This study aims to evaluate the energy transition pathway of the German government based on the public opinion and points out possible adjustments. The assessment of the public opinion is based on a two-step nationwide representative telephone survey. In the first survey, conducted between October and November 2013, several acceptance factors are evaluated in terms of importance. Based on the first survey, the second survey, conducted between February and March 2014, analyses selected acceptance factors in more detail and determine the willingness-to-pay for a transition pathway. As the findings of the first survey show, environmental factors, like the reduction of globally and locally effective emissions, are rated as considerably important by the German population. Whereas economic factors, like the impact on employment or lower energy cost for the economy, are emphasized with minor importance. The second survey determines a preference for a more sustainable transition of the German energy system, this is, a stronger reduction of emissions as well as a stronger development of renewable energies. Besides the phase-out of nuclear power, a considerable majority also demand the phase-out of lignite power. The support for a more sustainable transition pathway is also pointed out by a higher willingness to pay. Nonetheless, the overall results indicate that the public opinion is basically in line with the transition pathway of the German government. Further investigation is needed to determine whether a negative attitude with respect to further usage of lignite power stabilizes in the future. This is especially an issue if challenges of higher energy prices as well as of security of supply occur.