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Four things need setting up in a German home: electricity is your own contract (register within two weeks or you pay the most expensive default tariff), internet takes two to four weeks and standard contracts run 24 months, waste is separated into several bins with fixed collection days, and every household pays the Rundfunkbeitrag broadcasting fee regardless of whether it owns a TV. Address registration at the Buergeramt is normally due within two weeks — for SOFA-status personnel different rules apply, so ask the Housing Office first.
You have the keys and the lease is signed. What follows is the part nobody briefs you on — and it works differently from what you know.
Electricity is your contract, not the landlord’s
In Germany, the tenant signs directly with an electricity provider. If you do nothing, you are supplied by the local basic provider at the most expensive tariff, and it stays that way until you switch.
Take the meter reading on handover day, photograph it, and register within the first two weeks. Providers can be changed freely; comparison sites are common and legitimate.
Heating is usually different: if the building has central heating, it is billed through your Nebenkosten, not separately. Ask which system your home uses before you sign anything.
Internet takes longer than you expect
Plan for two to four weeks between order and activation — in rural areas sometimes longer. A technician appointment is often required, and it cannot always be scheduled quickly.
Standard contracts run for 24 months. If your assignment is shorter, ask about a shorter term or a clause for early termination on relocation. Some providers accommodate military orders; it is worth asking before you sign.
Waste separation is not optional
German households separate waste into several bins, and collection days differ by type and by community:
- Restmüll — general waste, usually the grey or black bin.
- Papier — paper and cardboard, blue.
- Gelber Sack / Gelbe Tonne — packaging, plastics, metal.
- Biomüll — food and garden waste, brown.
- Glass — usually to a container in the neighbourhood, separated by colour, and not on Sundays or after 8 p.m.
Your community issues a collection calendar. Put it on the fridge — bins put out on the wrong day are simply not emptied.
The Rundfunkbeitrag
Every household in Germany pays a broadcasting fee, regardless of whether anyone owns a television or radio. It arrives by post shortly after you register your address. It is a legal obligation, not a subscription you opted into, and it is charged per household — not per person.
Anmeldung — registering your address
Registering at the local Bürgeramt is normally required within two weeks of moving in, and your landlord provides a confirmation for it (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
For SOFA-status personnel the rules differ from those for civilians. Ask the Housing Office or the legal assistance office on base what applies to you — this is one of the points where general advice is worth nothing and your specific status decides.
One more thing: 230 volts
German outlets run at 230 volts. American appliances designed for 110 volts need a transformer, and some — anything with a motor or a clock — will not work properly even then. Coffee makers, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances are usually cheaper to buy locally than to convert.
Status September 2026, no warranty. Registration and status questions belong with the Housing Office or the legal assistance office.
Next: The complete PCS housing guide · Thinking of buying instead? · Your German lease explained · Heating and airing your home
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own electricity contract in Germany?
Yes — the tenant signs directly with a provider. If you do nothing, you are supplied by the local basic provider at the most expensive tariff. Take the meter reading on handover day, photograph it, and register within the first two weeks; providers can be changed freely.
How long does internet installation take in Germany?
Plan for two to four weeks between order and activation, in rural areas sometimes longer. Standard contracts run for 24 months — if your assignment is shorter, ask about a shorter term or an early-termination clause for relocation before you sign.
What is the Rundfunkbeitrag and do I have to pay it?
It is a broadcasting fee every household in Germany pays, regardless of whether anyone owns a television or radio. It is charged per household, not per person, and arrives by post shortly after you register your address. It is a legal obligation, not a subscription.
How does German waste separation work?
Households separate into several bins: Restmuell (general), Papier (paper, blue), Gelber Sack (packaging), Biomuell (food and garden waste). Glass goes to neighbourhood containers, separated by colour, not on Sundays or after 8 p.m. Your community issues a collection calendar — bins put out on the wrong day are simply not emptied.
Will my American appliances work in Germany?
German outlets run at 230 volts. Appliances designed for 110 volts need a transformer, and anything with a motor or a clock may not work properly even then. Coffee makers, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances are usually cheaper to buy locally than to convert.
