Household natural gas prices across the European Union fell to an average of €0.11 per kilowatt-hour in the first half of 2026, their lowest level since the first half of 2022, according to Eurostat.
The average declined by 10.2% compared with the second half of 2025 and by 3.5% year on year. Seasonal price fluctuations also returned to a pattern last seen before the 2022 energy crisis.
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Sweden Records The Highest Household Gas Prices
Gas prices varied significantly across the EU. Sweden recorded the highest rate at €0.22 per kWh, followed by the Netherlands at €0.16. France and Portugal each reported €0.13.
Hungary had the lowest price, at €0.03 per kWh, followed by Croatia (€0.05) and Romania and Slovakia (€0.06).
Prices Fell In 12 Member States
Compared with the first half of 2025, household gas prices fell in 12 EU countries, increased in seven and remained broadly stable in four, based on national currencies.
Bulgaria recorded the sharpest decline, at 14.5%, followed by Greece (11.3%) and Spain (10%). The largest increases were reported in Romania (9.3%), Croatia (8.9%) and Slovakia (6.6%).
Purchasing Power Changes The Ranking
Price comparisons also differ when adjusted for purchasing power standards (PPS), which account for differences in price levels between countries.
On this basis, Sweden remained the most expensive at 17.7 PPS per 100 kWh, followed by Portugal (15.0) and the Netherlands (13.8). Hungary recorded the lowest adjusted price at 4.3 PPS, ahead of Luxembourg (6.6) and Croatia (6.8).
The comparison shows that nominal prices alone do not fully reflect the relative burden of household energy costs across the EU.
