Types of Gas Tariffs in Germany
Gas offers explained simply
Basic supply, fixed price, price guarantee, eco-gas or volume package: the German gas market has many tariff forms, plus two gas qualities (L-gas and H-gas). This guide explains clearly which types of gas offers exist and which tariff fits your consumption, even without prior knowledge of the German energy market.
The key points at a glance
- Germany has five common tariff types: basic supply, fixed price, price guarantee, eco-gas and volume package.
- L-gas and H-gas differ in calorific value; the switchover affects only your consumption in cubic metres, not your energy costs.
- What matters is always the interplay of unit price and base price, never a single figure on its own.
- A targeted comparison based on your real annual consumption often saves several hundred euros a year.
Last updated: 15 June 2026 · meinetarife24 editorial team · Reading time: approx. 9 minutes
What to expect
The five types of gas offers
Gas tariffs for household customers in Germany broadly fall into five categories. Each addresses different needs: someone looking for planning security chooses differently from someone who wants to stay flexible. Here is the overview.
Basic supply tariff (Grundversorgung)
The standard tariff every household receives automatically when no other contract exists. Basic suppliers are legally obliged to supply every household and to publish their prices openly.
No cancellation needed, supply is automatic
Often the most expensive tariff on the market
Anyone who has just moved or is not planning to switch soon
Fixed-price tariff (Festpreis)
Locks the unit price per kilowatt-hour for a set term, typically 12 to 24 months. This protects against price rises and makes budgeting easier.
Planning security, no risk from market swings
No benefit if market prices fall
Households with stable consumption who prefer cost certainty
Tariff with price guarantee (Preisgarantie)
Protects you against price increases for a limited time. Unlike the fixed price, the provider can adjust the price once the guarantee period ends. Guarantees range from a few months to two years.
Protection against short-term increases
The guarantee only applies for the agreed period
Those who want medium-term security but stay flexible
Eco-gas tariff (Ökogas)
Marketed as climate-neutral or CO₂-offset gas, often with a share of biomethane (usually 5 to 10 %) or by funding climate protection projects.
Lower CO₂ footprint, support for renewable energy
Usually slightly more expensive than conventional tariffs
Environmentally conscious households with sustainability goals
Volume package tariff (Pakettarif)
Fixes a set price for a defined gas volume. You pay for an agreed amount regardless of your actual consumption.
Maximum cost transparency, no surprises at settlement
Excess consumption is often billed at higher rates
Households with very stable, predictable consumption
Pro tip
For every tariff, check not just the unit price but also the term, notice periods and bonus payments. A low unit price with a long minimum term can cost more in the long run than a slightly higher price with a short commitment. More on this in the guide to the gas price guarantee.
L-gas and H-gas: the two gas qualities
Alongside the tariff types, Germany has two technically different gas qualities: L-gas (low calorific gas) and H-gas (high calorific gas). L-gas has a calorific value of around 10 kWh/m³, H-gas around 11.5 kWh/m³. It sounds technical, but it directly affects your heating and gas stove.
L-gas (low calorific)
Traditionally comes from Dutch and northern German fields and is used mainly in north-west Germany. Because these fields are increasingly depleted, L-gas is being phased out step by step.
H-gas (high calorific)
Comes from Norway and international imports (including as LNG) and has a higher energy content. Germany is gradually converting its network entirely to H-gas by around 2030.
What the switchover means for you
Remember: the gas type is not on your tariff sheet and is not a selection criterion when you switch. What counts for your bill is solely your consumption in kilowatt-hours, and that is exactly what you use to compare tariffs.
Compare gas tariffs for your consumption
Enter your annual consumption and postcode and compare free of charge and without obligation. You will immediately see which tariff type and which provider suit your consumption profile and your region.
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Understanding unit price and base price
The cost of every gas offer is made up of two parts: the unit price (Arbeitspreis) and the base price (Grundpreis). Anyone who looks only at the unit price often makes the wrong decision.
Unit price (Arbeitspreis)
The price per kilowatt-hour consumed (ct/kWh). At 8 ct/kWh and 15,000 kWh a year, you pay 1,200 euros for consumption alone. Just 1 ct/kWh of difference adds up to 150 euros a year here, the biggest lever for households with high consumption.
Base price (Grundpreis)
A fixed monthly fee for the meter, network and administration, regardless of consumption. It is typically 5 to 15 euros per month (60 to 180 euros a year). For households with low consumption it is often the decisive cost factor.
Worked example: which tariff is cheaper?
Two tariffs compared, one with a low unit price and a higher base price, the other the other way round:
| Consumption/year | Tariff A 8 ct/kWh + €10/month | Tariff B 9 ct/kWh + €5/month | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 kWh | €520 | €510 | Tariff B |
| 10,000 kWh | €920 | €960 | Tariff A |
| 15,000 kWh | €1,320 | €1,410 | Tariff A |
| 20,000 kWh | €1,720 | €1,860 | Tariff A |
The result is clear: with low consumption, a low base price matters more than a low unit price. With high consumption, the relationship reverses. A small household using 5,000 kWh is better off with Tariff B, even though its unit price is higher.
Illustrative values. Run your own concrete comparison with the gas comparison.
Comparing the right way in five steps
The most important factor in saving is the complete comparison of unit price, base price, term and price guarantee. Anyone who compares only the unit price often overlooks hidden costs. Here is how to go about it in a structured way:
Determine your annual consumption
Look at your last annual statement and note your actual consumption in kilowatt-hours. An accurate figure is the basis for any meaningful comparison.
Calculate total cost, not just the unit price
Add unit price times consumption and the yearly base price. Only that sum shows what you really pay.
Check term and notice periods
Short terms (12 months) give flexibility, longer ones (24 months) often cheaper prices. Watch for automatic renewal if you do not cancel in time.
Assess price guarantee and bonuses
A price guarantee protects you against increases for a limited time. Convert bonuses across the term: a 100-euro bonus over 24 months is only about 4 euros a month.
Make the switch and mind the deadlines
The new provider usually handles the cancellation. There are often 4 to 6 weeks between signing and the start of supply, so plan the switch well before your contract ends.
Good to know: the 24-hour rule for the technical provider switch that applies since 6 June 2025 covers electricity only, not gas. Compare gas tariffs ideally once a year, about 6 to 8 weeks before your current contract ends.
Eco-gas in detail: what really lies behind it
Not all eco-gas is the same. Three basic models stand behind the term, and they differ greatly in their actual climate impact.
What to watch for: if you genuinely care about environmental friendliness, look for a verifiable biomethane share and recognised, independent certificates. Pure CO₂ offsetting without proof is often more marketing than real climate protection.
Gas offers for businesses and the self-employed
Commercial tariffs differ from household tariffs: business customers usually have no entitlement to basic supply and negotiate contracts actively. Consumption is often higher and more variable, which calls for different tariff structures, such as individually negotiated annual contracts with fixed unit prices.
For small companies and the self-employed with low consumption, a portal comparison is worthwhile. Larger businesses usually negotiate directly with suppliers or bring in an energy consultant, since the choice of tariff can amount to several thousand euros a year.
For expats and newcomers
If you have only just moved to Germany, you almost always end up in the basic supply, usually the most expensive tariff. Terms like unit price, base price or restricted price guarantee are hard to place without prior knowledge. The good news: once you understand how the unit price and base price work together, you make much better decisions.
meinetarife24 explains these topics in German, English and Turkish, so you can make a well-informed decision even if German is not your native language.
Frequently asked questions
Find the right gas tariff
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