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Internet contract prep

German phrases for an internet contract

A practical sheet for the phone shop: monthly price, minimum term, cancellation rules, and the one question you should ask before signing.

By HalloKit Editorial Team · Published · Internally reviewed by HalloKit Editorial Team on

Interactive practice

Rehearse this conversation with choices, feedback, and grammar notes, not just the phrase sheet.

Preview scenario

Answer first

In short

A practical sheet for the phone shop: monthly price, minimum term, cancellation rules, and the one question you should ask before signing.

Have ready
Ausweis or passport; Meldebestätigung or proof of address
You may hear
Suchen Sie Internet für zu Hause? · Dieser Tarif kostet ... Euro im Monat.
Start with
Bevor ich abschließe: Wie lange ist die Mindestlaufzeit?

Checked against Federal Network Agency, Federal Network Agency, Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection. Full references appear below.

Bring

  • Ausweis or passport
  • Meldebestätigung or proof of address
  • Your new apartment address for installation

Expect

  • Suchen Sie Internet für zu Hause?
  • Dieser Tarif kostet ... Euro im Monat.
  • Die Mindestlaufzeit beträgt 24 Monate.
  • Wie lautet Ihre Adresse? Dann kann ich prüfen, welche Tarife verfügbar sind.
  • Fallen zusätzliche Anschlussgebühren an?
Useful phrases

Ask about the contract before you say yes

Consultants often lead with the monthly price. Mindestlaufzeit and Kündigung are the phrases that protect you.

  • Bevor ich abschließe: Wie lange ist die Mindestlaufzeit?

    Before I sign: how long is the minimum contract term?

  • Gibt es auch einen monatlich kündbaren Tarif?

    Is there also a plan that can be canceled monthly?

  • Fallen zusätzliche Anschlussgebühren an?

    Are there additional connection fees?

  • Könnten Sie mir das noch einmal zusammenfassen?

    Could you summarize that once more for me?

Rescue phrases
  • Was bedeutet Mindestlaufzeit?
  • Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
  • Ich möchte erst die Kündigungsbedingungen verstehen.
Preview scenario
Complete dialogue

Hear the full conversation before you rehearse it

Read both sides once, then cover the English and say your lines aloud. The real appointment may use different wording, but the sequence is predictable.

  1. 01

    Consultant

    Guten Tag. Suchen Sie Internet für zu Hause?

    Good day. Are you looking for internet at home?

  2. 02

    You

    Ja. Bevor ich abschließe: Wie lange ist die Mindestlaufzeit?

    Yes. Before I sign: how long is the minimum contract term?

  3. 03

    Consultant

    Die Mindestlaufzeit beträgt 24 Monate. Dieser Tarif kostet 39,99 Euro im Monat.

    The minimum term is 24 months. This plan costs 39.99 euros a month.

  4. 04

    You

    Gibt es auch einen monatlich kündbaren Tarif?

    Is there also a plan that can be canceled monthly?

  5. 05

    Consultant

    Ja, der ist etwas teurer. Wie lautet Ihre Adresse?

    Yes, that one is a bit more expensive. What is your address?

  6. 06

    You

    Fallen zusätzliche Anschlussgebühren an?

    Are there additional connection fees?

  7. 07

    Consultant

    Einmalig 69,99 Euro. Soll ich den Vertrag vorbereiten?

    A one-time 69.99 euros. Shall I prepare the contract?

  8. 08

    You

    Könnten Sie mir das noch einmal zusammenfassen?

    Could you summarize that once more for me?

  9. 09

    Consultant

    Mindestlaufzeit 24 Monate, 39,99 Euro, plus Anschlussgebühr.

    Minimum term 24 months, 39.99 euros, plus connection fee.

  10. 10

    You

    Ich möchte erst die Kündigungsbedingungen verstehen.

    I first want to understand the cancellation terms.

Useful vocabulary

Words you are likely to hear

Learn the noun with its article and notice the short grammar pattern attached to it.

die Mindestlaufzeit
minimum contract term
Ask this before you say ja. Often 24 Monate.
die Kündigung
cancellation
Kündigungsbedingungen are the rules for ending the contract.
die Anschlussgebühr
connection / setup fee
Fallen zusätzliche Anschlussgebühren an? catches one-off costs.
der Tarif
plan / rate
Dieser Tarif kostet … im Monat is the monthly price, not the whole contract.
monatlich kündbar
cancellable monthly
Use this if you do not want a 24-month lock-in.
abschließen
to sign / conclude a contract
Bevor ich abschließe signals you are not agreeing yet.
Common mistakes

Small fixes that make the conversation clearer

  • Hearing only the monthly price

    Ask about Mindestlaufzeit, Anschlussgebühren, and Kündigung before you sign.

  • Saying Ja too early

    Bevor ich abschließe … keeps the conversation in questions, not in agreement.

  • Skipping the summary

    Könnten Sie mir das noch einmal zusammenfassen? is the last check before a signature.

Common questions

FAQ

Short answers for the questions people ask before this appointment.

What should I ask before signing an internet contract in Germany?+

Ask Wie lange ist die Mindestlaufzeit? and whether zusätzliche Anschlussgebühren apply before agreeing.

How do I ask for a flexible contract in German?+

Use Gibt es auch einen monatlich kündbaren Tarif? to compare shorter-commitment options.

What does Mindestlaufzeit mean?+

It is the minimum contract length — often 24 months. You usually cannot cancel before that term ends without a fee.

What if the consultant speaks too fast?+

Ask Könnten Sie mir das noch einmal zusammenfassen? or Was bedeutet Mindestlaufzeit? before signing anything.

Take it with you

Print or save the offline pocket card with the key lines for appointment day.

Open pocket card
Keep preparing

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Sources and references

Authoritative references used to verify the preparation details in this guide. Local requirements can still differ.