Compare Gas Tariffs in Germany 2026
Built for expats and newcomers
In May 2026, new customers in Germany pay an average of 9.4 cents per kWh according to BDEW. Existing customers sit closer to 11.6 cents, and default supply (Grundversorgung) is almost always above both. Here is how to find the right tariff without falling for the bonus trap.
New to fixed tariffs? Our guide explains what a gas price guarantee (Preisgarantie) really locks in, and which costs can still rise.
meinetarife24 Editorial Team
Our independent editorial team carefully reviews all information and regularly updates the content.
Key Takeaways
- Current price (May 2026): BDEW puts new customers at 9.4 ct/kWh, existing customers at 11.6 ct/kWh. Default supply almost always sits above both.
- Switching takes about 3 minutes: Meter number and annual usage are enough. Your new provider cancels the old contract.
- Watch out for Sofortbonus, Pakettarif, prepayment: They look cheap in year one and get expensive or risky later.
- Your gas supply will not stop: § 36 EnWG guarantees continuous delivery, even if your provider goes bankrupt.
- No Schufa required: Newcomers without a German credit history can still sign up for gas.
Gas prices in Germany — what the May 2026 market looks like
Gas prices in Germany have ticked up slightly since early 2026. Geopolitical tension around the Iran conflict and the resulting LNG import dynamics are part of the reason. Spring is still a reasonable moment to switch — new customer rates remain low compared with the 2023–2024 spike.
BDEW (the German energy industry association) reports an average existing-customer price of 11.6 ct/kWh for May 2026. New customers sign contracts from roughly 9.4 ct/kWh — a weighted national average. In larger cities such as Hamburg or Munich, the new customer rate sometimes sits a touch lower; rural network areas sometimes sit a touch higher.
Bundesnetzagentur regulates grid fees, taxes, and levies separately from the actual energy price. These regulated components add up to roughly 31 percent of the final bill. By switching providers, you only affect the remaining portion — but that share is large enough to add up to a three-digit euro difference per year.
Why comparing now makes sense
- · The heating season ends in April. The calmest time to switch is before the next winter.
- · Spring bonuses tend to be higher because providers fight for market share.
- · If you are stuck in default supply, you can cancel with a two-week notice almost any time.
German terms on your gas bill
So you know what you are clicking on the provider portal.
Glossary
Worked example: gas costs for a four-person household
How your annual bill is built up (May 2026 reference values, rounded)
Initial Situation
A typical single-family home with gas heating and hot water uses 18,000 kWh per year according to Heizspiegel. Example: default supply with 14.5 ct/kWh working price and a 18.90 EUR monthly basic fee.
Calculation
18,000 kWh × 0.14518.90 EUR × 1218,000 × 0.094 + 10 × 12Result
Your real saving depends on region, chosen provider, and bonus model. Numbers are based on BDEW May-2026 averages.
Bonuses usually apply only in year one. Starting month 13, the regular price kicks in. Plan another comparison before your minimum term ends.
Trap tariffs: package, prepayment, bonus trick
Three contract structures look cheap in the comparison tool but often cost more than expected. Filter them out once you know what they are.
Package tariff (Pakettarif)
You prepay a fixed kWh quantity. Use less and you do not get money back. Use more and the extra is billed at default-supply rates.
Prepayment (Vorkasse)
You pay the full year up front. If the provider goes bankrupt, your prepayment is part of the insolvency estate. Monthly billing is the safer model.
Welcome-bonus trap
A high first-year bonus pulls the effective cost down. From month 13 the regular working price applies. Check the price after bonus — that is the honest comparison value.
What to look out for when comparing
Editorial notes based on the most common reader questions
Default supply (Grundversorgung) is usually the most expensive option
If you do not choose a provider after moving in, you are automatically supplied by your local default provider at the standard rate. Verbraucherzentrale data shows these rates almost always sit above the cheapest market offers. Switching is free and takes a few minutes online.
A welcome bonus is not the same as a cheap tariff
Most providers advertise a Sofortbonus or Neukundenbonus that lowers your first-year bill. Starting month 13, the regular working price kicks in and can sit much higher. Always check the price after bonus and set a reminder before the minimum contract ends.
Package tariffs can backfire if your usage changes
A Pakettarif sells you a fixed kWh quantity up front. Use less, you do not get money back. Use more, and the extra kWh are charged at default-supply rates. For households with seasonal swings, this is risky.
Avoid prepayment tariffs
Tarifs with full-year prepayment look cheap on paper. If the provider goes bankrupt, your prepayment becomes part of the insolvency estate and you may lose it. Monthly billing with normal installments is the safer choice. Finanztip flags prepayment models on its internal exclusion list for the same reason.
Price guarantees give peace of mind
A Preisgarantie locks in the price for a defined period. Check whether the guarantee covers only the working price or also the basic fee, and whether taxes and levies are excluded. Full price guarantees are the most robust.
Your first gas tariff as a newcomer
When you move in, you land in default supply almost automatically. This is built into German law: until you actively choose a provider, the local default supplier bills you at the standard rate. Convenient, but typically the most expensive option.
First steps without a German credit history
- · No Schufa needed for basic gas supply.
- · Pick a tariff with a moderate bonus and monthly billing.
- · Meter number is on the previous bill or on the meter in the basement.
- · Annual usage for a 70 m² flat lands around 10,000 kWh per Heizspiegel benchmarks.
Tenant vs. owner
- · Own meter and own contract? You pick the provider.
- · Heating included in Nebenkosten? The landlord holds the contract — you cannot switch directly.
- · No landlord approval needed for switching the billing provider, only for the physical connection.
- · Your annual statement shows whether gas runs centrally or per flat.
Bevor du loslegst
Was wird hier verglichen?
This comparison shows gas tariffs from providers in the CHECK24 network. For every offer you see the basic fee, working price per kWh, contract term, bonuses, and — when applicable — a price guarantee. Tariff data comes in real time from CHECK24; we do not calculate prices ourselves.
Dieser Vergleich ist geeignet fur:
- Private households with gas heating or a gas stove
- Tenants and owners with their own gas meter
- Anyone stuck in default supply
- Households interested in tariffs with a biogas share
Dieser Vergleich ist NICHT geeignet fur:
- Large commercial customers with custom contracts
- Households on district heating instead of their own gas meter
- Residents of buildings where heating is billed via Nebenkosten
- Anyone exclusively searching for small regional Stadtwerke outside the CHECK24 network
Wichtiger Hinweis
Not every German gas provider is in the CHECK24 network. Some small regional utilities are missing. For very rural addresses, also consider a direct quote from the local Stadtwerk.
Datenquelle & Transparenz
Die Tarifdaten auf dieser Seite werden in Echtzeit von CHECK24 bereitgestellt. Wir greifen nicht in die Preise, Rankings oder Darstellung der Ergebnisse ein.
Unsere Rolle:
Wir bieten redaktionelle Erklärungen und Entscheidungshilfen. Die eigentliche Tarifberechnung und Vermittlung erfolgt durch unsere Partner.
Was wir nicht abdecken:
Nicht alle Anbieter am Markt sind in diesem Vergleich enthalten. Regionale Anbieter oder spezialisierte Tarife können fehlen.
Compare gas tariffs now
Enter your postal code and annual usage — results in seconds.
So liest du die Ergebnisse
Worauf du achten solltest
- 1The annual price shown is based on your entered usage. Your real bill changes when your actual usage shifts.
- 2Look at both the basic fee (fixed monthly amount) and the working price (per kWh). A low working price does not help if the basic fee eats it back up.
- 3Bonuses usually apply only in year one. The price after bonus is the honest yearly comparison value.
- 4Biogas tariffs often cost only a few percent more than pure Erdgas tariffs.
Haeufige Fehler vermeiden
- Looking only at the bonus — month 13 becomes expensive.
- Ignoring the price guarantee — without it, the provider can raise prices mid-term.
- Skipping the cancellation period — long minimum terms block your next switch.
- Underestimating winter usage — cold seasons push consumption up quickly.
Was passiert nach dem Bonuszeitraum?
Many gas tariffs are cheap in year one because of bonuses. From year two the regular price applies. Set a calendar reminder before your minimum term ends so you can compare again.
Zusaetzliche Tipps
- Compare in spring before the next heating season starts.
- Use the filter to exclude package tariffs, prepayment models, and minimum usage clauses.
- Check the duration of any price guarantee — 12 months is shorter than many people expect.
Common questions
What newcomers and long-term renters ask most often.
How much does gas cost in Germany in May 2026?
According to BDEW data for May 2026, existing customers pay around 11.6 cents per kWh on average, while new customers pay roughly 9.4 cents per kWh. Default supply rates almost always sit above both averages. Your exact price depends on federal state, provider, contract start, and chosen tariff model.
Do I need a Schufa credit check to sign up for gas?
No. Gas supply is considered a basic need in Germany, so newcomers without a German credit history can sign up. Some providers run a Schufa check when granting very large bonuses. If you have no German credit file yet, choose a tariff with a moderate bonus and monthly billing.
I just moved into a flat with gas heating. What do I do now?
Check your rental contract first to see whether heating is included in your Nebenkosten (utility costs). If it is, your landlord handles the gas contract. If you pay gas directly, you need your meter number (on the meter in the basement or hallway), your new address, and a rough yearly usage estimate. You can then pick a provider or stay with the local default supplier — the latter is usually more expensive.
Will my gas supply be interrupted when I switch providers?
No. § 36 EnWG (the Energy Industry Act) guarantees continuous supply. When you switch, the physical pipeline stays the same — only the billing partner changes. If your new provider fails for any reason, the local default provider automatically steps in within a short transition window.
What is the difference between natural gas (Erdgas) and biogas?
Erdgas is a fossil fuel from underground deposits. Biogas comes from organic residues like maize or biowaste. Biogas has a better CO₂ profile but is not automatically climate-neutral — methane emissions still occur. Tariffs with a biogas share usually cost only a few percent more than pure Erdgas tariffs. A reputable provider lists the exact biogas share in the tariff sheet.
When can I cancel my gas contract early?
The Sonderkündigungsrecht (special cancellation right) applies when your provider raises prices or changes contract terms. You usually have four to six weeks to cancel in writing, even if your minimum contract has not ended yet. A move outside your provider's supply area also triggers this right.
Can I switch gas providers as a tenant?
Yes — if you have your own gas contract and gas is not part of your Nebenkosten. You do not need landlord approval to switch the billing provider. The physical connection stays the same. If your building uses central heating run by the landlord, the landlord holds the contract and you cannot switch directly.
What happens if my gas provider goes bankrupt?
You will not be cut off. Within roughly three months, the local default provider automatically takes over at the Ersatzversorgung tariff. This rate is usually higher than your previous deal, so you should find a new low-cost provider quickly. Prepaid amounts may be partially lost as part of the bankruptcy proceedings — another reason to favour tariffs with monthly billing.
Ready to switch to a cheaper gas tariff?
Three minutes are enough to see whether you are paying too much. No account, no commitment, no Schufa check.
Related guides
- · Save on Gas & Cut Your Heating Bill — step-by-step ways to lower what you pay each year.
- · Turkish version: Save on Gas & Cut Your Heating Bill for Turkish-speaking readers.
Legal notice
Disclosure: This page contains advertising. meinetarife24.de participates in the CHECK24.net partner programme. Embedded iframe widgets may earn us a commission when a contract or lead is generated through them. This does not influence the tariffs displayed.
No legal or financial advice: Content on this page is for information only and does not replace individual advice from a Verbraucherzentrale, energy adviser, or lawyer.
Data source: Tariff data comes in real time from the CHECK24 network. Average gas-price values are based on publicly communicated BDEW and Bundesnetzagentur data for May 2026.
Last updated: May 2026 · All information without warranty · Source for market averages: BDEW, Bundesnetzagentur, Heizspiegel.