German for mobile and internet contracts
Phrases and vocabulary for signing contracts, changing plans, cancelling, and follow-up questions with mobile and internet providers.
Note the cancellation deadline in your calendar
Many contracts auto-renew for twelve months. Mark three months before expiry to cancel in time.
Cancel in writing, ideally by registered mail
A phone cancellation is often not accepted. Write a short letter and send it by registered mail.
Keep your number when switching providers
Tell the new provider that you want to keep your number. This is called number portability and is free.
No Schufa record: prepaid as a first step
New residents often have no Schufa record yet, which many providers require for a fixed-term contract. Start with a prepaid SIM card (e.g. from Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect or congstar), build up a Schufa score, and switch to a cheaper contract later.
Signing a new contract
You are in the shop comparing plans.
I need a contract with at least twenty gigabytes of data and EU roaming.
Which devices are available with it, and what does it cost in total per month?
Reporting an outage
Your internet has been down since the morning.
My internet has not been working since this morning. I have already restarted the router.
When can a technician come?
Cancelling a contract
You want to switch at the end of the term.
I would like to cancel my contract at the earliest possible date. When does it expire?
Could you send me a cancellation confirmation, please?
Disputing unknown extra charges on the bill
You have opened your monthly bill and see a 9.99 euro extra charge you do not recognise.
On my bill for this month there is an extra charge of 9.99 euros that I cannot identify. I have not booked any additional services. Could you please explain what this charge was billed for and credit it back if necessary?
The staff member checks the account and informs you that the charge was for an accidentally activated add-on package – they will cancel it and send a corrected bill.
How do I say I want to switch providers?
Say: I would like to switch providers. Please cancel my current contract at the earliest possible date.
How do I ask if a plan without a minimum term is available?
Ask: Do you have a plan without a minimum term, or one I can cancel monthly?
How do I dispute a bill that is too high?
Say: There are items on the bill I cannot identify. Could you itemise and check this for me, please?
What is the difference between prepaid and a fixed-term contract?
With prepaid (Prepaid-Karte) you pay in advance and have no minimum term – you can stop at any time. With a fixed-term contract (usually 12 or 24 months) you pay monthly by direct debit and often get more data for less money. For newcomers without a Schufa record, prepaid is often the easier starting point.
What happens when my data allowance runs out?
With most German plans, the internet speed is throttled to 64 Kbit/s or 1 Mbit/s (Drosselung) until the start of the next month. Calls and SMS remain normal. Some plans allow you to purchase additional data for a surcharge (Daten-Paket zukaufen).
How do I set up my DSL router at home?
The provider will send you the router by post with instructions. Connect the cable to the telephone socket (TAE socket), plug the router into the power and wait until all LEDs glow green. If the router does not come online, call the customer hotline and say: My router is not online even though I have connected everything.
Related Verbs
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These texts are for language learning and general orientation only and may be simplified or out of date — they are not legal, financial, medical, or tax advice. Some content is AI-generated. Please confirm important details with the responsible authority or a qualified professional.