October 19, 2026, 1:01 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Anyone looking at their heating bill this year might find themselves shaking their head in disappointment. Not only are food prices and other costs steadily rising, but heating costs are also increasing. myHOMEBOOK lists the prices you should expect for natural gas, district heating, or heating oil.
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Heating Costs Continue to Rise
What was already evident in 2025 continues this year: Fossil fuels are becoming scarcer, and geopolitical conflicts make the supply of other energy sources critical. Leading the price increases are wood (pellets) and heating oil. Particularly cold winters drive costs up.
However, prices between the 2025 and 2026 billing periods fluctuate significantly. While heating oil remained at the same level for 2025, a price increase of nearly 25 percent is expected for 2026. These prices and fluctuations depend not only on the type of heating but also on the size of the living space and whether it is a single-family or multi-family home.
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Fluctuations Are Strongest in Multi-Family Homes
Residents in multi-family homes often rely on others to heat, hoping for lower costs for their own space. However, since it’s rare to completely forego heating, the actual heating days in one’s apartment quickly impact the wallet. Some energy sources will show higher costs in this year’s billing. myHOMEBOOK uses a typical 75-square-meter apartment in a multi-family home as an example.
Wood Prices Remain Noticeably High
According to analyses, wood prices for 2025 are 20 percent higher than the previous year. Forecasts suggest prices could rise by up to 17 percent for 2026. For average apartments in multi-family homes up to 75 square meters, this means more than 800 euros in heating costs for this year.
Also interesting: What are the firewood prices in 2026?
Heating Oil Significantly More Expensive in 2026
Many might catch their breath when it comes to heating oil. While the price level for 2025 remained similar to the 2024 billing, prices in multi-family homes could rise by nearly 24 percent.
Natural Gas Could Become Cheaper
Those who heated with natural gas in 2025 faced a price increase of about 15 percent compared to 2024. Although a price drop of up to four percent is expected for heating costs in 2026, this may be short-lived. Even if the gas storage levy is removed, reducing costs, prices could stabilize again by late 2026 and early 2027.
District Heating – Only Minor Adjustments
Those who heat with district heating can breathe a sigh of relief. Although there will be a slight price increase of 6 percent compared to the previous year, the overall price level will not rise as sharply as with other energy sources.
Costs for Heating with Heat Pumps Are Lowest
Those heating their multi-family home with a heat pump are among the winners in heating costs for 2026. Prices for an average apartment in a multi-family home are around 700 euros, the lowest among all energy sources, and heating costs increase by only about 3 percent compared to the previous year.
Also interesting: Is a heat pump worth it for my house?
In Single-Family Homes, One Energy Source Becomes a Cost Burden
Owners of single-family homes need to pay particular attention to heating costs. While wood prices have been steadily rising since 2025, heating oil prices are experiencing a dramatic increase. Costs rose by only about one percent between 2024 and 2025, but heating oil prices for 2026 could jump by up to 28 percent. This means hundreds of euros more per year for homeowners. Wood prices remain a significant drawback, contributing to a rise in costs for 2026. However, the price for natural gas could fall by up to five percent compared to the previous year.
Also interesting: How can I fill my oil tank as cheaply as possible?
Homeowners using district heating will also face price increases, but these remain similar to 2025 levels. Costs rose by about three percent then, and a one percent increase is expected for 2026.
Those heating their home with a heat pump still pay the least among the mentioned energy sources, even though prices are rising. Homeowners could pay up to three percent more in heating costs for 2026.