36.51 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity. That's the average price in 2025, and it's not going down. Even though wholesale prices have calmed since the 2022 shock, grid fees, CO₂ pricing, and government levies keep the bill high.
What Electricity and Gas Actually Cost
The energy bill stopped being a simple function of consumption a long time ago. Base fees, grid charges, and government levies create a fixed floor that hits regardless of whether you heat conservatively or not.
| Item | Single (low usage) | Family (high usage) | Price 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 40 – 44 EUR/month | 106 – 117 EUR/month | 36.51 ct/kWh |
| Natural gas | 59 EUR/month | 151 EUR/month | 13.98 ct/kWh |
| Water & waste | 20 EUR/month | 30 – 35 EUR/month | ~2.05 EUR/m³ |
For a family, that adds up to 280 to 300 EUR per month, just for basic utilities. That's more than the average household spends on leisure, sports, and culture combined (260 EUR).
The Carbon Price: A Quiet Cost Driver
The CO₂ price in 2025 is 55 EUR per ton. That sounds abstract until you do the math on your gas bill: roughly 1.19 cents per kilowatt-hour on top. For an annual consumption of 15,000 kWh (typical gas heating in an older building), that's close to 180 EUR per year. Just from the carbon levy.
Starting January 2026, the price goes up again. The effect on fuel: roughly 0.5% higher fuel costs. Sounds small, but it adds up over a year of commuting.
The goal behind it (climate neutrality) is the right one. But the path there has a price, and it shows up on your utility bill.
Deutschlandticket: 5 EUR More Starting 2026
The Deutschlandticket was a hit. 33% of public transit users have it. For 49 EUR a month, unlimited bus and train travel nationwide. An offer that actually worked.
In 2026, it's getting more expensive. Expected to go up to 54 EUR, which is 60 EUR more per year. Not a dealbreaker, but a signal: even subsidized mobility is gradually getting pricier.
