Best Energy Providers in Austria (2026)
Updated: July 16 2026| Found helpful by 20 others
OMV is Austria's largest integrated energy company, an ATX-listed oil, gas, and chemicals group supplying customers and industry across the country. EVN dominates Lower Austria for electricity and gas, while Energie Graz is the Graz municipal utility, Energie Steiermark serves the wider Styria region, and TIWAG is Tyrol's dominant hydropower utility. VERBUND is Austria's largest electricity generator, running on 100 percent hydropower. Switching supplier takes around 3 weeks and typically saves €200 to €500 per year. Compare tariffs for free on the E-Control Tarifkalkulator.
Sorting changes the order of the provider cards below.
Our overall pick below is OMV, from 1. OMV.
1. OMV
Austria's largest energy company by revenue with ATX listing, integrated oil-gas-chemicals footprint, and extensive retail fuel network.
- Price
- No residential electricity tariff
- Contract
- Not available to households
- Green energy
- Oil, gas, and chemicals focus
- Area served
- Austria and Central Europe
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Austria's largest energy company by revenue
- ATX-listed with strong capital base and transparency
- Extensive Austrian retail fuel and service station network
Cons
- Not a residential electricity supplier, so not on E-Control
- Household relevance is mainly fuel and natural gas
Best for Customers and partners looking for Austria's largest integrated oil, gas, and chemicals group
2. EVN
Best regional utility in Lower Austria for combined electricity-and-gas with PV and heat pump financing.
- Price
- ~10 ct/kWh net (Optima Garant)
- Contract
- Fixed, 12-month guarantee
- Green energy
- PV solutions offered
- Area served
- Lower Austria
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Electricity and gas from one provider
- Good PV and heat pump financing options
- Solid solvency and long local presence
Cons
- Regional focus, limited outside Lower Austria
- German-only customer service
Best for Lower Austrian residents who want a regional utility with electricity and gas bundled
3. Energie Graz
Default Graz utility bundling electricity, gas, and district heating with strong local Styrian renewable investment.
- Price
- ~11.2 ct/kWh net (fixed)
- Contract
- Fixed-price tariff
- Green energy
- Local renewable generation
- Area served
- Graz and surroundings
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Default provider for most Graz households
- Bundles electricity, gas, and district heating
- Reliable customer service via local branches
Cons
- Tariffs rarely top the E-Control rankings
- German-only interface and documentation
Best for Graz residents who want a city-owned utility with strong local presence and green tariffs
4. VERBUND
Cheapest 100 percent UZ 46-certified Austrian hydropower available nationwide, often beats default regional utilities.
- PriceBest
- ~9.5 ct/kWh net (Österreich-Tarif)
- Contract
- Fixed, 12-month guarantee
- Green energy
- 100% hydropower (UZ 46)
- Area servedBest
- Nationwide
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Competitive pricing versus default regional utilities
- Austria's largest electricity producer
- Strong sustainability and transparency reporting
Cons
- No gas offering, electricity only
- Customer service predominantly in German
Best for Customers who want 100 percent Austrian hydropower at a competitive price, available nationwide
5. Wien Energie
Default Vienna utility for instant supply on move-in, bundling electricity, gas, and district heating with strong solar and wind investment.
- Price
- ~9.99 ct/kWh net (OPTIMA)
- Contract
- Fixed, 12-month guarantee
- Green energy
- 100% renewable
- Area served
- Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Default provider for most Vienna apartments, easy onboarding
- Bundled electricity, gas, and district heating
- Reliable customer service and good digital portal
Cons
- Tariffs rarely the absolute cheapest on E-Control
- Default tariff should be re-checked annually
Best for Vienna residents who want one local provider for electricity, gas, and district heating
6. Energie AG Oberösterreich
Leading utility in Upper Austria with competitive Ökostrom tariffs and bundled electricity-and-gas options.
- Price
- ~10 ct/kWh net (Feel Good)
- Contract
- Fixed, 12-month guarantee
- Green energy
- Ökostrom tariffs available
- Area served
- Upper Austria
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Leading utility in Upper Austria
- Solid digital customer portal
- Bundled electricity and gas available
Cons
- No dynamic tariff option
- German-only interface and documents
Best for Upper Austrian households who want a regional utility with strong local presence
7. KELAG
Strongest hydropower profile from Carinthian rivers with popular heat pump and PV financing packages.
- Price
- ~9.90 ct/kWh net (Bonus)
- Contract
- 12-month intro price
- Green energy
- Carinthian hydropower
- Area served
- Carinthia and parts of Styria
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Electricity, gas, and district heat bundles
- Reliable local customer service
- Popular heat pump and PV financing packages
Cons
- Less competitive on E-Control rankings nationally
- Limited digital self-service features
Best for Carinthian and East Styrian residents who want a regional utility with strong green credentials
Based on market share, price competitiveness, green-energy credentials, and customer service, these are the leading Austrian energy providers in 2026.
Top 5 Electricity Tariffs in Austria at a Glance (2026)
| Tariff (Provider) | Price (ct/kWh) | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPTIMA Entspannt plus (Wien Energie) | 9,99 netto (Wien Energie, 2026) | Fixed, 12-month Preisgarantie, 12-month Bindung | Vienna default with price security |
| Strom Preisfix (Salzburg AG) | 9,9 netto (Durchblicker, 2026) | Fixed, Preisgarantie to mid-2028, Bindung | Longest price lock |
| VERBUND Strom (VERBUND) | from ~14,13 brutto (Selectra, 2026) | Fixed, 12-month Preisgarantie | 100 percent Austrian hydropower, nationwide |
| HOURLY (aWATTar) | EPEX spot +1,5, no Grundpreis (aWATTar, 2026) | Dynamic (hourly), no Bindung | EV and heat-pump owners who shift load |
| Pullstrom (Pullstrom) | Market-leading total cost (Durchblicker, 2026) | Fixed discounter, no Bindung | Cheapest flexible, no-lock switchers |
Prices are energy work prices (Arbeitspreis) and exclude grid fees and the Grundpreis = base fee. Netto = ex-VAT, brutto = incl. 20 percent VAT. Verify your postcode and consumption on the E-Control Tarifkalkulator (E-Control, 2026).
The five most relevant Austrian household electricity tariffs in 2026 are Wien Energie OPTIMA Entspannt plus (9,99 ct/kWh netto, 12-month Preisgarantie = price guarantee), Salzburg AG Strom Preisfix (9,9 ct/kWh netto, locked to mid-2028), VERBUND Strom (100 percent hydropower, from ~14,13 ct/kWh brutto), the dynamic aWATTar HOURLY (EPEX spot +1,5 ct/kWh, no Bindung = no contract lock), and discounter Pullstrom (cheapest flexible tariff). Best all-round Vienna pick: Wien Energie OPTIMA Entspannt plus (Wien Energie, 2026; Durchblicker, 2026).
For the full breakdown see how to find the cheapest electricity tariff, the provider reviews above, and what Austrians pay per kWh. For deeper comparisons, read our electricity and gas guide, the provider comparison, and our price research.
How Do You Switch Energy Provider in Austria?
The Austrian electricity and gas markets are fully liberalised, and switching is protected by law. Here is how to do it:
- 1
Find your annual consumption in kWh
Check your most recent annual bill (Jahresabrechnung) from your current supplier. Typical values: a Vienna 1-person apartment uses around 1,500 kWh per year of electricity, a 2-person household 2,500 kWh, and a family of 4 around 4,500 kWh.
- 2
Compare tariffs on the E-Control calculator
The E-Control Tarifkalkulator is the official regulator tool. Enter your postcode and kWh consumption to see all licensed suppliers ranked by total annual cost.
- 3
Sign up online with the new supplier
Sign-up takes around 10 minutes online. You will need your meter number (Zählernummer) and the customer number from your current supplier. The new provider handles the cancellation of your old contract automatically.
- 4
Wait around 3 weeks for activation
The switch is processed in the background by the grid operator. There is no service interruption. You will receive a confirmation letter and a final bill from your old supplier.
- 5
Re-compare every 12 months
Most competitive tariffs include a 12-month price guarantee (Preisgarantie). When it expires, premiums often rise sharply, so set a calendar reminder to re-compare and switch again if needed.
What Is the Cheapest Electricity Provider in Austria?
The cheapest provider depends on your postcode and consumption. As of April 2026, the consistently low-cost players are:
- aWATTar: Dynamic hourly tariffs linked to the EPEX spot price. Cheapest if you can shift consumption (EV charging, laundry) to off-peak night and midday hours.
- VERBUND: Very competitive for 100 percent Austrian hydropower, usually within 5 percent of the cheapest fixed tariff.
- Spotty and MaxEnergy: Online-only challengers with aggressive promotional pricing for new customers.
- Regional utilities: Your local utility (Wien Energie, EVN, Energie AG, KELAG) is rarely the absolute cheapest, but often within striking distance when you account for loyalty discounts.
Dynamic tariffs reward flexibility
How Much Do Austrians Pay for Electricity and Gas?
As of April 2026, typical Austrian household energy prices are:
- Electricity (all-in): Around 22 to 28 cents per kWh including grid fees, taxes, and the Stromkostenbremse subsidy for basic consumption.
- Gas (all-in): Around 8 to 12 cents per kWh including grid fees and taxes.
- Annual electricity bill: €550 to €750 for a 2-person household using 2,500 kWh per year.
- Annual gas bill: €1,000 to €1,800 for a typical gas-heated apartment using 12,000 kWh per year.
- Grid fees: Around 30 to 40 percent of the electricity bill, set by E-Control per region. You cannot change grid operator, only the supplier.
What drives your bill
- Consumption: Heating type matters most. Gas or electric heating can push bills 3 to 5 times higher than for an apartment with district heating.
- Tariff structure: Fixed vs. dynamic (hourly) pricing. Fixed provides certainty, dynamic rewards flexibility.
- Federal state: Grid fees vary by region. Burgenland and Lower Austria are among the cheapest, Vorarlberg and Tyrol among the more expensive.
- Taxes and levies: Electricity tax, renewables surcharge, and VAT of 20 percent. See our electricity and gas guide for a line-by-line breakdown of a Vienna bill.
Entity References
Full factual profiles for each brand covered on this page:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you compare electricity tariffs in Austria?
Use the official regulator's comparison portal at durchblicker.at or the E-Control Tarifkalkulator. Enter your postcode and annual consumption in kWh (a Vienna 2-person household uses around 2,500 kWh per year). The calculator returns all licensed suppliers ranked by total annual cost. As of April 2026, switching to the cheapest provider typically saves €200 to €500 per year versus the default tariff.
What is Ökostrom?
Ökostrom is electricity from certified renewable sources, primarily Austrian hydropower (60 percent of the national mix), wind, and solar. All Austrian suppliers must offer at least one certified Ökostrom tariff, and providers like VERBUND and oekostrom AG offer 100 percent renewable electricity by default. The Umweltzeichen (UZ 46) eco-label is the gold standard certification. Ökostrom tariffs now cost roughly the same as conventional power.
Is it worth switching energy provider in Austria?
Yes, typically. Austrian households lose money by staying on the default local utility tariff. As of April 2026, switching to a competitive provider saves an average household €200 to €500 per year on electricity and €300 to €700 on gas. The switch is free, takes about 3 weeks, and involves no service interruption. Re-compare tariffs every 12 months when your price guarantee ends.
How long does switching take?
Switching an electricity or gas provider in Austria takes around 3 weeks from the moment you sign up with the new supplier. Under the E-Control rules, the new provider handles all paperwork, including notifying your old supplier. There is no service interruption: your meter continues to run normally, and you simply receive your final bill from the old supplier and a welcome letter from the new one.
What is the Energiekostenausgleich?
The Energiekostenausgleich and related Stromkostenbremse schemes are Austrian federal government measures introduced during the 2022-2023 energy crisis to cap household electricity costs. As of April 2026, the Stromkostenbremse subsidises a portion of the basic consumption (up to 2,900 kWh per year) at a capped price. Eligibility is automatic for private main residences. Check the latest rules at bmf.gv.at.
Official Sources
Related Guides
Electricity and Gas in Austria
How the Austrian energy market works and what a bill looks like
Cost of Living in Austria
Where utilities fit in a typical Austrian household budget
Housing in Austria
How rental contracts handle utilities, heating, and operating costs
Internet in Austria
Bundle fibre and energy with municipal utilities like Linz AG