From 1 October 2026, France’s benchmark gas price, set by the energy regulator CRE, rises by 6.3%. Around 6 million households whose contracts are indexed to it will see their bills go up.

Key takeaways

• The benchmark price climbs from €172.05 to €182.88 per megawatt-hour including tax (about $196 to $208), up 6.3%.
• Only contracts indexed to the benchmark (about 6 million households) follow the rise automatically; fixed-price contracts keep their rate until the guarantee ends.
• A typical gas-heated home would pay about €1,990 a year (about $2,270), roughly €120 (about $135) more than at September prices.

What happened

On 10 September, the Commission de régulation de l’énergie (CRE), France’s independent energy regulator, published the benchmark gas price (prix repère) that applies in October. On average it reaches €182.88 per megawatt-hour including tax (about $208), compared with €172.05 (about $196) in September, an increase of 6.3%. Since France phased out regulated gas tariffs in 2023, this benchmark has served as the market’s reference point: many suppliers use it to index their offers, and it lets consumers compare prices.

According to the regulator, the rise reflects higher wholesale gas prices in August compared with July, since the benchmark is recalculated every month from the previous month’s market prices. According to the AFP news agency, Europe’s reference gas price (the Dutch TTF) has risen sharply since late February, against the backdrop of war in the Middle East.

In detail, the price per kilowatt-hour rises to €0.14557 including tax (about $0.166) for a household that heats with gas, and to €0.17832 (about $0.203) for a household that only uses gas for cooking and hot water. The benchmark annual standing charge is €360.79 (about $411) and €152.46 (about $174) respectively, including tax.

What it means for your money

Not every gas customer is affected in the same way. Only contracts indexed to the benchmark, about 6 million households according to the CRE, follow this increase automatically. Customers on a fixed-price offer keep their rate until the end of the period guaranteed by their contract.

A worked example at October prices (dollar figures at roughly $1.14 per euro):

• Gas-heated home using about 11,200 kWh a year: 11,200 × €0.14557 ≈ €1,630 of gas, plus €361 standing charge = about €1,990 a year (about $2,270). According to the comparison sites Selectra and Choisir.com, that is about €120 (about $135) more per year than at September’s price.
• Cooking and hot water only, about 4,000 kWh a year: 4,000 × €0.17832 ≈ €713, plus €152 standing charge = about €865 a year (about $985).

On average, the CRE estimates the effect of the increase at just over €5 including tax (about $6) on the October bill. The impact will be bigger in the winter months, when heating use soars.

What you can do

• Check your contract: look at your bill or online account to see whether your offer is indexed to the benchmark or fixed-price, and until when.
• Compare offers: the official comparison tool from France’s national energy ombudsman (energie-info.fr) shows whether a fixed-price offer or one cheaper than the benchmark is available. Switching supplier is free and does not interrupt your supply.
• Turn the heating down: according to ADEME, France’s ecological transition agency, heating 1°C less cuts heating consumption by about 7%. Aiming for 19°C (66°F) in living areas is a good reference.
• Check the energy voucher: if you are on a modest income, see whether you qualify for France’s chèque énergie on the official site chequeenergie.gouv.fr.

Sources

• AFP via Connaissance des Énergies: benchmark gas price to rise 6.3% on 1 October (French)
• Enerzine: gas price up 6.3% on 1 October 2026 (French)
• Selectra: gas prices in October 2026 (French)
• Choisir.com: gas price +6.3% on 1 October 2026 (French)
• Commission de régulation de l’énergie (CRE)
• ADEME Infos: tips to save energy (“1°C less heating = 7% less consumption”) (French)
• CaixaBank Research: EUR/USD FX flash, 29 September 2026 (exchange rate used for dollar conversions)

Written by The Daily Economy editorial team with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Read our editorial policy.