Germany’s 2027 default gas tariffs: EnBW, EWE and municipal utilities raise prices, adding €215 to €566 a year

What EnBW, EWE and municipal utilities have announced for 1 January

EnBW will raise gas prices in its default and replacement supply (Grundversorgung and Ersatzversorgung) by 8.4 per cent on 1 January 2027, taking the unit rate to 13.17 cents per kilowatt hour. EWE announced on 5 November a jump from 11.01 to 12.90 cents, and Stadtwerke Münster announced on 4 November a rise of 1.64 cents to 13.14 cents. Stadtwerke Hamm, in a notice dated 5 October, gives an increase of 2.68 cents, which for a household using 20,000 kilowatt hours amounts to 23.54 per cent. What a kilowatt hour of heat costs for each heating type is set out in the guide to heating costs.

Which households, landlords and small businesses the price letters affect

Those affected are customers on default tariffs and, at EnBW, also those in replacement supply. At 20,000 kilowatt hours, the published prices imply extra annual costs of around €215 at EnBW, €346 in Münster, €395 at EWE and €566 in Hamm. Small businesses using up to 10,000 kilowatt hours a year count as household customers under the EnWG (German Energy Industry Act). Landlords buying gas for a central heating system on a standard tariff must observe the principle of economic efficiency in operating costs (Section 556(3) BGB, the German Civil Code). EWE already adjusted its special tariffs on 4 November.

Why the steepest increase does not necessarily mean the highest price

Hamm reports the biggest rise but started from the lowest level of the four: at 20,000 kilowatt hours, the tariffs have so far cost around €2,400 to €2,560 a year and will in future cost around €2,770 to €2,970. What will count is euros per year at your own consumption.

EnBW cites a rise of around 150 per cent in gas since the start of the year and EWE a similar increase in forward prices, while default tariffs have so far passed on 8 to 24 per cent. That is the effect of long-term procurement, and it is a postponement, not protection: if prices stay high, more expensive volumes will gradually feed into the calculation. Note: Pedram Dadgar advises Green Contracting GmbH, which also offers heat supply as an alternative to a separate gas contract.

“Anyone reading only the percentage in the price letter compares the wrong thing, because heating costs in 2027 depend on unit rate, standing charge and how long the supplier’s cheaper procurement lasts.” — Pedram Dadgar, Strategic adviser to Green Contracting GmbH

What to do now

1. Watch for the letter by 20 November: default suppliers must announce changes at least six weeks in advance. For special contracts with a right to change prices, households must be informed at least one month ahead.
2. Calculate the new unit rate and standing charge in euros per year at your own consumption and compare them with other offers. You can terminate without notice with effect from the day of the increase (Section 5(3) GasGVV, Section 41(5) EnWG).
3. With fixed prices, check the term and the levy clause; landlords should document the comparison. In Hamm, according to the utility, switching to a special product limits the increase to €12.31 a month, but ties customers in for at least one year.