When I left my first apartment in Poland to move to Germany for new job, I made big mistake. I just closed door and left. After 2 months, I got bill for 120 euro electricity even though apartment was empty. I learned how to properly cut electricity before leaving, and I want to share for EuroJobLogis readers, because many workers change apartments when they change jobs.
In Europe, electricity doesn't stop when you leave. You have contract. If you don't cancel contract, company still charges you monthly. Also you must give meter reading. If you don't, they estimate and you pay more.
Here is what happened to me: I had contract with Tauron in Poland. Monthly I paid 80 PLN (around 19 euro). When I moved out in March, I didn't cancel contract. I thought landlord will do it. But landlord didn't. In May, I got email: You owe 240 PLN for March and April and May. I was in Germany already. I had to pay because contract was on my name. I learned lesson.
Now I do it correct way every time I change apartment for new job. Here is step by step:
Step 1: One month before you leave, tell your electricity provider you will move. In Germany, companies like http://e.ON, Vattenfall, you can do it online. You write "Ich ziehe um am 30.06.2026" means I move on 30 June. They will ask for new address and meter reading on last day.
Step 2: Two weeks before, tell your landlord you leave. By law, you need to give notice. In Poland, usually one month notice. In Germany, 3 months notice. Check your contract (Mietvertrag). If you don't give notice, you pay rent extra months. So tell early.
Step 3: On last day in apartment, take photo of electricity meter. The meter is usually in hallway or basement. It shows number like 1247 kWh. Take photo with date. This is proof how much you used. Send photo to electricity company and landlord.
Step 4: Turn off main switch? No, don't turn off main switch yourself if apartment building has many apartments. Just make sure all lights and appliances are off. But you must cancel contract, not cut power physically. Physical cut is done by company if landlord asks. For you, important is to cancel contract and give meter reading.
Step 5: Cancel internet and other contracts too. Internet contract in Germany needs 4 weeks notice. If you forget, you pay extra months.
Step 6: Clean apartment and take photos of everything. When I left my room in Wroclaw, I cleaned, took photos of walls, floor, bathroom. Landlord checked and gave me back my deposit 350 euro after 2 weeks. If you don't clean, landlord takes money from deposit for cleaning, sometimes 100 euro.
Why this is important for workers who change jobs?
Because in Europe, many workers move for better job. Example: you work in Wroclaw warehouse for 900 euro, you find better job in Poznan for 1200 euro. You move. If you don't properly leave old apartment, you pay double: new rent in Poznan + old electricity and maybe old rent if you didn't give notice. You lose money.
I have friend, Ahmed from Egypt, he worked in Gdansk, moved to Berlin for job. He didn't cancel electricity in Gdansk. After 4 months, company sent bill 180 euro to his old address, then to collection. Now his Schufa (credit score in Germany) is bad because of unpaid bill. That makes it hard to rent new apartment in Germany. So small mistake creates big problem.
For EuroJobLogis, job and housing are linked. When you change job, you often change housing. So you must know how to close housing correctly.
My checklist when I change job and apartment:
- 1 month before: Give notice to landlord (written, email or letter).
- 3 weeks before: Tell electricity company you move, give date.
- 1 week before: Tell internet company.
- Last day: Photo of meter, photo of apartment clean, give keys to landlord, get paper that you gave keys (protokół zdawczy in Poland, Wohnungsübergabeprotokoll in Germany).
- After move: Check bank, make sure no more payments for old apartment. Cancel standing order (Dauerauftrag).
How much does it cost if you don't do?
In Poland: Electricity monthly 80-120 PLN even if you don't use, plus maybe rent if notice not given: 1500 PLN.
In Germany: Electricity 50-80 euro per month, rent 600-900 euro if notice not given. So you can lose 1000 euro fast.
How to save money when leaving:
- Give notice on time, don't pay extra rent.
- Cancel electricity on exact day, not later.
- Take meter reading, so you pay only what you used, not estimate.
- Clean yourself, don't pay cleaning company.
In my second move from Leipzig to another apartment near new job, I did everything correct. I gave notice 3 months before (German law), told http://e.ON I move, gave meter reading 1845 kWh on last day. http://e.ON sent final bill: I used 45 kWh less than estimated, they gave me back 18 euro. So I saved money.
For workers coming from Egypt, this system is new. In Egypt, when you leave apartment, you just leave. In Europe, you have contracts. Always have contract and always cancel contract. Keep all papers, all emails.
If you are working seasonal job, like 3 months farm work in Poland, you still need to do same. Even if room is provided by employer, when you leave, ask employer "Is electricity on my name? Do I need to do something?" Usually company housing, company pays, but better ask.
I hope this helps you not pay extra bills when you change job and apartment. Remember: new job = new housing search, but also proper closing of old housing.