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Internet & Wi-Fi in a furnished apartment: What is actually included?
When you move into a furnished apartment in Aachen, the internet situation is often the first source of stress. Do you have to sign your own contract, how long does activation take, and what are the extra costs? This article explains what you need to watch out for regarding Wi-Fi in furnished apartments, the pitfalls of signing your own contracts, and how all-inclusive solutions like those at Guter Hirte work.
- In many furnished apartments, you have to arrange your own internet provider, which can take weeks to get up and running.
- Ask specifically before signing your lease: Is Wi-Fi included in the rent, what speed is guaranteed, and who is responsible if there are connection issues?
- All-inclusive rental models with high-speed Wi-Fi already included save you waiting time, technician appointments, and the worry of hidden extra costs.
- When switching providers or moving, there are legal deadlines and rights you should be aware of if you have your own contract.
Why is internet access even an issue when moving to Aachen?
For many people moving to Aachen, Wi-Fi seems like a minor detail—until the first day in your new home when neither the university portal nor your streaming services work. Especially if you are coming from abroad or moving at the start of the semester with little lead time, setting up your own internet connection is often the last thing you want to deal with. Standard rental apartments usually don't have an existing internet contract you can simply take over. You have to choose a provider, sign a contract, and wait for activation. Depending on the provider and local availability, this can take several weeks. During this time, you are stuck relying on your phone's hotspot or public Wi-Fi at the library. Furnished apartments designed specifically for students and young professionals often handle this differently, but it isn't the same everywhere. That’s why it’s worth taking a close look at your rental agreement before you sign, whether you are renting your apartment through a platform, an agency, or directly from a provider like Guter Hirte [1] .
What does 'Wi-Fi included' actually mean for furnished apartments?
The term 'Wi-Fi included' is used differently in listings and on landlord websites, which is exactly what makes it tricky. Sometimes it means there is a router in the apartment and you just need to connect to the network. Other times, it just means there is a connection point available that you have to activate and pay for yourself. When in doubt, ask specifically whether the monthly internet costs are already part of the rent or if you will receive a separate bill. The actual speed is also important: a connection with only a few Mbit/s is enough for emails, but not for video conferences with multiple people in the household or for HD online lectures. At Guter Hirte in Aachen-West, high-speed Wi-Fi with 100 Mbit/s is a standard feature in all 71 furnished apartments [1], so you are online from day one without needing your own contract. This is relevant because, especially at the start of the semester, many students are streaming lectures, uploading assignments, or making video calls to family abroad at the same time. For that, you need a stable base speed.
What costs might you face with your own internet contract?
If your apartment does not include an internet connection, you will have to sign a contract with a telecommunications provider yourself. In addition to the monthly base fee, there are often one-time costs for setup or a technician visit if the line needs to be activated. Many contracts run for 24 months with a fixed minimum term. This can be problematic if your semester abroad or internship is shorter than the contract period. The consumer advice center (Verbraucherzentrale) explicitly points out that when moving into your first apartment, you should carefully check the contract terms and notice periods required by a provider before you sign [3]. If you are moving within Germany, the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) states that you have certain rights when switching providers or moving existing contracts, such as regarding deadlines and special termination rights [2]If you aren't aware of this, you could end up paying twice: once for the old contract at your previous address and again for a new connection at your new home, all while waiting for the old line to be officially cancelled.
What is the process for setting up a contract if you have to choose your own provider?
If you are moving into a flat or apartment that does not include internet, we recommend following these steps. First, check which providers are actually available at your address. You can usually find this out via the provider's website or an availability checker. Next, compare plans not just by price, but also by the guaranteed minimum speed, as advertised maximum speeds are rarely achieved consistently in practice. Once you have signed the contract, expect a waiting period ranging from a few days to several weeks for the line to be activated, depending on the provider. During this transition, you can use a mobile data plan or public Wi-Fi in libraries and cafés. If you are moving from abroad, the application process can be further complicated by language barriers or the lack of a German bank account. It is therefore helpful to clarify in advance whether a SEPA direct debit mandate is required. If you want to avoid this entire process, you should specifically look for apartments with Wi-Fi already included, as is the case at Guten Hirten. [1].
What role does Wi-Fi play when choosing a furnished apartment?
When deciding between a shared flat, your own apartment, or a furnished apartment, people often think first about rent, location, and furniture. However, internet access is now just as essential as a kitchen or a bed. In student households with multiple people on the same network, a weak or unstable connection is quickly noticeable, whether you are streaming simultaneously, backing up large amounts of data to the cloud, or joining video calls for group projects. An apartment with high-speed Wi-Fi already included not only saves you the organizational hassle but also provides peace of mind regarding monthly costs, as there is no additional bill from an internet provider. At Guten Hirten, Wi-Fi is part of the all-inclusive rent, which covers the base rent, heating advances, and a flat-rate utility fee, so there is no risk of unexpected additional payments at the end of the year. [1]. This is particularly convenient for international students or young professionals who are still finding their way in a new city and do not want to deal with unfamiliar German telecommunications contracts. If you want to know how an apartment with all-inclusive rent differs from other types of housing, it is worth taking a look at our article on utility costs and deposits in Aachen.
What exactly should you look out for before signing?
Before signing a lease for a furnished apartment, you should go through a short but clear checklist. Ask about the exact speed of the Wi-Fi, the number of devices that can be used simultaneously without issues, and who to contact in the event of a technical problem. It is also relevant to know whether it is a shared network connection for the entire building or a dedicated connection per apartment, as this affects your actual user experience. The following table summarizes what you should generally look for when searching for a place to live, whether it is a standard rental apartment or a furnished one.
CriterionWhat to look for?Included serviceIs Wi-Fi part of the rent or is a separate contract required?SpeedWhat Mbit/s are guaranteed, not just advertised?Contract durationIs the minimum term suitable for your length of stay?Additional costsAre there one-time connection fees or technician costs?Technical supportWho is responsible if the connection fails?Waiting timeHow long does activation take after moving in?Example calculation: Suppose your own internet contract costs you a double-digit euro amount per month plus a one-time connection fee. Over the entire rental period, this adds up to several hundred euros in extra costs and administrative effort—expenses that are eliminated from the start in an apartment with included Wi-Fi. If you would like to find out about general living costs in Aachen in advance, you can find more details in our overview of living costs in Aachen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to arrange my own internet provider at Guten Hirten?
No, you don't have to. High-speed Wi-Fi with 100 Mbit/s is already included in all 71 furnished apartments at Guten Hirten, so you will be online from the day you move in without needing your own contract. [1].
What happens if I move into a standard rental apartment without Wi-Fi and need a contract quickly?
You will need to choose a provider and sign a contract yourself, which can take anywhere from several days to weeks to activate, depending on availability at your address. The Federal Network Agency provides information on your rights regarding switching providers and moving existing contracts, such as deadlines and special termination rights. [2].
Can I simply take my existing internet contract with me to my new apartment?
That depends on your current provider and the availability at your new location; an automatic transfer is not always possible. According to the consumer advice center, you should check early on whether your provider offers a relocation service or if it makes more sense to terminate your contract under special rights to avoid paying double. [3].
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