Electricity Price Cap Ended: What Applies in Austria in 2026

Direct Answer

Austria's electricity price cap (Strompreisbremse) expired on 31 December 2024 — and on 30 June 2025 for businesses. In 2026 it is no longer in force. What households now face is the full electricity tax (with a partial reduction announced during 2026), regular grid fees, and ongoing CO₂ pricing. To reduce the bill in 2026, switching provider, applying for the social tariff (if eligible) and lowering consumption are the working levers. Sources: E-Control, BMF, AK Österreich.

TL;DR

• The Strompreisbremse expired on 31 December 2024. There is no decision to reintroduce it in 2026.
• 2026 main cost drivers: higher grid fees, full electricity tax, ongoing CO₂ pricing.
• Switching provider remains the single most effective lever — the energy component is the only negotiable part of the bill.
• Low-income households should check the social tariff and energy cost subsidy.
• Reliable sources: E-Control tariff calculator, AK Österreich, BMF.

The Strompreisbremse was a key relief measure for Austrian households in 2023 and 2024. Since it expired on 31 December 2024, households have paid the full market price plus taxes and grid fees again. This guide explains what actually applies in Austria in 2026, how an electricity bill is built up, and which legal levers households still have. All statements are based on publicly available information from E-Control, the Ministry of Finance (BMF) and the Chamber of Labour (AK Österreich).

What the Strompreisbremse was — and why it ended

The Strompreisbremse was a time-limited subsidy from the federal government. It capped the energy component of the electricity price for private households at 10 cents per kilowatt-hour (net) for consumption up to 2,900 kWh per year. The federal budget covered the market price above the cap. The legal basis was the Stromkostenzuschussgesetz (SKZG).

The SKZG expired on 31 December 2024, ending the subsidy for private households. Businesses and farmers with main residence at the business location had an extended deadline until 30 June 2025. The Ministry of Finance reasoning: wholesale prices had normalised after the 2022 energy shock, so a blanket subsidy was no longer proportionate.

How an Austrian electricity bill breaks down in 2026

An Austrian electricity bill in 2026 still consists of three main blocks: energy component, grid fee and taxes/levies. Only one of these can be influenced directly by switching provider.

Source: E-Control, standard Austrian electricity bill structure. The shares vary by tariff and consumption.

What applies instead of the Strompreisbremse in 2026

Higher grid fees

E-Control has published the system usage charge adjustments for 2026. The development is regional rather than uniform; it is driven mainly by investments in the electricity network for the energy transition and by inflation adjustment. The decisive numbers are in the published tariff sheets of your regional grid operator. A blanket percentage would be misleading.

Electricity tax (Elektrizitätsabgabe)

The electricity tax is back at full rate in 2026. According to the Parliamentary Budget Office and Austrian daily-press coverage, a partial reduction of the electricity tax is planned during 2026 to relieve households. The exact decision and effective date can be tracked via the Ministry of Finance and the parliamentary procedure.

Renewables levy and eco-charges

The renewables levies are recalibrated annually. The current values are published in the Federal Law Gazette and at e-control.at.

CO₂ pricing

Austria's national CO₂ pricing continues in 2026. From 2027 it will be replaced by the EU-wide Emissions Trading System ETS-2. The exact impact on the electricity price depends on the generation mix and the final ETS-2 design.

What households can actually do in 2026

1. Check your provider — do not just stay with the default supplier

The single most effective lever against high electricity costs in 2026 is still switching provider. The energy component is the only part of the bill you can negotiate. Anyone who has stayed with the default supplier since the Strompreisbremse often pays well above the 2026 market average.

A structured approach:

1. Find your last annual bill — note your annual consumption in kWh and your current unit price.
2. Locate your meter point number on the bill (33-digit code, starting with AT in Austria).
3. Use our Electricity provider comparison Austria 2026 guide to see the current market.
4. Follow the steps in How to switch electricity provider in Austria — the switch is free of charge and the new provider handles the cancellation.
5. Look at the total cost, not just the unit price. Standing charge, bonuses and contract duration all count.

2. Check the social tariff and energy cost subsidy

For low-income households, 2026 offers targeted relief measures beyond the Strompreisbremse. Details and application paths are summarised in our guide on the Social electricity tariff in Austria 2026. Responsibilities are split between E-Control, AK Österreich and the Ministry of Social Affairs.

3. Analyse consumption honestly

The energy component drops linearly with every kilowatt-hour saved — and that takes effect on the current bill, not just on the next contract.

4. Medium- to long-term: efficiency and self-generation

If you are already planning investments in 2026 or 2027, build energy efficiency into the decision. The main angles:

• Switch consistently to LED lighting; retire halogen fittings.
• Read your smart-meter data — most grid operators provide hourly values in the customer portal.
• Evaluate photovoltaic systems with or without storage; federal subsidies via the Climate and Energy Fund continue in 2026.
• Replace electric heating with a heat pump, depending on the building envelope and a possible thermal renovation.
• Thermal renovation: federal and provincial subsidies, applications via the relevant Land government.

Where to get reliable 2026 information

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

When exactly did the Strompreisbremse end?

For private households on 31 December 2024. For businesses and farmers whose main residence is at the business location, an extended deadline applied until 30 June 2025. Legal basis: the Stromkostenzuschussgesetz (SKZG). Confirmed by BMF and E-Control.

Will it be reintroduced in 2026?

No. As of the editorial cut-off of this guide (27 May 2026), no government decision to reintroduce it exists. Instead, the federal government has communicated a partial reduction of the electricity tax during 2026 plus targeted measures for low-income households.

How much higher is the 2026 bill without the cap?

There is no reliable lump-sum figure. The additional burden depends on location (grid operator), annual consumption and tariff. For a serious estimate, use the E-Control tariff calculator and compare against your last annual bill.

How much can switching really save in 2026?

The energy component is the only block of the 2026 bill you can influence. Anyone still in a 2024 default-supplier tariff can usually lower the energy component by switching. The actual saving depends on the starting tariff — the tariff calculator shows it individually.

Are there government support programmes for the electricity bill in 2026?

Yes, but targeted rather than universal. Eligible households may apply for the social tariff, the GIS exemption used as energy cost subsidy, and certain hardship funds. Details and application routes run through E-Control, AK Österreich and the Ministry of Social Affairs.

2026 checklist

1. Have your last electricity bill at hand — note annual consumption in kWh.
2. Locate the meter point number (33 digits, starts with AT).
3. Use the E-Control tariff calculator for a neutral market overview.
4. Compare total cost (unit price + standing charge + bonuses).
5. Check contract terms — duration, cancellation period, price guarantee.
6. Switch if the offer is attractive (the new provider handles cancellation).
7. Low income: check social tariff and energy cost subsidy.
8. Identify energy guzzlers — standby, hot water, old large appliances.
9. Diarise a yearly review — many new-customer bonuses only apply for 12 months.

Conclusion

The Strompreisbremse ended on 31 December 2024 — it is not back in 2026. What matters in 2026 is initiative on your side: review your provider, look honestly at consumption, and use means-tested support if you qualify. Austria's electricity market still has working competition, and the energy component remains the only part of the bill you can move yourself. Doing nothing in 2026 most likely means paying more than necessary.

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Sources: E-Control (e-control.at), Austrian Ministry of Finance (bmf.gv.at), Chamber of Labour (arbeiterkammer.at), Parliamentary Budget Office (parlament.gv.at), durchblicker.at.

As of: 27 May 2026. All information is general and does not replace individual advice. Authoritative are the current publications of the responsible authorities and your regional grid operator. Without warranty.

About the author: Daniel Steiner is the energy editor at CheckEverything.at. He has been tracking Austrian energy price developments since 2022, focusing on electricity and gas tariffs, E-Control regulation, and household energy relief measures.