Around 600,000 households in Croatia are expected to pay higher natural gas bills when the heating season starts. The increase is linked to wholesale price movements that gradually feed into retail tariffs. Depending on the supplier, heating costs are projected to rise by around 7–8%.
Wholesale price increase and impact on household bills
Dalibor Pudić of the Croatian Gas Association said wholesale gas prices have risen by approximately €4/MWh. With VAT included, the increase is expected to affect household heating bills. For an average household consuming about 40 MWh of gas per year, this is estimated to add roughly €40 annually.
Potential support and energy efficiency measures
Energy analysts said the government could partially cushion the impact through financial support of around €15 million. The support would be intended to offset part of the increase for consumers. They also highlighted that households can reduce expenses through energy efficiency measures.
The analysts noted that lowering indoor temperatures by 1–2°C can significantly reduce gas consumption over the winter season. This guidance is presented alongside the expected tariff and bill changes tied to wholesale prices.
Heating costs and inflation outlook
The rise in heating costs may contribute to inflationary pressure in the coming months. This comes even though overall price growth has recently shown signs of easing. Preliminary data for June indicate annual inflation at 4.5%.
