Gas Storage Levy 2026
Gone in Germany
Germany's gas storage levy (German: Gasspeicherumlage) ended on January 1, 2026. For a 20,000 kWh household, that's about €69 less per year. The catch: grid fees rose 11.2% in 2026 and offset much of the savings.
Key Takeaways
- • Legislation: Bundestag voted Nov 6, 2025; Bundesrat ratified Nov 21, 2025. Effective January 1, 2026.
- • Last active rate (Jul-Dec 2025): 0.289 ct/kWh = €2.89/MWh.
- • Typical savings (gross, incl. 19% VAT): 15,000 kWh → ~€52/year; 20,000 kWh → ~€69/year.
- • Grid fees rose 11.2% in 2026, eating roughly half the relief. Bigger savings come from switching providers (€200-500/year).
- • Storage May 2026: ~26% (Bundesnetzagentur dashboard). New November 1 target: 80% (down from 90%).
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Typical switching savings: €200-500/year (Verbraucherzentrale guidance).
What was the gas storage levy?
Germany introduced the gas storage levy (German: Gasspeicherumlage) on October 1, 2022, as an emergency response to the energy crisis after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The levy was collected by Trading Hub Europe (THE), the German gas market area manager, from every gas customer (households and businesses), distributed per kilowatt-hour consumed.
The rate changed every six months. It started at 0.059 ct/kWh in October 2022, climbed to 0.145 ct/kWh in late 2023, and peaked at 0.299 ct/kWh in early 2025. The final active rate (July to December 2025) was 0.289 ct/kWh, or €2.89/MWh. For a 20,000 kWh household, that was about €58 in just the last six months of 2025.
| Period | Rate (ct/kWh) | €/MWh |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2022 - Jun 2023 | 0.059 | €0.59 |
| Jul - Dec 2023 | 0.145 | €1.45 |
| Jan - Jun 2024 | 0.186 | €1.86 |
| Jul - Dec 2024 | 0.250 | €2.50 |
| Jan - Jun 2025 | 0.299 | €2.99 |
| Jul - Dec 2025 | 0.289 | €2.89 |
| 2026 onward | 0.00 | €0.00 |
When and why it was scrapped
The German federal government announced the end as storage levels stabilized. Process:
- November 6, 2025: The Bundestag (federal parliament) voted to amend the Energy Industry Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz).
- November 21, 2025: The Bundesrat (federal council) ratified.
- January 1, 2026: Effective date.
Sources: Bundesregierung.de press release and Verbraucherzentrale consumer guidance.
If Germany needs to refill storage in the future, it will no longer appear on your gas bill. Instead, the federal budget covers it through the Climate and Transformation Fund (Klima- und Transformationsfonds, KTF). Trading Hub Europe remains the market area manager but no longer collects the levy. The government estimates total annual relief at about €1 billion for households and €2 billion for industry.
How much you actually save
Savings depend on your annual gas use. Gross figures (including 19% VAT):
| Annual consumption | Annual savings (gross) |
|---|---|
| 10,000 kWh | ~€34 |
| 15,000 kWh | ~€52 |
| 20,000 kWh | ~€69 |
| 30,000 kWh | ~€103 |
Formula: consumption x 0.00289 € x 1.19 = gross savings. Now the reality check. The Bundesnetzagentur (federal network agency) confirmed in March 2026 that gas grid fees (Netzentgelte) rose 11.2% on average across Germany. Reasons: falling gas demand spreads fixed infrastructure costs over fewer users, and depreciation cycles have accelerated.
In practice: a 20,000 kWh household gains ~€69 from the levy ending, but loses ~€30-50 to higher grid fees. Net effect for most households: just €15-40/year. Headlines about "hundreds of euros" in savings are stretching the truth.
Where does the real saving come from? Switching providers. Existing contracts run 10.7-11.1 ct/kWh; new online tariffs start from 8.3-9.0 ct/kWh. On 20,000 kWh that's a €400-600 yearly difference (BDEW January 2026, Verivox May 2026).
What's still on your 2026 gas bill
The storage levy is gone, but the rest of your bill stays:
- Grid fees (German: Netzentgelte): transport costs for pipes and meters; up 11.2% in 2026, averaging ~2.5 ct/kWh.
- CO₂ price (BEHG, national emissions scheme): the 2026 fixed carbon price is €55/tonne (legal corridor €55-65). With the UBA emission factor 0.201 kg CO₂/kWh, this adds roughly 1.1 ct/kWh net, or ~1.3 ct/kWh gross.
- Conversion surcharge (German: Konvertierungsumlage): 0.018 ct/kWh in 2026 (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026 period).
- Balancing surcharge (German: Bilanzierungsumlage): 0.00 ct/kWh since October 2025.
- Energy tax (German: Erdgassteuer): around 0.55 ct/kWh, steady for years.
- Concession fee (German: Konzessionsabgabe): a municipal charge ranging 0.22-0.93 ct/kWh depending on town size.
- VAT (German: Mehrwertsteuer): 19% on gas (after the temporary 7% period from late 2022 through March 2024).
Mid-2026 a typical existing customer pays 10.7-11.1 ct/kWh gross (blended). Competitive new-customer offers start from 8.3-9.0 ct/kWh.
Storage levels in 2026: should you worry?
The Bundesnetzagentur dashboard shows Germany's gas storage at ~26% on May 1, 2026. Low, but explainable: an unusually cold January 2026 drew storage down hard, and mild February and March did not allow rapid refilling.
The legal framework (Gas Storage Act §35b EnWG, reformed for 2026):
- September 1: 75% fill
- October 1: 85%
- November 1: 80% (lowered from 90% in the 2026 reform)
- Strategic sites (Rehden, Bad Lauchstädt, etc.): at least 45% by Nov 1
The law runs through April 1, 2027. The EU Security of Supply regulation (2017/1938) still mandates 90% across the Union. Risk? An extreme winter could test the system. But Germany now operates multiple LNG terminals (Wilhelmshaven, Brunsbüttel, Stade, Mukran) and diversified suppliers (Norway, the United States, Qatar) provide a much stronger buffer than in 2022.
Switch providers to save more
The levy savings (~€69/year) are pocket change compared to a tariff switch. May 2026 numbers for a 20,000 kWh household:
- Basic tariff (German: Grundversorgung): ~13.6 ct/kWh gross → about €2,720/year
- Existing contracts: 10.7-11.1 ct/kWh → €2,140-2,220/year
- New customer online tariffs: 8.3-9.0 ct/kWh → €1,660-1,800/year
Moving from a basic tariff to a mid-range online offer can save €800-1,000/year on 20,000 kWh. Existing customers typically save €200-500. A 12-month price guarantee costs an extra 0.3-0.5 ct/kWh but covers only the working price (Arbeitspreis), not taxes, levies and grid fees.
For the full Germany gas-price picture, including regional differences and 2027 outlook, see our Germany Gas Prices 2026 - Complete Guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the gas storage levy really gone in 2026?
Yes. It ended on January 1, 2026. The Bundestag (federal parliament) voted to scrap it on November 6, 2025; the Bundesrat (federal council) ratified on November 21, 2025. Last active rate (Jul-Dec 2025) was 0.289 ct/kWh. Source: Bundesregierung.de and Verbraucherzentrale.
How much do I actually save?
For a typical 20,000 kWh household, savings are about €69/year (gross, including 19% VAT). The formula: annual consumption x 0.00289 € x 1.19. But grid fees (Netzentgelte) rose 11.2% in 2026, eating roughly half of the relief. Bigger savings come from switching tariffs (€200-500/year per Verbraucherzentrale).
Will gas storage costs reappear elsewhere on my bill?
No. If Germany needs to fund storage refills in future, the federal budget covers it through the Climate and Transformation Fund (Klima- und Transformationsfonds, KTF). Trading Hub Europe still manages the gas market area but no longer collects the levy.
Why did grid fees rise 11.2% in 2026?
It's a separate decision by the Bundesnetzagentur (federal network agency). Reasons: falling gas consumption spreads fixed infrastructure costs over fewer users, depreciation accelerates, new pipeline investments. Unrelated to the levy abolition.
Should I switch gas providers in 2026?
Yes, especially if you are on a basic tariff (Grundversorgung) or an old fixed contract. May 2026 figures: Grundversorgung ~13.6 ct/kWh, existing contracts 10.7-11.1 ct/kWh, new online tariffs 8.3-9.0 ct/kWh (BDEW Jan 2026 + Verivox May 2026). Switching can save €200-1,000/year on 20,000 kWh.
Is gas supply safe in 2026 without the levy funding storage?
Yes. The legal fill target dropped to 80% by November 1 (down from 90%). LNG terminals at Wilhelmshaven, Brunsbüttel, Stade and Mukran plus diversified suppliers (Norway, USA, Qatar) provide buffer capacity. Current level (May 2026) is around 26% per the Bundesnetzagentur dashboard - low for the season but expected to recover by autumn.