Gas in Berlin has been about 22% more expensive since February, heating oil 74.9%: Why higher heating costs often don’t show up until the annual bill

Anyone heating an apartment in Berlin is paying significantly more than in February: The price of gas for Berlin households rose by about 22 percent between February and September 2026. This is shown by an energy price index for European capitals. Heating oil and fuels have risen even more sharply. Prices are also rising nationwide. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the inflation rate in Germany stood at 3.3 percent in September. This is the highest figure since December 2023. Destatis published the figures on October 13.

Energy products cost an average of 14.9 percent more in September than a year earlier. The increase is particularly pronounced for heating oil, which has risen in price by 74.9 percent. Fuel costs were 37.1 percent higher than in the same month last year.

So anyone who heats with oil or drives daily in Berlin is already feeling the impact at the gas pump or when placing their next order. The situation is different for natural gas and district heating: there, the additional costs often don’t become apparent until later.

Households in Germany are also paying a lot for electricity. According to an analysis by Verivox, the average electricity price for private households in the second quarter of 2026 was 35.6 cents per kilowatt-hour. Of the 144 countries and regions surveyed, only a handful have higher prices: Germany ranks fourth. Among the G20 countries, the price is the highest. The G20 average is around 16.3 cents—less than half of Germany’s rate.

The report illustrates this using the example of a middle-income family in Berlin. They spend about 3,500 euros a year on electricity, heating, and hot water—just under 300 euros a month. If prices continue to rise, this portion of the household budget will increase noticeably.

There’s also a timing issue: heating costs are usually billed only after consumption has taken place. The higher prices this fall therefore often don’t show up until the annual statement, perhaps as a back payment. Anyone planning their budget should factor these costs in now.