Grid fees (Netzentgelte) for 2027 are a fixed part of your electricity bill. You pay them for the transport of power through the networks, and this item is in focus for 2027 because press reports say the federal subsidy for transmission network costs is set to shrink. This guide shows which figures are confirmed, what they mean for households, and where the numbers are still open.
Short answer: According to a report dated 27 July 2026, the federal government plans a subsidy of 5.5 billion euros for transmission network costs in 2027, compared with 6.5 billion euros for 2026. According to a market calculation cited in the report, this raises grid fees by around 0.25 cent per kWh net, or about one percent of the total electricity price. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- The subsidy for transmission network costs is expected to be 5.5 billion euros in 2027. For 2026, 6.5 billion euros had been planned.
- The cut is therefore 15 percent. The report names neither a law nor a formal decision for it.
- A market calculation cited in the report expects grid fees to rise by 0.25 cent per kWh on average, net of VAT.
- The report gives additional costs of between 5 and 12 euros per year for households, depending on household size and consumption.
- According to the report, the provisional grid fees for 2027 were due to be published on 1 October 2026. Your grid operator and your electricity supplier determine what appears on your actual bill.
What are grid fees, exactly?
Grid fees are the charge for using the electricity networks. The transmission network carries power over long distances, while the distribution networks bring it into homes and buildings. Operators finance construction, operation and expansion of these networks through fees that your electricity supplier passes on to you. How large this share is depends on the grid area and on your consumption.
A current breakdown of the electricity price comes from the 2026 price analysis of the German industry association BDEW, published in October 2026. It refers to an annual consumption of 3,500 kWh and to new-customer tariffs as of 1 October 2026. The figures show how widely the costs are spread across the bill.
How is the electricity price made up?
| Component | Cent per kWh | Share of price |
|---|---|---|
| Procurement and sales | 15.4 | 41.4 percent |
| Grid fees | 9.2 | 24.8 percent |
| Taxes, levies and surcharges | 12.6 | 33.8 percent |
| Average price according to the analysis | 37.3 | rounding differences possible |
Compared with the previous year, grid fees fell by 1.7 cent per kWh. The block of taxes, levies and surcharges stayed unchanged. The fall in network costs in 2026 is therefore no sign that they cannot rise in 2027. Both statements refer to different years and come from different sources.
How does the federal subsidy relate to grid fees?
The federal subsidy relieves the transmission networks of part of their costs. If the subsidy becomes smaller, network operators have to cover the missing amount in other ways. According to the report, 5.5 billion euros are planned for 2027, compared with 6.5 billion euros for 2026. That corresponds to a cut of 15 percent.
Whether and to what extent the cut is implemented will only become clear through official decisions. The report names the federal government as the originator of the cut but does not mention a specific law or decision. Binding information can be found with the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) and with your responsible grid operator (in German).
What does this mean for your electricity bill?
The report gives calculated additional costs for typical households. The table shows these values and the assumption behind them, so you can check the numbers yourself.
| Household | Annual consumption | Additional costs according to the report |
|---|---|---|
| Three people | 4,000 kWh | 12 euros |
| Couple | 2,800 kWh | 8 euros |
| Single | 1,500 kWh | 5 euros |
Assumption: A rise of 0.25 cent per kWh net gives about 10 euros at 4,000 kWh. Adding 19 percent VAT makes this roughly 12 euros. For a single household with 1,500 kWh the arithmetic gives about 4.50 euros, which the report rounds up to 5 euros. Your actual bill may differ because tariffs and grid areas vary. A comparison therefore always makes sense against your own annual statement, which you can match with last year’s consumption.
Can the electricity price still rise in 2027?
Yes, the price can rise even though some components fall. Grid fees are only one building block of the bill. If they rise while procurement or taxes stay the same, the total becomes higher. Conversely, a falling network share can be offset by rising procurement costs. The grid fee figure alone therefore does not show whether your electricity becomes more expensive in 2027.
For students and tenants, the key question is whether the electricity contract allows a price adjustment. A separate guide covers notice periods and rights in case of price increases; you will find it in the list below (in German).
Which figures for 2027 are still open?
- The provisional grid fees for 2027. According to the report, they were due to be published on 1 October 2026. You can find the official version with the Federal Network Agency and your grid operator.
- The estimate by the steel industry of around 50 million euros in additional grid costs per year. It comes from industry representatives and is not an official figure.
- The BDEW demand to cut the electricity tax from 2.05 cent to 0.1 cent per kWh. This is a demand and not an adopted position.
Frequently asked questions
Will grid fees fall or rise in 2027?
For 2027, the market calculation cited in the report expects an average rise of 0.25 cent per kWh net. According to the BDEW, grid fees for 2026 were in contrast 1.7 cent per kWh lower than in the previous year. Both figures describe different periods and sources, so they should not be offset against each other.
Does the cut apply from January 2027?
The report links grid fees to the period from 1 January 2027. Whether and how the cut is implemented depends on a procedure that the report does not describe in detail. Official determinations are binding, not press reports.
Can I do anything about rising grid fees?
The grid operator sets the grid fees, and you pay them through your electricity supplier. Your influence lies mainly in your tariff. Check the contract term, any price guarantee and the rules on price adjustments in the terms and conditions. If your supplier raises prices, the notice periods help you decide what to do next.
Why does the federal subsidy matter for households?
The subsidy lowers the costs that feed into grid fees. The smaller it is, the larger the amount that has to be covered through the fees. A cut therefore works indirectly, but it is noticeable for every household once it reaches the grid fees.
How to proceed now
- Check your electricity bill for the share that covers network usage. Many suppliers list it separately.
- Review your contract term and the rules on price adjustments in the terms and conditions.
- Compare your price per kWh with the average from the BDEW analysis to place your tariff in context.
- Keep an eye on the publication of the provisional grid fees for 2027 and check your next statement afterwards.
Related guides
- Climate, energy and costs 2027: The overview for tenants and students
- Calculating electricity costs: From appliance to monthly amount
- Power guzzlers at home: Which appliances cost the most
- Special termination of an electricity contract: Notice periods and rights
- Saving Electricity as a Student: Energy and Utility Costs
Sources: Stromnetze 2027: Bundesregierung kürzt Zuschuss um 15 Prozent, press report of 27 July 2026 (in German) and BDEW electricity price analysis, status October 2026 (in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
