the new address it has to continue the contract on the same terms, and may charge for the move no more than for a new connection. If the service is not available there, you can terminate with one month notice, effective no earlier than your move-out date. Sending the cancellation in writing and keeping proof of delivery is a practical precaution, not a legal requirement.
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?
What you pay depends on the technology available at your address, the speed tier you pick, and above all on whether you are still inside the promotional phase. We keep the full cost breakdown on one page so it stays current in one place: see cheap internet in Germany for how two-phase pricing works and what to add before comparing.
| Speed Tier | Typical Technology | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 Mbit/s | DSL, sometimes entry level cable | One person, browsing and HD streaming |
| 100 to 250 Mbit/s | VDSL or cable | Two or three people, home office and streaming |
| 500 to 1,000 Mbit/s | Cable or fibre | Four or more people, 4K streaming and gaming |
Speed tiers are the ones providers actually sell; which of them you can order depends on the technology at your address. We deliberately do not print price ranges here, because they are out of date within weeks. The comparison tool above shows current pricing for your postcode.
Frequently Asked Questions
What internet speed do I actually need?
How does switching internet providers work in Germany?
What is the difference between DSL, cable, and fiber?
Can I cancel my internet contract early?
Do I need an Anmeldung to get internet in Germany?
What are my rights as an internet customer in Germany?
Which providers offer English customer support?
How much does internet cost in Germany on average?
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.