Gas prices on exchanges have surged 120% in the past month, European storage facilities are at record lows, and the Croatian government has passed an emergency decision to inject an additional 1.16 billion kWh of gas underground. Here’s what’s happening and how much you’ll pay for heating this winter.
What Did the Government Decide?
On July 23, 2026, the government adopted the Decision on Securing Gas Reserves for the 2026/2027 Heating Season (NN 81/2026), with the following key details:
The guaranteed supplier (or a related company) must secure at least an additional 1,165,371,816 kWh of gas in the Okoli underground storage facility. This amount could roughly cover Croatia’s monthly needs during peak heating season.
Additionally, all storage users (energy companies, distributors) must fill their leased capacity to at least 85% by October 1, 2026. Only a 5 percentage point deviation is allowed.
Why This Matters
Because the numbers are alarming. According to Gas Infrastructure Europe (AGSI), as of mid-August 2026:
| Country | Storage Fill Level |
|---|---|
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | ~64% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ~50% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | ~42% |
Croatia is still above the European average, but 20 percentage points below levels from the same period in previous years. Germany and the Netherlands are at historic lows — they’ve never had less gas in storage at this time of year.
Exchange prices have exploded as a result: +120% in one month. A cold winter, combined with these low European reserves, could create a perfect storm for energy prices.
What This Means for Your Bill
The current gas price for households in Croatia ranges from €0.44 to €0.48 per kWh, depending on the distributor. But starting in October, a new tariff model is expected to increase bills by 7-8%.
This means an average household consuming about 10,000 kWh annually for heating, cooking, and hot water will pay approximately €5,000 per year instead of the current ~€4,600 — or about €415 per month through the winter season.
If the winter is exceptionally cold, the increase could be even higher.
Will the Government Subsidize?
The decision provides that the state will cover justified and documented costs of implementing the measure — including the difference between purchase and market sale prices of gas and storage costs. Funds will be secured in the 2027 state budget.
However, the question remains whether the end-user price for households will also be subsidized. Last year, the government subsidized prices, but with budget constraints this year, it’s uncertain whether that will be repeated.
The Deadline You Can’t Miss
October 1, 2026 — by this date, all storage users must reach 85% fill levels. PSP d.o.o. (the storage operator) is required to report fill levels to the Ministry of Economy every 7 days.
If the target isn’t met, the Intervention Plan for Gas Supply Security Measures (NN 52/25) kicks in, which includes additional measures — including potential consumption restrictions.
What You Can Do
- Check with your distributor — ask if and how much prices will rise from October
- Consider fixing your price — some suppliers offer fixed-price contracts for 12 months
- Invest in energy efficiency — better insulation, smart thermostats, window replacement — all reduce consumption and save money long-term
- Stay informed — if the government announces subsidies, apply on time
Conclusion
The government has taken concrete steps to secure enough gas for winter. But that doesn’t mean your bills will stay the same. Exchange prices are surging, European storage is emptier than ever, and Croatia’s is at only 64% — better than Germany, but far from the safe zone.
Follow Prafin — we’ll update you as soon as new information arrives on prices, subsidies, and your consumer rights.
Sources: Narodne novine 81/2026, Zakon.hr, Gas Infrastructure Europe (AGSI), Lidermedia, Net.hr
Processed: August 31, 2026