Discover the top Internet service providers in Germany with our guide. Compare and find the fastest and most affordable internet plans from industry leaders like Telekom, O2, 1&1, and Vodafone. Whether you’re seeking the best speeds or the most budget-friendly options, our comprehensive resource helps you make informed decisions for your connectivity needs.
Key takeaways
- DSL and Cable internet are the most common types of internet connections in Germany. Other internet connections in Germany are fiber optic, LTE/5G, and satellite.
- Telekom, Vodafone, 1&1, and O2 are Germany’s four major internet service providers.
- You can find internet plans from 16 Mbit/s to 1000 Mbit/s in Germany.
- The internet costs between 18 € and 80 € per month. The costs of an internet plan depend on the internet connection (DSL, cable, fiber optic, etc.) and internet speed.
- You can legally reduce the monthly subscription fee if your internet is slow.
This is how you do it
- You can compare the internet plans on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*.
- You can pick the best internet plan from the list of internet providers. You can apply directly on the comparison portal. The comparison portal takes care of the whole application process for you.
- You should change your internet provider every two years to save money.
- Get help from the Federal Network Agency if your internet is slow and the provider doesn’t fix it.
Table of contents
The need for good internet has risen drastically with the increased work-from-home and video streaming services.
Though Germany has a decent internet infrastructure, it’s not the best in the world. Most households in Germany get their internet via DSL and TV cable instead of fiber optic.
The German internet market has four major players – Telkom, Vodafone, 1&1, and O2 (Telefonica). However, there are also local internet providers like M-net in Munich, Pyur in Berlin, Net Cologne in Cologne, etc.
The local internet providers are specific to a region. So, you won’t be able to take your internet contract with you if you move to another city in Germany.
Which is the best internet provider in Germany?
Here are the biggest internet service providers in Germany.
- Telekom wears the crown based on the largest market share in Germany. It provides internet to 21 million customers [1] in Germany.
- Vodafone is the second-largest internet provider in Germany, with 10 million customers [2].
- 1&1 offers internet to 4.1 million customers [3].
- O2 is the other major player in the internet industry, with 2.37 million customers [4].
They all offer competitive internet plans. Ultimately, it all boils down to what internet connections (DSL, cable, etc.) and providers are available in your area.
You can only choose the best from the available options.
How do you find the best internet service providers in Germany?
There are three ways you can find different internet plans in Germany.
- Walk directly to a physical store of one of the major internet service providers.
- Go to the website of an internet provider.
- Compare the internet providers’ offers on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*.
We find comparing internet providers and their plans on comparison portals is the best way to find cheap high-speed internet plans. It’s because
- You can compare all the internet providers in one place.
- You can filter the plans based on your needs, like download speed, upload speed, etc.
- You get additional comparison portal discounts that make the plan even cheaper.
- Comparison portals send reminders to change your internet plan once the cheap tariff period ends.
- You can see the effective costs of the internet plan on the portals. The comparison portal adds all the discounts you’ll get to calculate the effective price.
- Comparison portals take care of the Internet application process.
Find the best internet plans in Germany
- Compare internet service providers and their offers.
- Filter the results based on your requirements.
- Apply for the best internet plan on the portal directly.
Be aware of the following things when signing the internet contract in Germany
- Minimum contract period: German internet providers usually bind you with a 24-month contract. It means you cannot cancel the contract before the minimum contract term.
- Different prices after 24 months: To attract new customers, internet providers in Germany offer cheaper plans in the first 24 months. They increase the internet costs after 24 months. Thus, it’s beneficial to switch internet service providers every two years. You can find cheap internet plans on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*.
- Router rental cost: If you don’t have your router, you can rent it from the internet provider. However, it increases the tariff cost by 5 to 6 € per month.
DSL, cable, fiber optic, LTE, satellite – which is the best type of internet connection in Germany?
When looking for internet providers in Germany, you must know the internet connection you have at home. Depending on the connection type, you can choose different internet plans.
There are five types of internet connection in Germany.
- DSL internet connection
- TV cable internet connection
- Fiber optic internet connection
- LTE / 5G home internet
- Satellite internet connection
Not all homes in Germany have all types of cables or internet connection available. Thus, you must choose the internet plans depending on the cable/connection type.
Here is a comparison between different types of internet connections in Germany.
DSL or Cable Internet connection
| DSL | TV cable | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Download Speed | 250 Mbit/s | 1000 Mbit/s |
| Maximum Upload Speed | 50 Mbit/s | 200 Mbit/s |
| Internet stability | Stable internet speed. However, many households can only achieve a download speed of 10 to 50 Mbit/s. | As you share the internet cable with your neighbors. The internet speed varies based on how many people are using the internet simultaneously. |
| Technology | Internet over the telephone line | Internet via cable |
| Cost | 33 € per month | 55 € per month |
| Major internet service providers in Germany | Telekom, Vodafone, 1&1, O2 | Vodafone, Eazy O2, Telekom |
| How many households have internet access via… | Nine out of ten households have a fast DSL connection (50 Mbit/s or more). | TV cable in two out of three households in Germany. |
Fiber optic or LTE or Satellite internet connection
| Fiber optic | LTE | Satellite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Download Speed | 1000 Mbit/s | 500 Mbit/s | 50 and 500 Mbit/s |
| Maximum Upload Speed | 200 Mbit/s | 50 Mbit/s | 10 and 500 Mbit/s |
| Internet stability | Stable high-speed internet | Usually stable internet speed. But the internet speed depends on your location. You can check the LTE and 5G availability and speed on your service provider’s website. eg: Telekom | Usually stable internet speed. |
| Technology | Fiberglass cables | Wireless broadband | Internet via satellites |
| Cost | 70 € per month | 65 € per month | 63 € per month |
| Major internet service providers in Germany | Major players: Telekom (market leader), 1&1, O2, VodafoneRegional players: Deutsche glasfaser, Net Cologne, M-net, EWE, Pyur, | Telekom, Congstar, Vodafone, Ortel Mobile, O2 (Telefónica) | Skydsl, Satsurf, Orbitcom, Novostream, Starlink |
| How many households have internet access via… | 13 million houses in Germany have access to fast internet via fiber optic. But only 3.4 million are active customers. | You can access the internet via LTE almost everywhere in Germany. | You can access the internet via satellite almost everywhere in Germany. |
As you can see from the table, “cable” and “fiber optic” offer the fastest internet in Germany. Also, “cable” is the cheapest internet connection in Germany.
You can find the best internet connection on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*.
How much does the internet cost in Germany?
The cost of the internet depends on the provider and the internet speed you choose. Internet speed includes both download and upload speed.
The table shows the cost of the cheapest internet plans in the area 12557 Berlin, Germany.
| DSL | Cable | Fiber optic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Mbit/s & 1 Mbit/s | 27.65 € till 24 months38 € from 25th month | ||
| 50 Mbit/s & 25 Mbit/s | 27.5 € till 24 months45 € from 25th month | 18 € till 24 months45 € from 25th month | |
| 100 Mbit/s & 50 Mbit/s | 31.4 € till 24 months48 € from 25th month | 20 € till 24 months50 € from 25th month | 44 € till 24 months50 € from 25th month |
| 250 Mbit/s & 50 Mbit/s | 33.7 € till 24 months53 € from 25th month | 22 € till 24 months55 € from 25th month | 48 € till 24 months55 € from 25th month |
| 1000 Mbit/s & 200 Mbit/s | 55 € till 24 months65 € from 25th month | 70 € till 24 months85 € from 25th month |
*internet connection costs as of Jan 2024.
| Download and Upload speed | LTE / 5G | Satellite |
|---|---|---|
| 50 Mbit/s & 10 Mbit/s | 33 € till 24 months43 € from 25th month | 61 € till 24 months49 € from 25th month |
| 500 Mbit/s & 50 Mbit/s | 67.5 € till 24 months65 € from 25th month | |
| 500 Mbit/s & 500 Mbit/s | 63 € till 24 months50 € from 25th month |
*internet connection costs as of Jan 2024.
As you can see in the table, “cable” internet plans are the cheapest internet plans in Germany. On the other hand, satellite internet plans are the most expensive.
You can find the best deal on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*.
How do you set up your internet in Germany?
- Find the best internet provider on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*.
- Apply directly on the portal for a new internet plan.
- Within a few days, you’ll receive the router from the post.
- Plug the router into a power socket.
- Connect the cable sent by the internet service provider to the internet cable socket at your home.
- That’s it, and you have access to high-speed internet in Germany.
NOTE: You can find the wifi name and password on the router. You don’t neccessarily have to change the router name and password. But you can if you want to.
How do you change the internet provider in Germany?
Changing your internet provider is straightforward. You can compare the internet options available on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*.
Once you find the cheapest and fastest internet, apply for the internet contract directly on the portal. The comparison portal will take care of canceling the contract with the current internet service provider.
NOTE: The minimum contract term with your existing internet provider must be over. Otherwise, you cannot cancel your current internet contract.
You should also contact your current internet provider before canceling the contract. You can negotiate a new internet contract with your provider.
Usually, internet service providers offer discounted plans to retain their customers.
Once you cancel the internet contract, you must return the router to your internet provider if you received it from them. Your internet provider will send the product return label that you can use to return the router.
In the meantime, you’ll get a new router from your new internet provider.
Change your internet provider or plan regularly to save money
The internet service providers in Germany always offer new discounts to attract new customers. Thus, looking around for a cheaper internet tariff every two years can save you a few hundred euros.
When you get an internet connection in Germany, you sign a 2-year contract. It means you cannot cancel your internet contract before 2 years.
Of course, you can take the internet contract with you when you move to a new city. But to do so, you must get an internet contract from one of the big internet providers in Germany.
You can compare the internet plans on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*.
Find the best internet plans in Germany
- Compare internet service providers and their offers.
- Filter the results based on your requirements.
- Apply for the best internet plan on the portal directly.
Read our guide on changing internet service providers in Germany to learn more.
Don’t expect much from internet service providers in Germany
- Poor customer service: Customer service of internet providers in Germany is very poor. You can also read about it on review portals like Trustpilot. So, expect a long waiting time. You can also email the internet provider, and they usually reply within a week.
- Language: Customer service, contracts, offers, etc are in German. If you don’t speak German, you’ll have difficulty resolving an issue with internet providers in Germany.
- Internet connection not available: Suppose you want a fiber optic internet connection. But your location doesn’t have a fiber optic cable. Then you are stuck with the internet connection available in your area.
- Promised vs. actual internet speed: The internet speed is usually less than the promised speed. But if the internet is too slow, you have the legal right to reduce the monthly fee. More on it later
- Long waiting times for onsite issue resolution: Suppose an onsite visit from a technician is required to get the internet up and running. Then, you should expect to wait at least a week.
What can you do if your internet is slow?
You have the following options if your internet is slow.
- Ask your internet provider to fix the issue.
- Reduce the internet subscription fee.
- Ask for help from the Federal Network Agency.
- Change the internet provider.
- Change the internet connection.
Here are the steps you should follow to take proper action.
- Ensure that the slow internet speed is not because of your computer or router.
- Measure your internet speed on the Federal Network Agency’s website. The results from the Federal network agency serve as official proof of the internet speed. No provider can object to the results.
- Ask your internet provider in writing to fix the internet speed. Give your internet provider a deadline (14 days) to fix the issue. You can use our sample letter for communication.
- Attach the results of the speed test from the Federal network agency.
Suppose your internet provider doesn’t resolve the issue. You can reduce the monthly subscription you pay for the internet.
If your internet provider doesn’t respond to your price reduction, get support from the Federal Network Agency or the consumer advice center.
If you still don’t have a fast internet connection, change your provider or the internet connection (DSL, Cable, etc.).
You can learn more in our guide on how to fix slow internet in Germany.
You can compare the internet plans and change your provider on comparison portals Check24* and Verivox*.
FAQ
What is a good internet speed in Germany?
You don’t necessarily need a 1000 Mbit/s internet plan. 50 Mbit/s internet speed fulfills most use cases, like video conferencing, 4k video streaming, etc.
- 16 Mbit/s plan will be enough for households who use the internet for browsing, video calls, HD video streaming, etc.
- 50 Mbit/s would be more than enough for families that use the internet heavily — for example, home office, 4k streaming, etc.
- 200 Mbit/s or more is for families with teenagers who like live streaming, playing multiplayer games online, etc.
You would rarely need an internet connection of 1000 Mbit/s unless you regularly upload large amounts of data. Content creators like Youtubers or live game streamers prefer the fastest internet connection.
Of course, you must have the right internet connection (DSL, Cable, Fiber optic, etc.) available at your location for high-speed internet.
Can you take your internet contract while moving to a new city in Germany?
Yes, you can take the current internet contract to your new home. Simply contact your internet service provider and inform them about the move.
If the same internet connection (DSL, Cable, Fiber option, etc.) is available at your new location, the migration of the internet service is smooth.
However, you must change your internet plan or the provider if you don’t have the same internet connection at your new location.
If you move to a new household, you can cancel your internet plan before the minimum contract term.
References
- https://www.stern.de/digital/online/telekom–1-1–deutsche-glasfaser–vodafone-im-test–wer-hat-das-beste-internet–32509052.html
- https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/275118/umfrage/anzahl-der-per-glasfaser-versorgten-haushalte-in-deutschland/
- https://www.telekom.com/de/konzern/konzern-profil/konzernprofil-624542
- https://www.vodafone.de/unternehmen/portrait.html
- https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/203023/umfrage/anzahl-der-dsl-kunden-von-o2-in-deutschland/
- https://www.finanztip.de/internetanbieter/
- https://www.finanztip.de/internetanbieter/internet-langsam/
