Working Price
The working price is the price per kilowatt hour of electricity or gas consumed - the variable part of energy costs.
Key Takeaways
- •The working price is the price per kilowatt hour of electricity or gas consumed - the variable part of energy costs.
- •Working Price belongs to the Energy category. We explain it step by step for newcomers to Germany.
- •With a working price of 30 ct/kWh and 3,500 kWh annual consumption, consumption costs are 1,050 EUR. Plus a base price of e.g. 120 EUR/year - 1,170 EUR in total per year.
meinetarife24 Editorial Team
Our independent editorial team carefully reviews all information and regularly updates the content.
Detailed Explanation
The working price (Arbeitspreis), along with the base price (Grundpreis), is the second component of energy pricing in Germany. It is charged for each kWh you actually consume. On your annual bill it usually appears as "Verbrauchspreis", and providers must show the working price and base price separately by law (Section 40 EnWG).
Working price vs base price - the difference that matters: the base price is fixed and applies no matter how much energy you use (usually billed per month or year). The working price grows with every kWh you consume. If you use little energy, a low base price helps you most; heavy users should focus on a low working price.
Composition (electricity, 2026 reference values): - Electricity procurement and sales: Approx. 8-14 ct/kWh (depends on provider and tariff) - Network charges: On average around 9 ct/kWh (varies strongly by region) - EEG surcharge: 0 ct - cut to zero in July 2022 and permanently abolished from 2023 - Electricity tax: 2.05 ct/kWh - Concession fee: Approx. 1-2 ct/kWh - Other levies (KWKG, Section 19 StromNEV, offshore): around 3 ct/kWh combined - VAT: 19%
Composition (gas, 2026 reference values): - Gas procurement and sales: Variable, market-dependent - Network charges: Regionally different - CO2 price (BEHG): rises every year and is noticeable in the 2026 working price - Energy tax: 0.55 ct/kWh - VAT: 19%
How to lower the working price: - Compare tariffs and add up working price AND base price together - Reduce consumption (this lever acts directly on the working price) - Check for a price guarantee on the working price so it stays stable during the term
Calculation Formula
Energy costs = Base price + (Working price × Consumption in kWh)Practical Example
With a working price of 30 ct/kWh and 3,500 kWh annual consumption, consumption costs are 1,050 EUR. Plus a base price of e.g. 120 EUR/year - 1,170 EUR in total per year.
Legal Basis
§40 EnWG (content of energy bills - working price and base price must be shown separately)
Related Terms
Sources & Methodology
Our methodology: the meinetarife24 Editorial Team checks every definition against binding primary data sources and consumer-focused reference portals. We name the relevant legal basis, link related terms and update each entry regularly. We do not sell loans or tariffs ourselves. This explanation is provided purely for information.
- • Legal basis: §40 EnWG (content of energy bills - working price and base price must be shown separately)
- • Price Indication Regulation (PAngV) at Gesetze im Internet
- • Finanztip and the Deutsche Bundesbank as independent references on interest rates and consumer credit.