By CheckEverything.at Editorial Team · Updated 27 May 2026
Direct answer: What are the key gas topics for Austrian households in 2026?
Switching makes the biggest difference for households still on the default tariff (Grundversorger). According to the e-control price monitor, realistic annual savings sit in the low-to-mid three-digit range. Key rules: 14-day right of withdrawal (§ 11 FAGG), typical six-week notice period, guaranteed supply under GWG 2011. A "Preisgarantie" covers only the energy price – network fees and taxes can still change. Compare via the e-control Tarifkalkulator or durchblicker.at.
Key takeaways
- •Free choice of supplier since October 2002 – over 50 active providers
- •Continuous supply legally guaranteed under GWG 2011
- •14-day right of withdrawal on online sign-ups (§ 11 FAGG)
- •Standard reference consumption per e-control: 15,000 kWh/year
- •A price guarantee covers only the energy price, not network fees or taxes
- •Special cancellation right on price hikes – usually two weeks after notification
You have been allowed to choose your gas supplier in Austria since October 2002, but the process is in German and the small print is dense. This guide walks you through the switch in plain English: what you need, how cancellation works, what the 14-day cooling-off rule covers, and how to read the savings claims you see online. The figure of up to €1,300 you will see on durchblicker.at is their estimate – your real saving depends on how much gas you use and where you live.
When switching is worth it
Real savings, in context
durchblicker.at quotes up to €1,300 a year. The actual figure depends on how much you use and your network area – households on the standard tariff usually save the most.
Bonuses are real, but one-off
Switching bonuses and credits cut the first-year bill. They rarely repeat in year two, so look at the price after the bonus drops out.
Price guarantees have limits
A "Preisgarantie" usually freezes only the energy price. Network fees and taxes can still change.
Supply never stops
Austrian gas law (GWG 2011) requires uninterrupted supply – you keep getting gas while contracts swap behind the scenes.
Gas prices in Austria 2026
Reference figures for a household using 15,000 kWh per year (e-control benchmark). Actual prices depend on your network area, supplier and tariff.
How the switch works
Find your consumption
Annual gas usage in kWh sits on your last yearly bill (Jahresabrechnung). No bill at hand? E-control uses 15,000 kWh as the reference for a household with gas heating.
Compare tariffs
Use the e-control Tarifkalkulator or durchblicker.at. Postal code plus kWh shows you which suppliers actually serve your network area.
Pick a tariff
Look at the price after any bonus drops out. Note the contract term and whether the price guarantee covers only the energy component.
Sign up online
The new supplier handles the switch end-to-end: they cancel the old contract, register with the network operator (Netzbetreiber), and confirm the start date.
Submit the meter reading
On the switch day, take a photo of the meter and report the reading. That closes the previous contract cleanly.
What you will need
- Your last gas bill or annual statement
- Postal code and full delivery address
- Annual consumption in kWh
- Meter number (Zählernummer, printed on the bill)
- IBAN for direct debit
- Preferred start date (or "next possible date")
What to watch out for before you switch
The cheapest tariff at first glance is not always the cheapest after twelve months. These details matter more than they look on the comparison page:
Read the bonus correctly
A €100 one-off bonus drops the first-year bill noticeably. It does not repeat – always look at the price without the bonus.
Price guarantee is partial
A "Preisgarantie" usually fixes the energy component only. Network charges (Netzentgelte) and taxes can still move.
Mind the contract length
Lock-in periods over 12 months reduce flexibility. Shorter terms let you compare again next year.
Document the cancellation
Ask the new supplier for written confirmation that the old contract has been cancelled.
Curious what your network area actually pays? See our guide to Austrian gas network costs and our heating cost comparison for 2026.
Gas switching – common questions
How long does switching gas providers take in Austria?+
Usually four to eight weeks. The bottleneck is the notice period in your existing contract – six weeks before the contract anniversary is typical. The new supplier handles the paperwork. Supply continues without interruption, as required by the Austrian Gas Act (GWG 2011).
What is the notice period for my gas contract?+
It is set in your contract. Online sign-ups also come with a 14-day right of withdrawal under § 11 FAGG. If your supplier announces a price increase, you have a special right of cancellation – usually with a two-week window after the notification.
What happens if my new gas supplier goes out of business?+
You are automatically supplied by the default supplier (Grundversorger) for your network area. This safety net is written into the GWG 2011 and kicks in without paperwork. The default tariff is rarely the cheapest, so it is worth comparing again afterwards.
How many gas suppliers are active in Austria?+
According to e-control, around 50 natural-gas suppliers are active. How many actually serve your address depends on your network area. The current overview lives in the e-control Tarifkalkulator and the supplier list on e-control.at.
Is it worth switching every year?+
If you have a bonus or a price guarantee, compare again three months before it ends. Bonuses are almost always one-off. People who ignore that quietly slide into a follow-on tariff – usually pricier than the entry rate.
What durchblicker.at handles for you
Over 50 gas suppliers in one view
Around three minutes to fill in
New supplier cancels the old one
Comparison stays non-binding
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Figures and legal references in this guide come from official Austrian sources. As of May 2026.
Compare gas tariffs at durchblicker.at
Enter your postal code and yearly consumption – you will see the suppliers available in your network area, with bonuses and price guarantees laid out side by side. No registration needed.
Open the gas guide at durchblicker.atPrices and availability vary by region. As of April 2026. Source: e-control price monitor.