Electricity price statistics

Data extracted in October 2023.

Planned article update: 25 April 2024.

Highlights

Household electricity prices increased in all except five EU Member States in the first half of 2023, compared with the first half of 2022.

In the first half of 2023, household electricity prices in the EU showed the sharpest increase in the Netherlands (953 %). The largest decrease was observed in Spain (-41 %) driven by alleviating measures on taxes, fees and charges.

In the first half of 2023, Ireland and Luxembourg gave allowances with the most impact to household consumers.

Non-household electricity prices in the EU were highest in Romania (€0.33 per KWh) and lowest in Finland (€0.095 per KWh) in the first half of 2023.

Electricity prices for household consumers, first half 2023

This article highlights the development of electricity prices both for household and non-household consumers within the European Union (EU). When available, it also includes price data from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.

The price of energy in the EU depends on a range of different supply and demand conditions, including the geopolitical situation, the national energy mix, import diversification, network costs, environmental protection costs, severe weather conditions, or levels of excise and taxation. Note that the prices presented in this article include taxes, levies and VAT for household consumers, but exclude refundable taxes and levies for non-household consumers.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

Full article

Electricity prices for household consumers

Highest electricity prices in the Netherlands and Belgium

For household consumers in the EU (defined for the purpose of this article as medium-sized consumers with an annual consumption between 2 500 Kilowatt hours (KWh) and 5 000 KWh), electricity prices in the first half of 2023 were highest in the Netherlands (€0.4750 per KWh), Belgium (€0.4350 per KWh), Romania (€0.4199 per KWh) and Germany (€0.4125 per KWh) - see Figure 1. The lowest prices were observed in Bulgaria (€0.1137 per KWh), Hungary (€0.1161 per KWh) and Malta (€0.1256 per KWh). For Dutch household consumers, the per KWh cost was 64 % above the EU average price, whereas households in Bulgaria, Hungary and Malta paid less than half the price than the EU average.

The EU average price in the first half of 2023 — a weighted average using the most recent (2022) data for electricity by household consumers — was €0.2890 per KWh.

Figure 1: Electricity prices for household consumers, first half 2023
(€ per KWh)
Source: Eurostat (nrg_pc_204)

Figure 2 depicts the development of electricity prices for household consumers in the EU since the first half of 2008. The price without taxes, i.e., the energy, supply and network, developed very close to the overall inflation rate (HICP) until the first half of 2021 when it was €0.1341 per KWh, being relatively stable between 2016 and 2020. After a sharp increase during both semesters of 2022, the price excluding taxes demonstrated a small decrease in the first half of 2023, figuring at €0.2335 per KWh. However, the electricity price including taxes for the households further increased in the first half of 2023 reaching the highest recorded price of €0.2890 per KWh. The percentage of taxes in the total price increased by almost 10 percentage points (pp) from 31.2 % in the first half of 2008 to 41.0 % in the second half of 2019, it substantially decreased until the second half of 2022 (15.5 %), but showed a moderate increase in the first semester 2023 (19.2%). These figures reflect the impact of the measures to alleviate EU household electricity costs in the previous year and the gradual reduction of those measures in the first semester 2023.

For the prices adjusted for inflation, the total price for household consumers, i.e., including all taxes, was €0.2232 per KWh in the first half of 2023 compared with €0.1604 per KWh in the first half of 2008. This price is lower than the actual price including taxes (€0.2890 per KWh), showing that the increase in electricity prices is higher than the overall inflation rate.

Figure 2: Development of electricity prices for household consumers, 2008-2023
(€ per KWh)
Source: Eurostat (nrg_pc_204)

Weight of taxes and levies differs greatly between EU Member States

Figure 3 shows the proportion of taxes and levies in the overall electricity retail price for household consumers. In the EU, the share of taxes in the first half of 2023 was the least in Ireland, where the values were in fact negative (-90.4 %). Ireland gave allowances and VAT reductions to household consumers. Negative taxes were also observed in Luxembourg, Portugal, Austria, the Netherlands and Lithuania. The relative share of taxes was highest in Poland, making up 48.6 % of the total price. The average share of total taxes and levies at EU level was 19.2 %, an increase of 3.7 percentage points (pp) when compared with the second half of 2022, mostly driven by reduction of subsidies and allowances. The VAT in the EU represented 14 % of the total price. It ranged from 4.8 % in Malta to 21.3 % in Hungary.

Figure 3: Share of taxes and levies paid by household consumers for electricity, first half 2023
(%)
Source: Eurostat (nrg_pc_204)

Largest increase in electricity prices in the Netherlands, Lithuania and Romania

Figure 4 shows the percentage change in electricity prices for household consumers including all taxes and VAT from the first half of 2023 compared with the first half of 2022. For comparison purposes the national currencies were used. For energy prices, comparing year on year instead of semester on semester is most meaningful to avoid seasonal effects. However, these seasonal effects are less prominent in the recent semesters. Year on year, the total prices increased in most of the EU Member States, with exception of five. The largest increase was observed in the Netherlands (953.2 %), followed by Lithuania (87.8 %) and Romania (77.3 %). Energy and supply costs, as well as the reduction of subsidies and allowances drove the increase. Spain (-40.6 %) and Denmark (-16.3 %) were the two EU countries to record the largest decreases.

Figure 4: Change in electricity prices for household consumers compared with previous year's same semester, first half 2023
(%)
Source: Eurostat (nrg_pc_204)

Electricity prices in purchasing power standard

In Map 1, electricity prices for household consumers in the first half of 2023 are shown in purchasing power standard (PPS), grouping the available countries in six categories, with electricity price categories ranging from above 26.9 PPS per 100 KWh to below 15.3 PPS per 100 KWh. The final burden for the consumer depends on their own consumption. Electricity prices based on PPS were highest in Romania (76) and Cyprus (41). The lowest electricity prices based on the purchasing power standard were observed in Malta (14.2) and Luxembourg (15.5).

Map 1: Electricity prices for household consumers, first half 2023
(PPS per 100 KWh)
Source: Eurostat (nrg_pc_204)

Share of transmission and distribution costs for household electricity consumers

Figure 5 presents the share of transmission and distribution costs for household electricity consumers. Transmission and distribution costs are only reported once a year, at the end of the second semester. Distribution costs account for the largest share by far, when compared with the transmission costs. This is normal for all types of networks including the electricity system.

Transmission network is used for transmitting bulk amounts of energy over long distances. The distribution network is usually the part of the system where the consumers are connected. The distribution network is denser than the transmission network, therefore, its share in the costs is expected to be higher.

Countries with lower population density require a more extensive transmission network to meet their needs. Its costs are higher when compared with the countries with higher population density. Smaller, densely populated countries use mostly their own distribution network.

In 2022, Luxembourg (100.0 %), Slovakia (91.6 %) and Finland (90.0 %) had the highest shares of distribution costs. On the other hand, Hungary (41.1 %), Lithuania (36 %) and Ireland (32 %) had the highest shares of transmission costs in 2022.

Figure 5: Share of transmission and distribution costs paid by household consumers for electricity, 2022
(%)
Source: non-published Eurostat data

Electricity prices for non-household consumers

Electricity prices highest in Romania and Italy

Non-household consumers are defined for the purpose of this article as medium-sized consumers with an annual consumption between 500 MWh (Mega Watt hours) and 2 000 MWh. As depicted in Figure 6, electricity prices in the first half of 2023 were highest in Romania (€0.3289 per KWh) and Hungary (€0.3030 per KWh). The lowest prices were observed in Finland (€0.0950 per KWh) and Portugal (€0.0954 per KWh). The EU average price in the first half of 2023 was €0.2095 per KWh. The aggregates are weighted averages taking into consideration the average consumption in each band.

Figure 6: Electricity prices for non-household consumers, first half 2023
(€ per KWh)
Source: Eurostat (nrg_pc_205)

Figure 7 shows the development of electricity prices for non-household consumers in the EU since the first half of 2008. The price without taxes, i.e., the energy, supply and network, increased similarly to the overall inflation until 2012, when it peaked at €0.0943 per KWh in the first half. Afterwards it was on the decrease until 2020. In the second half of 2019, for example, it was at €0.0779 per KWh, whereas in the second half of 2020 it increased and stood at €0.0819 per KWh, which is still lower than the first half of 2008 price. By contrast, in the second half of 2022, there was a steep increase, with the price without taxes standing at €0.1986 per KWh, followed by a decrease to 0.1885 in the first half of 2023.

The proportion of the taxes increased by 21.0 pp, from 13.8 % in the first half of 2008 to 34.8 % in the first half of 2020. In the first half 2023, the share of taxes was 10.0 %, showing an increase, after the lowest point of 5.6 % observed in the second half of 2022, reflecting the start of reduction of measures taken to alleviate electricity costs, in the previous semester.

Looking at the non-household total price, i.e., including the non-recoverable taxes, for the first half of 2023, it more than doubled (116.4 %) compared with the 2008 first half price, from €0.0968 per KWh to €0.2095 per KWh.

For the prices adjusted for inflation, the total price for non-household consumers, i.e. including taxes, was €0.1347 per KWh in the first half of 2023 compared with €0.0968 per KWh in the first half of 2008. This price is lower than the actual price including taxes. The total price for non-household consumers, i.e. without taxes, was €0.1986 per KWh in the second half of 2022 compared with €0.0834 per KWh in the first half of 2008. This price is higher than the actual price excluding taxes.

Figure 7: Development of electricity prices for non-household consumers, 2008-2023
(€ per KWh)
Source: Eurostat (nrg_pc_205)

Proportion of non-recoverable taxes and levies in electricity prices

Figure 8 presents the proportion of non-recoverable taxes and levies on the overall electricity price for non-household consumers. In the first half of 2023, the share of taxes was highest in Poland and Cyprus, where non-recoverable taxes and levies made up 34.2 % and 30.4 % of the total price respectively. The share of taxes for the EU in the first half of 2013 stood at 10.0 %, a decrease when compared with the first half 2022 (12.6 %), but an increase compared with the second half of 2022 (5.6 %).

Figure 8: Share of taxes and levies paid by non-household consumers for electricity, first half 2023
(%)
Source: Eurostat (nrg_pc_205)

Development of electricity prices for non-household consumers

Figure 9 shows the change in electricity prices for non-household consumers including all non-recoverable taxes and levies from the first half of 2022 to the first half of 2023. For comparison purposes the national currencies were used. The largest increases were recorded in Hungary (105.7 %) and France (100.2 %), followed by Luxembourg (92.0 %). Decreases were reported in nine countries with the highest decreases in Spain (-38.3 %) and Portugal (-20.6 %).

Figure 9: Change in electricity prices for non-household consumers compared with previous year's same semester, first half 2023
(%)
Source: Eurostat (nrg_pc_205)

Source data for tables and graphs

Electricity price statistics tables and graphs

Data sources

Defining household consumers

Throughout this article, references to household consumers relate to the medium standard household consumption band with an annual electricity consumption between 2 500 KWh and 5 000 KWh. All figures are consumer retail prices and include taxes, levies and VAT. The full datasets for electricity prices for households consumers are available at:

and

Share for transmission and distribution in the network cost for gas and electricity - annual data (nrg_pc_206)

Defining non-household consumers

Throughout this article, references to non-household consumers relate to the medium standard non-household consumption band with an annual consumption of electricity between 500 MWh and 2 000 MWh. In this article, prices correspond to the price of electricity production, its supply, the network costs and includes all non-recoverable taxes and levies. The full datasets for electricity prices for non-households consumers are available at:

and

Share for transmission and distribution in the network cost for gas and electricity - annual data (nrg_pc_206)

Methodology

Prices in national currencies are converted into euro using the average exchange rate of the period for which the prices were reported.

Prices are always compared with the prices of the same semesters (i.e. year on year) in order to avoid seasonal effects.

In 2016, Regulation (EU) 2016/1952 entered into force. It defines the obligation for the collection and dissemination of electricity prices for household and non-household consumers. Until 2016, the domain of non-household consumers was defined as industrial consumers, but reporting authorities were allowed to include other non-household consumers. Regulation (EU) 2016/1952 changed the definition from industrial to non-household consumers to have a unique methodology for all reporting countries. Until January 2017, the reporting authorities provided their price data for the household sector on a voluntary basis.

Electricity tariffs or price schemes vary from one supplier to another. They may result from negotiated contracts, especially for large non-household consumers. For smaller consumers, they are generally set according to a number of characteristics including the amount of electricity consumed. Most tariffs also include some form of fixed charge. There is, therefore, no single price for electricity. In order to compare prices over time and between EU Member States, this article shows information for consumption bands for household consumers and for non-household consumers. Electricity prices for household consumers are divided into five annual consumption bands and, for non-household consumers, into seven different consumption bands.

The prices collected cover average prices over a period of six months (a half-year or semester) from January to June (first semester) and from July to December (second semester) of each year. Prices include the basic price of electricity, transmission and distribution charges, meter rental, and other services. Electricity prices for household consumers presented in this article include taxes, levies, non-tax levies, fees and value added tax (VAT) as this generally reflects the total price paid by household consumers. As non-household consumers are usually able to recover VAT and some other taxes, prices for non-household consumers are shown without VAT and other recoverable taxes/levies/fees. The unit for electricity prices is that of euro per kilowatt-hour (€ per KWh).

Allowances in the reference period 2023 Semester 1

Belgium:

1. At the start of 2022 several specific taxes have been abolished and (partially) replaced by a new federal excise tax. 2. VAT reductions from 21 % to 6 % a. Household electricity customers: since 1 March 2022 b. Household gas customers: since 1 April 2022 c. Non-household electricity customers: since 1 August 2022 3. From November 2022 until March 2023 Belgian household gas and electricity conditionally receive a financial monthly support of €61 (Electricity) and €135 (Gas). a. Customers which are entitled to the so called 'Social Tariff' (a regulated price for approx. 1/6 of all household customers) are not eligible for this financial support. b. Customers with a fixed contract that dates before the start of the surge of the energy prices are not eligible for this financial support c. Customers are only eligible for their first residency. d. This financial support scheme is independent of the (high) energy tariffs and also independent of the level of consumption. e. Household customers with an income above a certain threshold will have to pay back (partially) this support at a later date (via their general taxes). For the first half of 2023, the measures are still in place. In the case of gas prices for non-households the VAT is 6% until 30/06/2023. From 1 July 2023, the VAT will be 21%. In the case of gas and electricity prices for households the VAT remains at 6%.

Bulgaria:

Electricity prices: In the 1st semester of 2023, the Bulgarian government continues to apply the program to compensate the final non-household customers only for the months January-March. The program envisages a temporary mechanism to support non-household customers through electricity suppliers in the form of a monthly compensation, calculated for each individual customer. The compensations are deducted from the total final price after VAT has been charged on each monthly invoice. There are certain specifics in the compensation of non-households customers for the months January - March 2023, as follows: 1. The compensation is calculated in the amount of 100 percent of the difference between the real average monthly exchange price of the "day-ahead" segment of "Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange" EAD, for the relevant month, and the base price of BGN 200/MWh for the period from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023. 2. For customers with prices below the base price of BGN 200/MWh, the compensation is not applied. 3. To customers with a price exceeding the base price by an amount smaller than the amount of the compensation calculated according to p.1, compensation is paid in a reduced amount, so that the resulting price for the customer after compensation is not lower than 200. The way of reporting of these compensations for the semester is fully in accordance with the latest instructions of Eurostat as follows: they are deducted in the 2nd level Electricity prices, excluding VAT and other recoverable taxes and are also recalculated so that the difference between 3rd level prices and 2nd level prices is only 20% VAT. Gas prices: 1. Comparing with the previous reporting period, compensations to district heating plants and household customers were not provided by the state for the period January - June 2023 (1st semester of 2023). 2. The changes introduced by instruction No.3 of the Ministry of Finance dated 15.07.2022 are preserved as follows: From 09.07.2022 to 01.07.2023 a reduced VAT rate from 20% to 9% will apply for the deliveries of natural gas with place of execution on the territory of the country, import and taxable intra-community acquisitions. Quoting the instruction, deliveries of services (transmission, distribution and supply of natural gas) are not ancillary supplies and as such the standard rate of VAT is applicable to them, i.e. 20%. Starting from 09.07.2022 to 30.06.2025 the excise duty on natural gas (gaseous and liquefied) used as motor fuel is removed. This affects final Non-household customers. All the above mentioned changes were taken into account and reported accordingly in the three levels of natural gas prices observed.

Czechia:

Price compensation Electricity: Price ceilings: since 01.01.2023 – to 31.12.2023 From January 1, households will pay a maximum of 5,000 crowns per megawatt-hour excluding VAT for so-called power electricity. This applies to households, self-employed people and small businesses with a price higher than the price ceiling. They will be capped at 100 percent of their annual consumption. At the low voltage level, prices will be fully capped even for consumption by small, medium and large enterprises. For high and very high voltage for small and medium-sized businesses, in this case the capped prices will apply to 80 percent of the highest monthly consumption over the past five years. Large businesses will be entitled to a 100% cap on consumption if they are among the public service providers. Others will have a price cap at 80 percent of their consumption. Fee for supported energy sources (POZE) – was waived for all end-consumers from October 2022 to December 2023. Price compensation Natural gas: Price ceilings: since 01.01.2023 – to 31.12.2023 From January 1, 2023, the price for gas supply will be set at CZK 2,500/MWh without VAT. The fixed monthly salary for the supply of gas is set at 130 CZK without VAT/point of supply per month for small consumers. If it is not gas supply for small consumers, the price for gas supply applies to 80% of the highest monthly value of gas consumption at the point of consumption, if the customer is a small, medium or large business, with the exception of gas supply for electricity production. The price for energy will be capped at 80% of the highest monthly consumption over the past 5 years. Large businesses will be entitled to a 100% cap on consumption if they are among the public service providers.

Denmark:

The only compensation initiative in first half 2023 is an almost suspended electricity tax. Normally this tax will be about 0.,90 DKK per kWh, but in first Semester 2023 it was only 0,008 DKK per kWh (EU minimum). In second Semester 2022 there already was a reduction, meaning that households only pay about 0,75 DKK per kwh. The reductions mentioned above are basically only for the households – and not active in second Semester 2023. For 2022 there was a compensation for mainly private gas users, paid out as lump sum, which reflected in the 2022-submissions. There are no known plans for similar schemes as regards 2023

Germany:

An electricity levy was eliminated in 2022. No further measures were reported for 2023.

Estonia:

Energy cost mitigation benefits from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 on household consumers. The state has developed various temporary compensations to mitigate the effects of rising energy prices on household consumers. They apply to bills issued to consumers for energy consumed in the period from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. Compensations are automatic, i.e. the seller already reduces the unit price of electricity, gas or district heating from the energy bills received by household consumers. 1. Electricity price compensation As of October 1, 2022, the state-owned company Eesti Energia has the obligation to sell electricity as a universal service to household consumers and persons who mediate electricity for household consumers. Universal service will be provided to small business customers from November 1st. In essence, the consumer can choose a fixed package, the price of which is formed outside the stock exchange and which is formed on the basis of the production price agreed with the Competition Authority. Although the obligation to provide universal service is assigned to Eesti Energia AS, universal service can be provided by all electricity sellers. Right to use the universal service: (a) home consumers, (b) home consumers supplied by entities such as apartment associations, administrative companies, local government units (social apartments) and non-profit organizations to the extent necessary to supply home consumers with electricity in, for example, an apartment, cottage, garage or detached house, (c) micro-entrepreneurs, i.e. companies that employ less than 10 people and whose annual turnover or annual balance sheet volume does not exceed two million euros, (d) small businesses, i.e. companies with fewer than 50 employees and whose annual turnover or annual balance sheet volume does not exceed 10 million euros, (e) self-employed up to 1 GWh per year, (f) foundations up to 1 GWh per year, (g) non-profit organizations up to 1 GWh per year, (h) local government authorities (i) institutions managed by the authority of the local government unit. 2. Household consumers of electricity are compensated from the monthly average price of electricity without VAT, which exceeds 8 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), up to 5 cents/kWh (for example, if a consumer buys electricity at an average monthly price of 15 cents/kWh, the price paid by the consumer would be 10 cents/kWh with the help of compensation). The compensation is based on the household consumer's average monthly electricity costs (for example, if the consumer's bill for electricity was €100 without VAT for a consumption of 500 kWh, the average price of electricity for that month without VAT will be 20 cents/kWh). With the help of the compensation, the cost of electricity for the average electricity consumer will be reduced by about 21 percent. Recipients of compensation also include consumers of universal electricity service. 3. Gas price compensation The state compensates the domestic consumer of gas with 80 percent of the part of the average monthly gas price that exceeds 80 €/MWh without VAT, or 0.8264 € per cubic meter. At the same time, the consumption of up to 2.6 MWh (or 251.7 cubic meters), which is the monthly gas consumption of an average private house, is compensated. With the support, the cost of the average gas consumer will be reduced by about 54 percent at a gas price of €270/MWh (for example, if during the month the consumer spent an average of 230 €/MWh -without sales tax- on gas at a consumption volume of 2.6 MWh, then after the compensation is applied, the price paid by the consumer would be 110 €/MWh).

Ireland:

Household Prices: Due to the increases in energy prices from 2022, Ireland has introduced measures to alleviate the burden on final consumers. Domestic electricity customers, including pay as you go customers, have so far received €800 worth of credits on their electricity cost, spread over their bills as follows: April/May 2022: €200, November/December 2022: €200, January/February 2023: €200, March/April 2023: €200. Customers will also receive 3 credits of €150 between December 2023 and March 2024. A further measure to tackle rising energy costs has been introduced in the way of a cut in VAT on gas and electricity bills from 13.5 % to 9% from 1 May 2022. This VAT reduction has now been extended to October 2024. Non-Household Prices: The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) was introduced in the second half of 2022 to support non-domestic customers with increases in their electricity or natural gas (energy) costs. The scheme is administered by Ireland Revenue and provides a cash payment to qualifying non-domestic customers. As it is not administered by electricity suppliers, TBESS rebates are not accounted for in the prices. Gas: Household Prices: To tackle rising energy costs, VAT on gas and electricity bills has been cut from 13.5 % to 9% from 1 May 2022. This VAT reduction has now been extended to October 2024. Non-Household Prices: The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) was introduced in the second half of 2022 to support non-domestic customers with increases in their electricity or natural gas (energy) costs. The scheme is administered by Ireland Revenue and provides a cash payment to qualifying non-domestic customers. As it is not administered by gas suppliers, TBESS rebates are not accounted for in the prices.

Greece:

In the case of electricity, the consumers, household and non household, received compensations as an amount of €/MWh in their electricity bills, different for each month and according to monthly consumption. For household consumers: In January the compensation was €330 for consumption 0-500kWh, €280* for 501-1000kWh, €190* for >1001kWh. In February and March €40** for 0-500kWh consumption and in April, May and June €15*** for 0-500 kWh consumption.

*There was an extra allowance of 50 €/MWh in case the consumption was decreased by 15% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
** There was an extra allowance of 40 €/MWh in case the consumption was decreased by 15% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
*** There was an extra allowance of 15 €/MWh in case the consumption was decreased by 15% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

For non-household consumers the compensation (€/MWh, except <35 kVA) was €134 for January and €20 for February, while there was no compensation for the months March-June. Moreover, for the first semester of 2022, there was an extra financial allowance for the household customers only which was paid directly to them and did not appear on their electricity bills. Not all household consumers were eligible, as certain conditions had to be met. In any case, this allowance could not exceed €600 per beneficiary. This measure is no longer in force. Furthermore, regarding non-households, the subsidies were provided only for January and February, beyond this period no further measure was applied. In the case of the consumption of natural gas, there were no support measures during the reference period. During 2022 the following measures were put in force: In the first semester of 2022, all consumers (households and non-households) were entitled of a subsidy for the consumption of natural gas. The use of natural gas for electricity production was exempted from the subsidy. The level of the subsidy was different for the two categories of consumers and for each month. During the second semester of 2022 only non-households, with the exemption of electricity production, were entitled of a subsidy for the period July-October 2022. The level of the subsidy differed during this period. These measures are no longer in force.

Spain:

The Government of Spain has maintained the measures adopted during 2021 and reinforced them during 2022. The idea is to continue cushioning the impact of electricity prices on final consumers. These measures have focused on the “taxes, fees and charges” component, such as applying reduced rates to both VAT and the Special Electricity Tax, as well applying a new reduction in electricity charges applicable during 2023, comparing them with those of the previous year.

France:

There are slight changes on measures taken the previous year: Since February 2023, the evolution of prices of gas and electricity including taxes is capped at 15% for individual with regulated prices. In 2023, French state mitigates the electricity bill for small and medium-sized companies which do not benefit from regulated tariffs with subsidies up to two millions euros. These subsidies are limited in volume and price.

Croatia:

Gas: VAT remains at 5%. Decision on subsidizing part of the end price of gas supply for households, and non-households with an annual gas consumption of up to 10 GWh: (a) support for households, the amount of support: 0,0199 €/kWh, (b) support for non-households, annual gas consumption of up to 10 GWh, the amount of support: 0,0199 €/kWh. In March 2023, the Government of the Republic of Croatia has adopted new Regulation on eliminating disturbances on the domestic energy market” which extended the application of special and temporary measures for gas trade, for the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Regulation prescribes the price cap on gas producers price, at which gas producer sells gas to the gas trader for the needs of distribution system operators for the purpose of settling losses for gas distribution, for the purpose of settling gas losses in the transmission system and for operational consumption of technological facilities of the transmission system, for the needs of households who use/or will use the supply under public service obligations and for certain customers from the non-household category. Electricity: In March 2023, the Government of the Republic of Croatia has adopted new Regulation on eliminating disturbances on the domestic energy market” which extended the application of special and temporary measures for electricity trade, for the period from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Regulation prescribes the price cap on electricity producers’ price, regulated prices for households and non-households, mitigating the rise in electricity prices, limitation of the increase in fees for electricity. Additionally, social benefits for citizens at risk of energy poverty, support for pensioners with low pensions.

Italy:

The Italian Government has implemented extraordinary and temporary measures to contain the exceptional increases in energy prices with the allocation of resources from the State Budget. More precisely, the Government has adopted various measures starting from the second half of 2021, which were then continued and, in some cases, strengthened during 2022 and 2023. The measures began in 2021 with legislative decree 73/2021 and continued in the same year with legislative decree 130/2021. Further measures were then arranged for the current year, initially with the Budget Law for 2022 and then with the legislative decrees 4, 17, 21, 80, 115 and 144 of 2022. It was therefore possible to reduce or to set to zero the price components aimed to cover the general system charges in the electricity sector (A_SOS and A_RIM tariffs) until March 2023 and in the natural gas sector (RE, GS e UG3 tariffs) for household users and non-household users until December 2023. Furthermore, starting from the year 2023, the nuclear charges (due to the financing of the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and the financing of territorial compensation measures) hitherto covered with part of the A_RIM tariff are no longer collected by electricity suppliers as financed by the state budget. For 2023, the financing has been established at 400 million euros, a value that will be updated annually as needed. Moreover, for the gas sector: 1. The Government temporarily reduced the VAT rate applicable to the supply of gas for civil and industrial uses to 5%, in the invoices issued for consumption of October, November and December 2023. This reduction was then further extended to cover consumption until December 2022 (see details in the table 1). Under usual conditions, the VAT rate applied to gas consumption is: (a) 10% for annual consumption up to 480 m³, and 22% over this threshold for household users, (b) 10% for non-household users. 2. Starting from the third quarter of 2022, the Government has also taken a significant measure in favor of customers with consumption of up to 5,000 m³/year consisting of a large discount (about 30% per cubic meter), which actually produces a reduction in the total price. On a formal level, since this discount is applied through a negative component classified among general system charges (UG2), it makes the total of the charges themselves no longer equal to zero, but negative, for the aforementioned customers (up to 5,000 m³/year). Finally, the Government adopted some measures which, while not having a direct impact on energy prices, help consumers to alleviate the higher cost of energy products. These measures consist in expanding the number of beneficiaries of energy bonuses and in increasing the value of these bonuses for household consumers in poor economic conditions and in granting a tax credit to non-domestic consumers for the purchase of electricity and natural gas.

Cyprus:

Non-Household Customers 1. Due to Covid-19, prices included a temporary reduction of 10% for the period March – September 2023 – CERA Decision 104/2020. 2. A discount of 65% was imposed on the Regulated Tariffs for the usage of Transmission and Distribution Systems for a total period of 4 months, November-December 2021 and January-February 2022-CERA Decision 294/2021. 3. A percentage subsidy was imposed by the Ministry of Finance on specific categories of consumers based on scaled consumption as from September 2022 to June 2023. Household Customers: 1. Due to Covid-19, prices included a temporary reduction of 10% for the period March – September 2023 – CERA Decision 104/2020. 2. A discount of 65% was imposed on the Regulated Tariffs for the usage of Transmission and Distribution Systems for a total period of 4 months, November-December 2021 and January-February 2022-CERA Decision 294/2021. 3. According to Council of Ministers’ Decision, VAT was reduced: (a) from January to June 2022 for Domestic Use Customers (tariffs 01, 02 & 56) from 19% to 9% and (b) from January to October 2022 for Domestic Use Special Tariff for Specific Categories of Vulnerable Customers (tariff 08) from 19% to 5%. 4. A percentage subsidy was imposed by the Ministry of Finance on specific categories of consumers based on scaled consumption as from September 2022 to June 2023.

Latvia:

For all consumers, a 100 % discount on distribution tariffs was applied from January 2022 to April 2022. From November 2021, the Electricity Market Law stipulates that protected users (needy or low-income persons, families with many children or families with children with disabilities, as well as persons with group I disabilities) have the right to receive additional support for protected users for electricity payments. The support takes the form of partial compensation of the amount of the monthly electricity bill from the state budget.

Luxembourg:

From 1 May to 31 December 2022, the Government has decided to bear the costs for the distribution network as well as the fixed monthly fee for residential customers. Cost compensations offer by government are applicable, from 1st January 2023 to 31 December 2024 on electricity, to all final consumers who have a consumption below 25 000 kWh.

Hungary:

Electricity: In Hungary, all of the household consumers are supplied by universal service providers applying regulated tariffs. From the 1st of August 2022 the universal service prices changed, to reflect the higher electricity prices on the market. For consumption above 2 523 kWh/year/consumption point, a higher, but still regulated price needs to be paid for the electricity. This pricing is set quarterly to reflect the changes in the market price. Natural gas: In Hungary, all of the of household consumers are supplied by universal service providers applying regulated tariffs. From the 1st of August 2022 the universal service prices changed, to reflect the higher natural gas prices on the market. For consumption above 63 645 MJ/year/consumption point, a higher, but still regulated price needs to be paid for the natural gas. This pricing is set quarterly to reflect the changes in the market price.

Malta:

There are no subsidies or allowances directly to the consumer but a financial aid to Enemalta plc (electricity distributor) every month to be able to keep prices stable.

Netherlands:

In 2022 the government provided a refund (allowance) to all electricity consumers. In addition, the VAT percentage went from 21 % to 9 %, only for 2022S2. Tax relief measures from 2022 are not continued in 2023. The tax refund dropped almost 30%, while the energy taxes on electricity doubled for households. The government has set a price cap on household prices for 2023. These have not yet been implemented in the reported prices. The average prices are therefore higher than the price cap, and a lot higher than the prices would be if implemented. For 2023 Semester 1 the following (changes in) support measures are taken into account: (a) VAT rate is back to 21%, from 9% in 2022S2, (b) Energy tax rates are back to levels from 2021, where 2022 saw a big drop in these rates for electricity - for gas the incline in rates is steady in all these years, (c) the annual allowance (refund) is still in place, as it has been for years. The amount however is lower than in 2022 and more in range of the 2021 amount, (d) The lump sum of €1.300 paid to low incomes (<120% of social minimum income) is also implemented in 2023, (e) the additional allowance of €190 is ceased. This was only for 2 months in 2022.

Austria:

Natural Gas: The natural gas levy has been reduced from 1 May 2022 to 31 December 2023 from 0,066 €/ m³ to 0,01196 €/ m³. Electricity: 1. The electricity levy has been reduced from 1 May 2022 to 31 December 2023 from 0,015 €/kWh to 0,001 €/kWh. 2. For certain load profiles (H, G or L) the energy price up to 2,900 kWh per year has been limited with 10 Cent/kWh. That applies from 1 December 2022 to 30 June 2024. Households with four or more people get additional money which has been paid out in three tranches. a. Tranche 1: 1 December 2022 to 30 June 2023 - €61.25 per additional person b. Tranche 2: 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023 - €52.50 per additional person c. Tranche 3: 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024 - €52.50 per additional person 3. Households get a voucher of 150 € for energy cost compensation. This voucher has been paid out with the yearly bill. The vouchers have been taken into account from the first half-year of 2022 to the end of 2023. 4. The network tariffs have been reduced for households with low income from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2024. The network tariffs for those households are reduced up to 75%. 5. Several provinces have additional financial support for their inhabitants. a) Lower Austria (October 2022 – September 2023): Fixed amount depending on the household size: One person household € 169,58, Two-person household € 272,36, Three-person household € 374,44, Four-person household € 415,80, Five-person household € 457,07, For each additional person € 41,27 b) Vorarlberg: In 2022 each household got 33,33 € and households with low income got 120 €. From 1 April 2023 to 30 June 2024 the energy price has been reduced by 3 Cent/kWh c) Salzburg: price cap for hot water boiler (load profiles ULA and ULB) up to 1,000 kWh per year with 10 Cent/kWh.

Poland:

For electricity from 1 January to 31 December 2022: 1. Zero rate of excise duty for household customers, 2. Reduction of the excise duty rate from PLN 5 per MWh to PLN 4.60 per MWh for non-domestic customers, 3. Reduction the VAT rate from 23 % to 5 %.

Portugal:

(1) Reduction in electricity network access tariffs: significantly alleviates impact of high wholesale price rises in end-user electricity bills (household and non-households) via considerable reductions in the network access tariffs applied to all voltage levels. (2) Iberian mechanism for limiting electricity prices, applied since June 15, 2022. The Iberian Mechanism makes it possible to set a reference price for natural gas consumed for the production of electricity, based on which a significantly lower value in the Iberian Electricity Market (MIBEL). (3) The reduction in the intermediate rate 13% to 6%. Only low voltage contracts are covered, with power up to 6.9 kVA, and only the first 100 kWh spent by these consumers each month are taxed at 6%. This limit increases to 150 kWh in the case of large families (5 or more members), as long as the contracted power does not exceed 6.9 kVA. All consumption that exceeds these values maintains the normal VAT rate, 23%. (4) Regarding non-domestic gas prices, in the 1st half of 2023 extraordinary support was applied, resulting from the application of Decree Law No. 84-D/2022. This is new support, compared to previous reports. The decree law establishes the transitional regime for stabilizing the price of natural gas, through a discount on the price of natural gas, equivalent to the difference between the price of the energy component, stated on the invoice, and its reference value. (5) Possibility of returning to the regulated tariff in the gas Market (Since September 7, 2022). Applies to consumers in the domestic sector and small businesses with annual consumption of less than 10 000 m³. (6) Social tariff established by Law-Decree No. 138 -A/2010, of 28 December.

Romania:

The average prices presented in the EUROSTAT format are those from the supply contracts, as they were reported by the suppliers active on the electricity and natural gas retail market in the first semester of 2023. Compared to the contractual values presented, in the reporting period, according to the provisions of the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 27/2022 regarding the measures applicable to final clients in the electricity and natural gas market during 1 April 2022-31 March 2023, as well as for the modification and completion of some normative acts in the field of energy (GEO 27/2022), with subsequent amendments and additions, the prices billed to electricity and natural gas household and non-household final clients have been capped, resulting in values that for certain categories are significantly lower than contractual values. The following table shows the capped values of the prices billed to electricity household clients, according to GEO no. 27/2022. Since the cap is applied on monthly consumption bands, the conversion to annual consumption bands is indicative. The final capped billed prices include network tariffs, taxes and VAT (EGO no. 27/2022). For annual consumption between 0 – 1200 kWh the capped billed price (lei/kWh) is 0.68, for 1200 – 3060 kWh 0.8, for 3060 – 3600 0.8-1.3 and >3600 1.3. For electricity non-household clients, EGO no. 27/2022 provides for two capped values of the final price, 1 leu/kWh and 1.3 lei/kWh, which do not depend on the monthly or annual consumption but on the type of activity. For natural gas clients the capped prices are a maximum of 0.31 lei/kWh, for household clients, respectively a maximum of 0.37 lei/kWh for non-household clients and thermal energy producers (in cogeneration plants and in thermal plants for the consumption intended for the consumers as direct clients of natural gas producers - PET), the only constraint to qualify for capping is for the category of non-household final clients whose annual consumption of natural gas in the previous year at the place of consumption is of no more than 50,000 MWh.

Slovenia:

In order to mitigate the consequences of rising energy prices for final consumers in Slovenia certain measures in the field of electricity and natural gas were taken. The measures that were still in place in the period of the 1 st half of 2023 are listed below. 1. Temporarily omitting or reducing certain contributions: One of the first measures that is in place from February 2022 is the amended Regulation on determining the amount of excise duty for electricity reduced the excise duty for final consumers of electricity for 50 %: (a) with an annual consumption of 0 to 10,000 MWh from €3.05 per MWh to €1.525 per MWh, (b) with an annual consumption above 10,000 MWh from €1.800 per MWh to €0.900 per MWh. At the same time amended Regulation on determining the amount of excise duty on energy products reduced the excise duty for final consumers of natural gas used for heating for 50 % (from €0.0184 per m³ to €0.0092 per m³). All excise duties are reported under “environmental taxes” in Eurostat’s tables (annual data).

From September 2022 the VAT on electricity and natural gas prices (including all contributions, with an exception of administrative costs for issuing the invoice) was reduced from 22% to 9.5%. The measure was in force until 31 May 2023. From June 2023 VAT on electricity and natural gas prices is again put at 22%. CO2 contribution (environmental contribution for burdening the environment with carbon dioxide emissions) for natural gas was omitted from 1 September 2022 onwards (contribution equaled 0). The measure was in force until 8 May 2023. Regulation on the method of determining and calculating contributions for providing support for the production of electricity in cogeneration with high efficiency and from renewable energy sources was amended, which resulted in reduced contribution of RES+CHP for electricity consumers (by 50%) for household and small business from September 2022 onwards. RES+CHP contribution is reported under “environmental taxes” in Eurostat’s tables for electricity prices.

2. Specific aid to the industry and commercial sector: In December 2022 the Act on Aid to the Economical Sector to Mitigate the Consequences of the Energy Crisis was adopted. With this Act, the government subsidizes the payment of high energy prices to beneficiaries in the period between January 1 and December 31, 2023. Commercial companies, independent entrepreneurs, economic interest associations and cooperatives, private institutes and associations, as well as chambers and trade unions are eligible for assistance - for all of them, it is a condition that they perform economic activity. Beneficiaries do not include small business customers, as they already have a regulated price for electricity and gas, as well as subjects from finance and insurance. Beneficiaries are able to apply for assistance in the amount of between 40 and 80 percent of the eligible costs, namely above 1.5 times the increase in the prices of electricity, natural gas and steam in 2023 - and the price comparison will be calculated based on the average price in 2021, except in the case of taking into account the principle of proportionality, when the year 2019 will be taken into account. The law sets the maximum allowed average prices for 2021 for electricity and natural gas for simple assistance. If the beneficiary has a lower average price, he can claim the latter. When calculating simple aid, the actual amount of energy used in 2023 will be taken into account, while special aid will take into account 70% of the amount of energy used in 2021. In total, the maximum allowable aid for the same costs and period is from €2 million and all up to €150 million per beneficiary. With the aim of helping the most affected companies with the measure, the maximum possible upper price per unit of energy product in 2023, which the beneficiary can claim is limited. This is €510 per MWh for electricity and €160 per MWh for natural gas. At the same time, the lowest price per unit of energy was determined in 2023, namely €150 per MWh for electricity and €79 per MWh for natural gas. The beneficiary will be able to claim only one type of aid among the five types of aid: (a) In the case of simple aid, the beneficiaries will receive 50% of the eligible costs reimbursed, or up to €2 million in total aid. Aid in agriculture will be lower, namely up to €250,000 and in fisheries up to €300,000, (b) basic special aid may comprise 50% of eligible costs and up to a maximum of €4 million of total aid, (c) special aid for reduced economic performance of 40% of eligible costs and up to €100 million, (d) special aid for energy-intensive companies 65% of eligible costs and up to €50 million, (e) special aid in special sectors 80% of eligible costs and up to €150 million.

The law sets additional conditions for each category of aid, and at the request of the European Commission, the aid received under the temporary framework of all subordinate and parent companies is totaled for all aid for the economy. In addition to that: with a government regulation, from 1 September 2022 the highest permitted tariff items of the price of electricity for small business customers with a connection power equal to or less than 43 kW, who are not household customers, excluding VAT, was set to: Higher tariff: 0.13800 €/kWh, Lower tariff: 0.09900 €/kWh, Uniform tariff: 0.12400 €/kWh. Small business customers can have several measuring points. In order to be entitled to regulated prices according to the regulation, the total power of all metering points must not exceed 86 kW. The regulation also applied to natural gas prices. The highest permitted tariff rate for natural gas in the amount of €0.079/kWh (excluding VAT) applied to: (a) basic social services, kindergartens, primary schools, medical centres and small business clients, (b) replacement and basic electricity distribution for basic social services, kindergartens, primary schools, medical centres and small business clients, (c) heat distributors for district heating, supplying heat to kindergartens, primary schools and basic social services.

3. Specific aid to households: With a government regulation, from 1 September 2022 the maximum permitted tariff items for the price of electricity for household customers and for the supply of electricity in common areas of multi apartment buildings and mixed multi-apartment-commercial buildings, without VAT, amounts to: Higher tariff (VT): 0.11800 €/kWh, Lower tariff (NT): 0.08200 €/kWh, Uniform tariff (ET): 0.09800 €/kWh. In the same way, from September 2022 onwards the highest permitted tariff rate for natural gas in the amount of €0.073/kWh (excluding VAT) applies to household customers and joint household customers, replacement and basic natural gas distribution for household customers and joint household customers, and distributors for district heating that supply heat to household customers.

Slovakia:

Maximum households prices were fixed for the whole year. Non-households consumers are divided into vulnerable customers with regulated prices and unregulated customers with market prices. The category of vulnerable customers with a regulated price consists of entities that meet conditions set by legislation. From February to November 2023, economic entities could apply for a subsidy to cover additional costs due to the increase in energy prices - electricity and gas. The authorized recipient of the subsidy had to fulfil the conditions specified in the call. The months from January to September 2023 are the authorized period for which the mentioned entities could send an application.

Finland:

The Finnish government has taken several measures about energy cost compensations. The time period affected is from 1.11.2022-30.4.2023. No more measures are planned beyond this period. Thus, the effect on electricity prices limit on periods S2/2022 and S1/2023. S2/2022 is final. S1/2023 includes the VAT reduction and retroactive electricity bill compensation (1 and 2), but not the compensation reducing taxation (3) or compensation paid as electricity cost support (4). These data is only available after taxation for 2023 is final. (1) Value added tax of the electricity was reduced from 24 % to 10 % from 1.12.2022 until 30.4.2023. (2) Retroactive electricity bill compensation if the VAT-inclusive electricity price in household’s electricity contract exceeded 10 cents per kilowatt-hour or if the electricity contract was based on spot prices (so-called market price) in November and December 2022 and/or January 2023. The compensation for electricity costs was 50% of the VAT-inclusive price of the electricity bill. The compensation was not granted to the distribution rate or electricity tax. The compensation couldn’t exceed €700 per month. The amount of the compensation was calculated based on the part of your electricity bill that exceeded the threshold of €90/month. The compensation was paid in two instalments. The amount of the instalments was calculated in two different ways: The amount of the first instalment was calculated based on your electricity bills for November and December. The amount of the second instalment was calculated based on your electricity bill for January 2023 and is multiplied by two. Additional measures took effect from 1.1.2023 until 30.4.2023. (3) The compensation of the big electricity bills are part of the existing system of tax credit for household expenses. Electricity bill exceeding €2 000 until €6 000 during 1.1.-30.4.2022 will be compensated by 60% and reduces the amount of tax the customer has to pay. (4) If no taxable income the compensation is made in the form of the electricity cost support. The 60 % compensation will be paid by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland if the electricity bill will exceed 400 €/month but not 1 500 €/month during 1.1.-30.4.2022. Natural gas prices are not compensated by any means.

Sweden:

Following the compensation provided during 2021 and 2022, there have not been support measures in 2023 for gas or electricity regarding households. For the non-household consumers it is still work in progress.

Iceland:

Iceland is an independent producer of heat and electricity for housing. Heating is generally of geothermal origin. All electricity in the country is produced in hydro-powerplants in the country and thus does not rely on gas/nuclear/coal/fuels etc. Iceland's electricity net is not connected to Europe. The associated prices are thus not surging in Iceland as in many other countries. The government has not issued any measures to compensate prices for heating or for electricity nor is there any pressure to do so.

Norway:

The government of Norway introduced a temporary support scheme from December 2021 onwards where all households receive an amount of support per KWh electricity used. This amount varies from month to month depending on the average electricity spot price. This support is paid to household consumers by lowering their electricity bill, in all months where the wholesale electricity price is above a certain threshold. This support is paid to household consumers by lowering their electricity bill. The temporary electricity support scheme for households is expected to last at least until the end of 2024.

Context

The price and reliability of energy supplies, electricity in particular, are key elements in a country's energy supply strategy. Electricity prices are of particular importance for international competitiveness, as electricity usually represents a significant proportion of total energy costs for industrial and service-providing businesses. Contrary to the price of fossil fuels, which are usually traded on global markets with relatively uniform prices, electricity prices vary widely among EU Member States. The price of primary fuels and, more recently, the cost of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission certificates influence, to some degree, the price of electricity.

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Energy Emergency - preparing, purchasing and protecting the EU together, COM2022(553) final, coordinates solidarity efforts, secures the energy supply, stabilises price levels and support households and companies facing high energy prices.

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, REPowerEU: Joint European Action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy, COM2022(108) final, Commission to propose measures to coordinate solidarity efforts, secure the energy supply, stabilise price levels and support households and companies facing high energy prices.

In 2019, the European Commission presented the Clean energy for all Europeans package. The Commission completed a comprehensive update of its energy policy framework to facilitate the transition away from fossil fuels towards cleaner energy and to deliver on the EU's Paris Agreement commitments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Fit for 55 legislative proposals cover a wide range of policy areas including climate, energy, transport and taxation, setting out the ways in which the Commission will reach its updated 2030 target in real terms.

Regulation (EU) No 2016/1952 tackles data weaknesses led to the recommendation to improve the detail, transparency and consistency of energy price data collection. An energy prices and costs report would be prepared every 2 years. The European Commission thus published such a report also in 2016 and 2018.

The Seventh report on the state of the energy union was published on 18 October 2022. The 2022 report is the third report since the adoption of the European Green Deal and the first after the adoption of the REPowerEU plan. It highlights the challenges that the energy sector has faced in the past 12 months and the progress made in addressing both shorter-term issues and Europe's long-term climate goals. In particular, the report takes stock of the EU's energy policy response to the current energy crisis, exacerbated by Russia's war in Ukraine.

Increased transparency for gas and electricity prices should help promote fair competition, by encouraging consumers to choose between different energy sources (oil, coal, natural gas and renewable energy sources) and different suppliers. Energy price transparency is more effective when publishing and broadcasting as widely as possible prices and pricing systems.

Direct access to

Main tables

Energy - selected datasets (t_nrg), see

Energy statistics - main indicators (t_nrg_indic)

Electricity prices by type of user (ten00117)

Database

Energy - detailed datasets (nrg), see:

Energy statistics - prices of natural gas and electricity (nrg_price)

Energy statistics - natural gas and electricity prices (from 2007 onwards) (nrg_pc)

Energy statistics - natural gas and electricity prices (until 2007) (nrg_pc_h)

External links

Eurelectric
Europe's Energy Portal
European Commission — Energy

Weekly oil bulletin (weekly pump prices)
State of the energy union reports (State of the energy union reports)

International Energy Agency (IEA) — Prices and taxes statistics