Average prices for electricity and natural gas supplied to households in the European Union fell during the first half of this year; however, Romania saw the largest increases in both categories, according to data published by Eurostat on Friday.
The data shows that, in the first half of this year, the average price of electricity supplied to EU households dropped by 2.2%-from 0.29 euros per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the second half of last year to 0.28 euros per kWh.
Among EU member states, electricity prices for household consumers vary significantly, ranging from 0.11 euros per kWh in Hungary to 0.39 euros per kWh in Ireland, according to Agerpres.
In the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2023, electricity prices (in national currency) saw the sharpest rise in Romania, with an increase of 51.6%. Significant hikes were also recorded in Ireland (19.8%) and Finland (18.4%). Conversely, other countries experienced notable decreases, most notably in Denmark (down 31.7%) and Luxembourg (down 24.1%).
When expressed in Purchasing Power Standard (PPS) terms, electricity prices are highest for households in Romania (46.9 per 100 kWh), Poland (41.1), and the Czech Republic (34.3). The lowest prices, expressed in PPS, were recorded in Malta (13.8), Hungary (14.7), and Luxembourg (15.5).
The situation is similar for natural gas. In the first half of this year, the average prices paid by households in the EU fell to 0.11 euros per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Prices decreased by 10.2% compared to the second half of 2025 and by 3.5% compared to the first half of last year.
Among the member states, gas prices for household consumers vary significantly-ranging from 0.03 euros per kWh in Hungary, 0.05 euros per kWh in Croatia, and 0.06 euros per kWh in Romania, up to 0.22 euros per kWh in Sweden.
In the first half of this year, compared to the first half of 2025, gas prices fell in 12 member states, rose in seven countries, and remained stable in four states. The largest increases were recorded in Romania (9.3%), Croatia (8.9%), and Slovakia (6.6%). Conversely, the most significant decreases were recorded in Bulgaria (down 14.5%), Greece (down 11.3%), and Spain (down 10%).