Average electricity bill in Europe 2026 — by country, household size and season
The average EU household paid €1,400 for electricity in 2025 (Eurostat consumption band DC, 2,500–4,999 kWh/year), with country averages ranging from €700 in Bulgaria and Hungary to €2,100 in Germany. UK households averaged £1,580 at Ofgem's October 2025 cap. Figures rose modestly in 2026 H1 with the cold-weather premium pushing the EU average toward €1,500.
This page gives you the full per-country table for 2026, broken down by household size and dwelling type, plus how to benchmark whether your bill is reasonable for where you live.
Average annual bill by country (2026 estimate)
Based on Eurostat consumption-band DC (2,500–4,999 kWh/year — the most common household band) at 2026 H1 average retail rates including all taxes and grid fees.
| Country | €/kWh retail | 3,500 kWh/yr | 5,000 kWh/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €0.36 | €1,260 | €1,800 |
| Belgium | €0.34 | €1,190 | €1,700 |
| Italy | €0.32 | €1,120 | €1,600 |
| Netherlands | €0.30 | €1,050 | €1,500 |
| Ireland | €0.30 | €1,050 | €1,500 |
| UK | £0.27 | £945 | £1,350 |
| Austria | €0.27 | €945 | €1,350 |
| France | €0.22 | €770 | €1,100 |
| Spain | €0.21 | €735 | €1,050 |
| Portugal | €0.21 | €735 | €1,050 |
| Sweden | €0.18 | €630 | €900 |
| Norway | €0.16* | €560 | €800 |
| Finland | €0.17 | €595 | €850 |
| Poland | €0.18 | €630 | €900 |
| Czechia | €0.17 | €595 | €850 |
| Hungary | €0.10 | €350 | €500 |
| Bulgaria | €0.12 | €420 | €600 |
* Norway varies seasonally + by zone (NO1–NO5). The figure is post-strømstøtte support scheme average.
Average bill by household size
Eurostat's typical consumption brackets (2026 estimates):
| Household | kWh/year | EU avg bill |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person, flat (gas heating) | 1,500 | €420–€540 |
| 2 persons, flat (gas heating) | 2,500 | €700–€900 |
| 2–3 persons, small house | 3,500 | €980–€1,260 |
| 3–4 persons, medium house | 4,500 | €1,260–€1,620 |
| 4+ persons, large house, gas heating | 5,500 | €1,540–€1,980 |
| All-electric house, no heat pump | 8,000–12,000 | €2,240–€4,320 |
| Heat-pump house | 5,500–9,000 | €1,540–€3,240 |
Why bills vary so much between countries
The €1,400 EU average masks a 4× spread. Three things drive it:
- Generation mix. France's nuclear-heavy fleet keeps wholesale costs at €30–€80/MWh. Germany's gas-coupled merit order pushes wholesale to €60–€120/MWh. Spain pays the Iberian gas-cap premium when needed; Norway runs on hydro at €5–€60/MWh.
- Tax + grid fees. Germany's electricity tax + grid fees + EEG (legacy) add ~€0.18/kWh. France's TICFE + grid is ~€0.10/kWh. Norway's are minimal.
- VAT. Norway 25%, Spain/NL 21%, Germany 19%, Italy 10%, UK 5%.
For an always-fresh view of wholesale prices feeding into your bill, see live EU day-ahead prices for all 27 countries.
How yours compares — quick benchmarking
Take your last 12 months of bills, sum the kWh, divide by 12 to get a monthly figure. Then:
- If your home is gas-heated and you use 200–350 kWh/month: typical for an EU 2-person flat.
- If you use 350–500 kWh/month: typical for a 3–4-person house.
- If you use more than 700 kWh/month: either electric heating, EV charging, or a leaky house — investigate which.
Then take that consumption × your country's per-kWh from the table above. If your actual bill is >15% higher than the maths predicts, your supplier margin is high or you're on a bad tariff. 17 ways to lower your bill.
Seasonal swings
Northern Europe households see a 2–3× swing between summer and winter monthly bills. Southern Europe (where AC dominates) see the inverse: summer cooling spikes can push July/August bills above winter ones in Spain, Greece and southern Italy.
How euenergy calculates its averages
Per-country annual figures use Eurostat's Band DC (2,500–4,999 kWh) end-user prices including taxes and levies, multiplied by the 3,500 kWh and 5,000 kWh consumption points. Wholesale-market values pulled live from ENTSO-E. Last data update: April 2026.
FAQ
What's a normal electricity bill for a family of 4?
In the EU, around €1,260–€1,620 per year if gas-heated, €2,240–€3,240 if all-electric. Country matters — same family pays €1,800 in Germany or €1,050 in Spain.
Which country has the most expensive electricity in Europe?
Germany at €0.36/kWh average retail rate (2026 H1), driven by high tax + grid fees layered on top of moderate wholesale prices. Belgium and Italy are close behind.
Where is electricity cheapest in Europe?
Hungary (€0.10/kWh, government-capped), Bulgaria (€0.12/kWh), then Norway/Sweden/Finland Nordic-pool prices typically €0.16–€0.18/kWh including all fees.
Why is my bill higher than the average?
Three usual reasons: (1) electric heating in a poorly-insulated home, (2) you're on a default tariff that hasn't been compared in years, (3) supplier margin or fixed-rate hedge timed badly. Try our smart-hour tool to see what dynamic-tariff savings would look like for you.
How does the UK compare to the EU average?
The UK at £1,580 (Ofgem cap October 2025) sits in the EU mid-range — significantly above France/Spain, slightly below Germany/Belgium. UK has the highest standing charge in Europe (~£195/year) but lower per-kWh tax.
Sources: Eurostat — Electricity price statistics, Ofgem retail-market indicators, ENTSO-E Transparency Platform.