Electricity Bills to Rise Modestly in 2026 Despite Lower Wholesale Costs
Poland's energy regulator has approved 2026 electricity tariffs averaging 495 PLN per megawatt-hour, lower than 2025 levels, but household bills will still climb slightly due to distribution charges. The government is ending the electricity price freeze that protected consumers through September 2025.
The Good News: Supply Costs Down
Due to price decreases on the wholesale market relative to prices under long-term contracts concluded in 2024, electricity prices in suppliers' 2026 tariffs, approved by the President of URE, are lower than those for 2025, averaging PLN 495.16/MWh. This represents a genuine drop in the commodity cost that utilities pass through to households.
The Catch: Distribution Charges Rise
This group of customers will pay from PLN 17.16 more per year (for the smallest customers, usually households) to approximately PLN 96.48 per year (for larger households and most customers in the C tariff). The tariff decisions were issued on December 17, 2025, and covered all distribution system operators. These fixed network maintenance fees are climbing even as the electricity commodity itself falls.
What This Means for Expats
Your monthly electricity bill will be roughly flat or down slightly if you are a light consumer (1,500-2,500 kWh annually); heavier users in older flats may see a modest 50-100 PLN annual increase. The government is no longer freezing prices at 500 PLN/MWh as of October 2025, so bills will fluctuate with actual market rates—but the regulator's tariff structure shows no dramatic spike looming for 2026. If you're on a fixed-rate contract with a supplier, compare options; the wider the gap between cheapest and most expensive providers, the more you can save by switching.
Sources
MyHAbroad is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representing any government or public authority. This is general information only — not legal, tax, medical, or financial advice. Always verify with the official source before acting:
