Quick answer
1. What is available at your address
Availability is decided by the building, not the city. Fibre may be on your street and not in your flat. Providers check availability by address, so run that check before comparing prices.
In many buildings a cable connection already exists and can be activated quickly, which is worth asking your landlord or the previous tenant about.
2. How long it takes
A straightforward activation on an existing line can take a couple of weeks. If the connection is new, or a technician has to come into the flat, several weeks is normal and appointments are not always offered at convenient times.
Order before you move if you can. Providers accept a future start date, and the alternative is weeks of tethering.
Good to know
3. Contract length and cancellation
Two-year terms are common, with a notice period before automatic renewal. Rules on cancellation have been tightened in consumer law, but the practical advice is unchanged: note the cancellation date in a calendar the day you sign.
If you move within Germany, providers usually transfer the contract to your new address rather than releasing you from it.
4. Frequently asked questions
Most providers want a German IBAN for direct debit. Opening a bank account early therefore unblocks more than it looks like it should.
Usually a router is included or rented with the contract. You are generally free to use your own compatible device instead.
Official information
Rules and amounts change. Always verify current requirements using official sources.
Related guides
Amounts and legal requirements can change. We verify this information against official sources and show when each figure was last checked, but always confirm important requirements with the responsible authority before you apply.
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