Average household electricity prices across the European Union edged lower in the first half of 2026, although costs remained significantly higher than before the energy crisis of 2022.
According to the latest figures published by Eurostat, the average price of electricity for EU households declined by 2.2% to €0.28 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), compared with €0.29 per kWh in the second half of 2025.
The reduction was accompanied by a modest decrease in the proportion of taxes and levies included in household electricity bills. Their share of the final price fell from 28.9% in the second half of 2025 to 28.4% during the first six months of 2026, a decline of 0.5 percentage points.
The figures are based on Eurostat's electricity price statistics, which provide an overview of developments in household energy costs across the EU.
Significant differences in electricity prices across Europe
Electricity prices continued to vary considerably between EU member states during the first half of 2026.
Six countries recorded household electricity prices exceeding €0.30 per kWh, while five reported prices below €0.20 per kWh.
Ireland had the highest average electricity price, at €0.39 per kWh. Germany and Belgium followed, with prices reaching €0.36 per kWh in both countries.
At the other end of the scale, Hungary recorded the lowest price at €0.11 per kWh. Malta and Bulgaria followed, with household electricity costing €0.13 per kWh in each country.
Year-on-year comparisons also revealed substantial differences in national price developments.
Romania experienced the sharpest increase, with household electricity prices climbing by 51.6% compared with the first half of 2025. Ireland recorded a 19.8% increase, while Finland saw prices rise by 18.4%.
Conversely, Denmark registered the most significant reduction, with electricity prices falling by 31.7%. Luxembourg followed with a decline of 24.1%.
Purchasing power reveals a different picture
When electricity prices are adjusted using purchasing power standards (PPS), the ranking of EU countries changes considerably.
Romania recorded the highest electricity costs relative to household purchasing power, at 46.9 PPS per 100 kWh. Poland ranked second, at 41.1 PPS, followed by Czechia at 34.3 PPS.
The lowest prices relative to purchasing power were observed in Malta, at 13.8 PPS per 100 kWh, followed by Hungary at 14.7 PPS and Luxembourg at 15.5 PPS.
The figures highlight the substantial differences in the affordability of household electricity across the European Union, despite the modest overall decline in average prices during the first half of 2026.
Source: Eurostat, household electricity price statistics. Dataset: nrg_pc_204. Photo by Kenueone, Wikimedia commons.
