With the increase in VAT, gas customers have to dig deeper into their pockets. Experts give tips on how consumers can still save money.
Munich – Since April, consumers have had to prepare for rising gas prices. The temporary VAT cut, in effect since the start of the Ukraine war, ended in March. Prices are expected to rise by 11 percent, which could mean an additional burden of hundreds of euros on households in 2024. To avoid high estimates, energy experts recommend that consumers report the current status of their gas meter to their provider.
Gas prices have increased since April – experts advise reading the meter reading immediately
At the beginning of April, the tax relief decided by the traffic light coalition during the energy crisis was repealed. For gas customers in Germany, this means that VAT has increased from 7 to 19 percent from April 1st. Despite the significant increase in gas prices from April, there are ways to save money, says energy expert Lundquist Neubauer from the comparison portal Verivox to
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“If you haven’t done so yet, you should definitely read the current gas meter reading this week – and report the meter reading to the gas supplier, either online or in the classic way via email or telephone,” advises Neubauer. This ensures that consumption is charged at the previous, tax-deferred price. “If the meter reading is not reported, the utility can estimate consumption – which can lead to a significantly higher price.”
Gas is more expensive again: submit meter readings in April
Normally the meter reading is read once a year by the energy supplier or transmitted by the consumer himself. On this basis, the actual consumption is calculated and the annual bill is created. This year, however, it is best to read the meter reading in April and inform your energy supplier of the value, the Lower Saxony Consumer Center also recommends.
Because prices will rise anyway. The comparison portal Check24 also warns: The increase in VAT on gas will result in additional costs of an average of 231 euros for a family with a consumption of 20,000 kWh. A household of four currently pays an average of 2,059 euros for gas. The increase could result in an average cost of 2,290 euros for gas. A single person with a consumption of 5,000 kWh has to pay an average of 70 euros more per year due to the increase in VAT.
In some cases it makes sense to change provider
Steffen Suttner, Managing Director of Energy at Check24, says: “The increase in VAT on gas from seven to 19 percent will significantly increase energy costs for consumers from April.”
But there is also positive news: “At the same time, gas purchase prices have been falling for months. This is primarily passed on to the new customer prices,” said Verivox expert Neubauer in an interview with fr.de. “Consumers can save hundreds of euros by switching contracts.” This particularly affects customers in basic services who have not yet received the lower prices. “About one in four households are on this tariff and pay too much,” says Neubauer. “The blessing in disguise: These customers can switch from their unfavorable tariff to a cheaper alternative tariff at any time.”
According to experts, there are gas price differences between tariffs of up to 37 percent
“The full VAT rate will suddenly increase the price of gas by eleven percent, and customers will not have a special legal right of termination as a result of the change,” explains Neubauer, “but they can check their contract at an early stage and find a favorable tariff. There is currently an average of 37 percent between the expensive basic supply and cheap gas tariffs.”
Check24 expert Steffen Suttner also knows that the gas prices of alternative providers have fallen significantly more than those of basic suppliers: “The prices for new customers are cheaper than they have been for a long time. Customers should check, compare and change their energy contracts. Families can save over a thousand euros per year.”