You have set the start of the tenancy and want the electricity at the new German flat to be assigned to the correct contract. At the same time there may still be a contract for the previous address. Organise both processes in advance. The well-known 24-hour rule describes a technical switching process; it does not replace an appropriate supply contract nor the review of existing contractual commitments.
What the 24-hour rule really changes
The Bundesnetzagentur has explained the accelerated technical electricity supplier switch since 6 June 2025. It is intended to be possible within 24 hours on working days. The authority explicitly makes clear that this does not shorten the civil-law termination conditions of an existing contract. [WECHSEL]
For your move this leads to two separate questions: When does the old contract end or how will it be handled? From when is the new delivery point actually assigned to your chosen supplier? A rapid technical assignment does not automatically answer the first question. Do not uncritically transfer this electricity rule to gas or another form of supply.
Clarify the contractual status before first consumption
According to the current consumer information from the Bundesnetzagentur, the desired electricity supply contract must be concluded before actual consumption. Without a prior agreement, in the case of a normal move-in with first electricity consumption, basic supply (Grundversorgung) will generally apply; a later-chosen different supply is only possible for the future. [WECHSEL]
Our practical recommendation is therefore not to leave the choice of supplier and the binding status until after moving in. A non-binding tariff calculation, a saved form and a confirmation of the start of supply are different steps. Record what actually exists and what is still being processed.
This does not imply a new general obligation to report every move several weeks in advance with extensive data. The Bundesnetzagentur expressly rejects such a claim derived from its determination and at the same time recommends timely contract organisation. [WECHSEL] What matters is your specific contract with correct data, not a blanket lead time adopted from someone else’s advertising messages.
Clearly assign the correct flat
Ask for the identification data that actually belong to your unit. The Bundesnetzagentur names the market location ID as a particularly reliable basis; in addition, for example address and meter number can be relevant for identification. [DATEN] A number from the neighbouring meter is not a usable substitute.
Store identification, flat, meter number and the underlying information together. If the assignment is unclear, enquire by the appropriate channel. Do not carry out any technical interventions on the meter to investigate the connection yourself. This is about contractual and data clarification, not an instruction for electrical work.
Sensitive contractual and meter data are deliberately transmitted to the entitled parties. Do not keep them openly as a photo in a public moving group. Our editorial recommendation is to clearly determine the recipient and purpose before forwarding.
Complete move-in and move-out separately
Note for both addresses the scheduled appointment, the actual reading and the confirmed further procedure. If the move-in is postponed, clarify the effect with the supplier; merely changing your private calendar does not inform them.
At the appropriate handover time record the meter number, reading and date and transmit the required information via the intended channel. A signed inventory report for the flat alone is not yet a supplier notification. Later check whether initial and final readings were credibly assigned on the relevant bills.
You can keep this documentation for different moments separately: hand-back of the old flat, first use of the new one and confirmed start of the new supply contract. These data do not have to fall on the same day in every case. Ambiguities are queried specifically, rather than simply comparing bills with different bases.
A hypothetical move-in without contract confusion
A person has the new flat from the 15th of a month but does not give up the old one until later. They check both contractual statuses and have the new delivery point correctly assigned. They have already chosen the new tariff; as long as the confirmation is still pending they do not treat the process as complete.
After a follow-up question they add the missing unique identifier. On moving in they document the appropriate meter reading and subsequently receive a comprehensible confirmation of the start of supply. The example does not promise any particular processing time. It shows what you can prepare yourself: suitable contracts, correct delivery points, separate appointments and a verifiable completion of each notification.