Originally, the gas levy was to apply on October 1st. But shortly before the start, the federal government is apparently backing down. The end of the levy could take place in the next few days. Basic suppliers had already raised prices or announced adjustments because of the gas surcharge. FOCUS online says what affected gas households have to consider.
The gas surcharge was supposed to be introduced on October 1st. Affected gas households should pay for the first time from October 31st at the earliest.
Private households and companies should pay the gas surcharge to support energy companies that now have to buy more expensively in other markets due to the failure of Russian gas imports.
The federal government is currently still examining whether the surcharge is permissible at all after Uniper’s nationalization. Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) had expressed doubts. At the weekend, Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner also said that given the additional costs for citizens and companies, the “question of economic sense” arises.
SPD leader Saskia Esken even went one step further and, in an interview, expected the end of the levy to be in the current week.
In the past few weeks and months, several municipal utilities had increased the prices hefty and justified this price adjustment with the gas surcharge.
If the gas surcharge is dropped, customers do not have to pay it.
Those affected should request a new advance payment and have the composition explained to them – ideally this is done in writing. They also have to check incoming invoices more closely. Which working price is charged and is the adjustment justified? In principle, the gas surcharge would have to be deducted if it ceased to exist.
Households also have time to adapt. Basic suppliers must announce new tariffs at least six weeks in advance.
FOCUS online advises: read the gas meter every 30 days to know the average consumption.
Energy has never been as expensive as it is now. But instead of panicking, you should calmly check potential savings at home. As our guide shows, there are many of them.
In the past few weeks and months, several municipal utilities had increased their prices and justified this price adjustment with the gas levy. Now the suppliers could send letters to their customers again.
Gas providers could run through two scenarios.
Scenario 1: It is possible that the gas surcharge will be deducted from the energy price and thus from the monthly payment.
Scenario 2: The gas surcharge is simply referred to as a price adjustment. As a result, customers pay the previously announced discount.
Both scenarios are possible.
In the event of price increases, those affected must question whether the gas supplier is allowed to adjust the prices at all. If a price guarantee was agreed when the contract was concluded, the gas supplier may not increase it.
Most likely.
There are doubts not only within the federal government.
Associations, consumer centers and the economy are up in arms against Habeck’s initiative. The Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW) only pushed for a waiver at the weekend. “We have repeatedly listed the various shortcomings of the introduction of a gas levy, particularly from the point of view of medium-sized companies,” said Markus Jerger, Managing Director of the association, to the “Handelsblatt”.
Also read:
