Most providers in Germany offer bundled packages that combine internet, mobile, and television services.
Fibre optic (Glasfaser) internet is Germany’s fastest and most modern option, available in many cities and larger towns. It offers blazing speeds for streaming, video calls, and remote work. In some areas, cable internet is more prevalent and offers decent speeds, especially when combined with TV. For those living outside urban centres, DSL remains the most widely available option — slower, but generally stable.
In more rural areas, residents often rely on mobile data (4G/LTE) or even satellite internet, where traditional infrastructure just doesn’t reach.
After registering at the Bürgeramt, you’ll soon receive a letter from Rundfunkbeitrag, Germany’s TV and radio licensing authority. This is a mandatory household fee — not a subscription — and it applies whether or not you watch traditional TV. You can read more about it here.
Before settling in for your favourite South African shows or international series, be aware of the rules around VPN use, streaming services, and downloading music. Germany has strict laws regarding copyright infringement, and streaming or downloading from the wrong source can result in hefty fines.
The Telecommunications Modernisation Act (TKMoG) came into effect on December 1, 2021. Thanks to this update:
All in all, it’s a friendlier landscape for consumers than it used to be — but it still pays to read the fine print before signing up.
Television Licence (der Rundfunkbeitrag/GEZ-Gebühr) Television Licenses The first thing you are likely to get in your new mailbox after registering at the Bürgeramt is a reminder to pay your TV & radio broadcasting fees. The 2024 fees are €18.36 per month and can be paid quarterly (€55.08) or €220.32 per yearThe fee is mandatory. Every household in Germany has to pay the fee even if you do not own a TV or radio. It does not
Most major providers in Germany offer bundled packages that combine home internet, mobile phone, landline, and even digital TV — all under one contract. These packages can often save you money, but always check what’s actually available at your address before signing anything. This is known as the Verfügbarkeitsprüfung (availability check), and it’s an essential step, especially in rural areas where certain speeds or services may not be offered.
Here are some of the most well-known service providers in Germany:
In Germany, TV options can look quite different from what you’re used to back home — but don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to stay entertained (and even catch some familiar faces on international channels).
Germany has a range of state-operated TV stations, including well-known names like ARD, ZDF, and Arte. These channels are publicly funded through the TV licence fee (Rundfunkbeitrag), and cover news, entertainment, sport, and cultural content. You can find a full list of these stations here.
What Channels You Get Depends on Your Provider
Your channel bouquet (i.e., which TV stations you receive) often depends on which internet or cable provider you choose. For example, if you’re with Vodafone, you can check their full digital TV channel lineup here.
Some providers offer international packages too, including English-language or sports channels.
Many providers now offer TV via the internet (instead of traditional cable or satellite), known as IPTV. Telekom’s MagentaTV, Vodafone’s GigaTV, and Waipu.tv are popular options — some offer live German channels plus the ability to add international content or stream on multiple devices.
These require separate subscriptions but offer international content and more flexibility, especially good for English-language programs.
Streaming is legal in Germany as long as the service provider follows the correct copyright rules. Torrenting is illegal in Germany. Be very careful about making illegal downloads! You can get hefty fines. This also applies to guests using your internet service.
In today’s digital age, streaming has become a predominant way to consume media content. However, the distinction between legal and illegal streaming can often be blurred.
Legal streaming in Germany involves accessing content through authorised services that have the right to distribute the content. These services often require a subscription fee or offer ad-supported content. Here are some key points about legal streaming:
Illegal streaming involves accessing content through unauthorised means, often without the consent of the copyright holder. This is a violation of intellectual property rights and German law. Here’s what you need to know about illegal streaming:
To avoid the pitfalls of illegal streaming, here are some tips:
You can read more about streaming on the European Consumer Centre Germany, and download their English Safer-Streaming-EN.pdf file
Germany uses specific broadcast standards for digital television. Your TV (or decoder) must support one of the following formats to receive local channels:
👉 If your TV doesn’t support DVB-C or DVB-T2, you won’t be able to receive German TV channels directly. In that case, you’ll need a set-top box (receiver) — similar to an M-Net decoder — which connects to your TV via HDMI.
You can find affordable DVB receivers online by searching for “DVB-C Receiver” or “DVB-T2 Receiver” on Amazon or at local electronics stores. Prices start at around €30 for basic models and go up to €200 for advanced features like recording or time-shifting.
| English | German |
|---|---|
| Mobile phone | das Handy |
| Landline | das Festnetz |
| Fiber optic | das Glasfaser |
| DSL line | die DSL-Leitung |
| Connection | der Anschluss |
| Router | der Router |
| SIM card | die SIM-Karte |
| Contract | der Vertrag |
| Contract term | die Vertragslaufzeit |
| Tariff / Rate | der Tarif |
| Prepaid | Prepaid / ohne Vertrag |
| International rate | der Auslandstarif |
| Cancellation notice | die Kündigungsfrist |
| Service provider | der Anbieter |
2025 Rugby Fixtures The 2025 Springboks rugby fixtures courtesy of Rugby365.com Six Nations The Six Nations can be viewed on More Than Sports TV The fixtures are listed on the Sixnationsrugby website Rugby Europe Championships The Rugby Europe championships will be broadcast on ProSieben Maxx, Joyn and ran.deInformation about the German Rugby team (some players with SA roots in the team) can be found on their website or their Facebook page Watching your favourite sports on Television can be a challenge in Germany. Using a VPN to watch the games on DSTV is very tempting, but we strongly advise against it. Germany has stringent copyright laws.Do not violate copyright laws by illegally downloading a film, music, or other web content. You can get heavy fines for doing so. You can read more about streaming on the European Consumer Centre Germany – and download their English Safer-Streaming-EN.pdf file What are the legal options Pubs and restaurants If you would like to watch it with others, consider visiting an Irish pub in your town, they usually have a television with a subscription to sports channels. It is a good idea to confirm with them what games they will be showing on that day. If you are close to Bielefeld, there is a South African Restaurant called Howzit, they show most of the major games. In Berlin, visit Outer Africa Pay channels WOW TV (old Sky Ticket) Dazn Willow TV for Cricket Amazon Prime Rugbypass.tv – we mention them here for reference only. According to their website “You can enjoy live and free access to all Rugby World Cup games on RugbyPass TV if you’re located in the following countries: Albania, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mongolia, Myanmar, Slovakia, South Korea, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Vietnam.” More than sports – this article in in German but shows how to legally watch the More than sports channel If you are lucky ZDF will show some major international games but it is in German. Apps RugbyPass for Android was discontinued but is available again. It was shortly renamed to Premier Sports Asia, it is not clear whether the service is legal in Germany. The Ultimate Rugby App gives live scores but no streaming Websites/Streaming We’ve gathered a list of platforms that appear to offer legal rugby streaming options.⚠️ Important: This information is provided for your convenience only. We do not verify or guarantee the legality of these services in Germany or elsewhere. 👉 You are fully responsible for checking the legality, licensing, and regional restrictions for each platform.👉 Always review each provider’s own terms, conditions, and disclaimers before streaming.🚫 No liability is accepted for your use of any third-party services listed here. Ran.de has some live streams, but mostly 7’S NZR+ – Sanzaarrugby.tv moved to NZR+. You can buy season or monthly passes. Make sure you know what games they will be broadcasting. According to NZR+/SANZAAR’s announcements, Germany is one of the eligible territories where their July international and Rugby Championship matches can be streamed using NZR+ or SANZAAR Pass URC TV – United Rugby Championships. According to their website, there are no limitations for Germany Youtube channels Rugby Deutschland Sport.de A great website with fixtures and results is Rugby365.co Radio Stations You can listen to most games on radio stations. Resources on the web Streamen – Article in German Streaming was ist illegal. Information about geoblocking You can read more about streaming, and how to identify illegal sites, on the European Consumer Centre Germany – you can download their English PDF here Safer-Streaming-EN IPTV what is legal and what not – article in German but can be easily translated TotalRugby website and Facebook Page Events Forums and Groups We have a sports Forum on our website.Registered users can also access the Rugby and cricket groups Related content
Television Licence (der Rundfunkbeitrag/GEZ-Gebühr) Television Licenses The first thing you are likely to get in your new mailbox after registering at the Bürgeramt is a reminder to pay your TV & radio broadcasting fees. The 2024 fees are €18.36 per month and can be paid quarterly (€55.08) or €220.32 per yearThe fee is mandatory. Every household in Germany has to pay the fee even if you do not own a TV or radio. It does not matter if you have subscriptions to Sky, Netflix, etc. You can apply for an exemption or a reduction.When you rent a place where it is included in the price (always ask!!!), or your flatmate is already paying, you have to let the GEZ know that someone else is paying on your behalf.You can find the form on this site You can also find more information on the official website, which is only available in German. Please inform yourself about broadcasting rules and copyrights governed by GEMA and the following warning about using VPN’s. VPN Warning!VPN’s are legal in Germany, but infringing on copyright and accessing content that should not be available can result in legal action. VPNs encrypt data and mask users’ IP addresses, making it harder for ISPs and authorities to track their online activities. However, when it comes to streaming content, especially music and videos, users should be aware of the copyright regulations enforced by organizations like GEMA (Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte) – English: Society for musical performing and mechanical reproduction rights. GEMA manages music rights in Germany and licenses the public performance and broadcasting of copyrighted works. VPN users should ensure they are not circumventing licensing agreements or engaging in illegal streaming, as GEMA and similar organizations actively monitor and enforce copyright laws to protect the rights of artists and content creators. Basically this means if you want to watch a South African program but it has no license to air in Germany, and GEMA does not earn their fees, it would be considered illegal to watch it in Germany.So although it is possible to watch DStv in Germany via a VPN, it is not recommended. Downloading Movies, Music and other media Watching movies via the Internet or downloading songs is often prohibited. Many online file-sharing services are illegal. German laws are strict about this. Please inform yourself about what is allowed and what the penalties are for not adhering to the rules Article from Deutsche Welle – Warning on illegal downloads Information from the European Consumer Centre can be found here German Television You can find a list of German state-operated television stations here. Your bouquet will depend on your internet service provider for example this list from Vodafone Pay Television Sky Sony, this channel can also be added to your Amazon prime account Disney Streaming Services In today’s digital age, streaming has become a predominant way to consume media content. However, the distinction between legal and illegal streaming can often be blurred. Legal streaming in Germany involves accessing content through authorized services that have the right to distribute the content. These services often require a subscription fee or offer ad-supported content. Here are some key points about legal streaming: Licensed Platforms: Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and local services like Joyn and Maxdome are fully licensed to distribute their content in Germany. Subscribing to these services ensures you are accessing content legally. Public Broadcasting: Germany has a robust public broadcasting system. Channels like ARD, ZDF, and their associated streaming services (e.g., ARD Mediathek, ZDF Mediathek) offer a wide range of content legally and often for free. Subscription and Pay-Per-View Services: Services such as Sky Ticket, DAZN, and Apple TV+ operate on a subscription or pay-per-view basis, providing access to a wide array of sports, movies, and TV shows legally. Ad-Supported Platforms: Platforms like YouTube offer legal streaming of a vast amount of content, provided that the content is uploaded by authorized channels or individuals who own the rights. Illegal Streaming: The Risks and Consequences Illegal streaming involves accessing content through unauthorized means, often without the consent of the copyright holder. This is a violation of intellectual property rights and German law. Here’s what you need to know about illegal streaming: Pirate Websites: Websites that offer free streaming of movies, TV shows, and sports events without proper licensing are illegal. Examples include sites like Kinox.to and Movie4k.to. Torrenting and Peer-to-Peer Sharing: Using torrents or peer-to-peer networks to download or stream copyrighted content without permission is illegal in Germany. Popular platforms like The Pirate Bay and other similar services are not legal sources. Consequences: Engaging in illegal streaming can lead to serious consequences. German law is stringent on copyright infringement. Users caught streaming illegally can face hefty fines and even legal action. Monitoring and Enforcement: Internet service providers (ISPs) and copyright enforcement agencies in Germany monitor illegal streaming activities. They can track IP addresses involved in illegal streaming and take legal action against offenders. How to Stay Safe and Legal To avoid the pitfalls of illegal streaming, here are some tips: Use Legal Streaming Services: Stick to reputable streaming services that have the necessary licenses. This not only ensures you’re on the right side of the law but also supports content creators. Be Wary of Free Streaming Sites: If a site offers the latest movies or TV shows for free, it’s likely illegal. Always check the legitimacy of the streaming platform. Look for Secure Sites: Legal streaming sites usually have secure, HTTPS websites. Be cautious of sites with poor design, numerous pop-ups, or requests for unnecessary permissions. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest laws and regulations regarding streaming. Germany frequently updates its policies to combat piracy, and being aware of these changes can help you avoid legal trouble. You can read more about streaming on the European Consumer Centre Germany – and download their English Safer-Streaming-EN.pdf file Related content Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email
Your best option to legally watch South African products is to get a subscription to Showmax or Netflix. Showmax Unfortunately Showmax will only be available outside of South Africa until 1 December 2023. We will keep you updated if there are any alternatives Netflix You might find some South African content VPNs and DStv Although it is possible to watch DStv in Germany, it is not recommended.Please read the warning below. If you have to use a VPN to watch something you can be pretty sure it was not licenced in Germany. Warning!! VPNs are legal in Germany — but what you do with them can still get you in trouble. If you use a VPN to access content that’s not licensed for distribution in Germany, such as a South African TV program, you could be infringing copyright law, regardless of whether you’re downloading or just streaming. While GEMA (the Gesellschaft für musikalische Aufführungs- und mechanische Vervielfältigungsrechte) oversees music rights and royalties in Germany, film and TV licensing falls under other regulations and contracts. If a provider hasn’t secured the proper rights to broadcast in Germany, and you access it anyway, that’s considered a violation — even if it’s just passive streaming.So while your VPN might open the door, it doesn’t make it legal to step through. ⚖️ The Problem Isn’t the VPN. It’s the Licensing. Here’s the real issue:If a broadcaster (like SuperSport or SABC) hasn’t bought the rights to stream their sports content in Germany, then watching it here — even via VPN — can violate copyright law. Why? Because content like live sports is licensed by territory. South African broadcasters usually only buy rights to show games in South Africa. They’re not allowed to stream it internationally unless they pay for those rights, and that can get expensive. If you use a VPN to “pretend” you’re in SA and stream the game anyway, that’s a form of unauthorised access. Under German and EU copyright law, that could be considered copyright infringement — even if you’re just watching and not downloading anything. Info on the web Streamen – Article in German Act on Copyright and Related Rights(Urheberrechtsgesetz – UrhG) Streaming was ist illegal. Information about geoblocking You can read more about streaming, and how to identify illegal sites, on the European Consumer Centre Germany – you can download their English PDF here Safer-Streaming-EN European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling of April 2017 clarified that knowingly streaming from an illegal source is a copyright violation Article from Deutsche Welle – Warning on illegal downloads Information from the European Consumer Centre can be found here IPTV what is legal and what not – Article in German but can be easily translated 📌 Bottom Line: In Germany, ignorance is not bliss when it comes to streaming. The country has some of the strictest copyright enforcement in Europe. Watch smart, and stick to legit sources — or you may end up paying far more than the price of a Netflix subscription. Related content Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email
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