Relief for the citizens

At the end of September, the federal government overturned the gas levy. Accordingly, it has not been added to gas prices since October, but every gas supplier is allowed to increase its prices. In the event of a price increase, consumers should check whether other suppliers or the basic supply are cheaper. In that case, they can make use of their special right of termination.
In addition, the Bundestag has passed a tax cut: As things stand at present, the value-added tax on all gas consumption is to be reduced from 19 to seven per cent. This is to apply until March 2024 and also applies to district heating.

Gas price brake: proposals made

To implement the gas price brake, an appointed group of experts submitted proposals on 10 October. Since then, they have been discussed in the Bundestag. Among other things, the proposals were that the state should take over the December instalment payment for buildings with gas heating or district heating. This would apply to private households and small and medium-sized enterprises. From March 2023, the gas price brake would then apply, capping prices at 12 cents per kilowatt hour up to a certain level of consumption. For district heating customers, a heat price brake with a cap of 9.5 cents per kilowatt hour is to apply according to the same scheme. When a decision will be made in this regard and in what form the gas price brake will ultimately be implemented is currently still open.