Best Energy Providers in Austria (2026)
Jules de Bruin
Expat in Vienna
Updated: May 19 2026 | Found helpful by 7 others
Updated May 19 2026. 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. VERBUND is Austria's largest electricity generator, running on 100 percent hydropower. Switching supplier takes around 3 weeks and typically saves EUR 200 to EUR 500 per year. Compare tariffs for free on the E-Control Tarifkalkulator.
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Top 7 Best Energy Providers in Austria
Based on market share, price competitiveness, green-energy credentials, and customer service, these are the leading Austrian energy providers in 2026.
1. OMV
Austria's largest energy company and one of the biggest integrated oil, gas, and chemicals groups in Central Europe. OMV is listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange (ATX) and covers exploration and production, refining, marketing, and petrochemicals, supplying both industry and retail fuel customers.
Why we recommend it: Austria's largest energy company by revenue with ATX listing, integrated oil-gas-chemicals footprint, and extensive retail fuel network.
Best for: Customers and partners looking for Austria's largest integrated oil, gas, and chemicals group
Pros
- +Austria's largest energy company by revenue
- +ATX-listed with strong capital base and transparency
- +Integrated oil, gas, and petrochemicals footprint
- +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
- −Corporate scope can feel distant for retail consumers
2. EVN
The main utility of Lower Austria, serving around 800,000 electricity and gas customers. EVN is a reliable regional provider with a strong product range covering power, gas, district heating, and PV solutions.
Why we recommend it: Best regional utility in Lower Austria for combined electricity-and-gas with PV and heat pump financing.
Best for: Lower Austrian residents who want a regional utility with electricity and gas bundled
Pros
- +Leading utility in Lower Austria
- +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
- −Pricing typically mid-pack on E-Control
3. Energie Graz
The municipal utility of Graz, Austria's second-largest city. Energie Graz supplies electricity, gas, and district heating to Styrian households, with a strong focus on renewable generation and local infrastructure investment.
Why we recommend it: Default Graz utility bundling electricity, gas, and district heating with strong local Styrian renewable investment.
Best for: Graz residents who want a city-owned utility with strong local presence and green tariffs
Pros
- +Default provider for most Graz households
- +Bundles electricity, gas, and district heating
- +Local investment in Styrian renewable generation
- +Reliable customer service via local branches
Cons
- −Coverage focused on Graz and immediate surroundings
- −Tariffs rarely top the E-Control rankings
- −German-only interface and documentation
4. VERBUND
Austria's largest electricity producer and a European hydropower leader. VERBUND supplies 100 percent Austrian hydropower to residential customers nationwide, with transparent pricing and industry-leading sustainability credentials.
Why we recommend it: Cheapest 100 percent UZ 46-certified Austrian hydropower available nationwide, often beats default regional utilities.
Best for: Customers who want 100 percent Austrian hydropower at a competitive price, available nationwide
Pros
- +100 percent Austrian hydropower, nationwide availability
- +Competitive pricing versus default regional utilities
- +Strong sustainability and transparency reporting
- +UZ 46 eco-label certified Ökostrom
Cons
- −No gas offering, electricity only
- −Customer service predominantly in German
- −Fewer loyalty extras than municipal utilities
5. Wien Energie
The municipal utility of Vienna, serving around 2 million customers with electricity, gas, and district heating. Wien Energie is the default provider for many Vienna apartments and invests heavily in solar, wind, and combined heat and power.
Why we recommend it: Default Vienna utility for instant supply on move-in, bundling electricity, gas, and district heating with strong solar and wind investment.
Best for: Vienna residents who want one local provider for electricity, gas, and district heating
Pros
- +Default provider for most Vienna apartments, easy onboarding
- +Bundled electricity, gas, and district heating
- +Strong investment in Vienna solar and wind
- +Reliable customer service and good digital portal
Cons
- −Tariffs rarely the absolute cheapest on E-Control
- −Offerings mostly limited to Vienna area
- −Default tariff should be re-checked annually
6. Energie AG Oberösterreich
Upper Austria's main regional utility, serving around 580,000 customers with electricity, gas, and waste services. A strong local brand with a solid digital portal and competitive Ökostrom tariffs.
Why we recommend it: Leading utility in Upper Austria with competitive Ökostrom tariffs and bundled electricity-and-gas options.
Best for: Upper Austrian households who want a regional utility with strong local presence
Pros
- +Leading utility in Upper Austria
- +Competitive Ökostrom tariffs
- +Solid digital customer portal
- +Bundled electricity and gas available
Cons
- −Primarily serves Upper Austria
- −No dynamic tariff option
- −German-only interface and documents
7. KELAG
Carinthia's regional utility, serving Carinthia and parts of Styria with electricity, gas, and heat. KELAG is known for strong green-energy credentials, thanks to Carinthia's abundant hydropower, and a solid customer experience.
Why we recommend it: Strongest hydropower profile from Carinthian rivers with popular heat pump and PV financing packages.
Best for: Carinthian and East Styrian residents who want a regional utility with strong green credentials
Pros
- +Strong hydropower profile from Carinthian rivers
- +Electricity, gas, and district heat bundles
- +Reliable local customer service
- +Popular heat pump and PV financing packages
Cons
- −Regional, primarily Carinthia and east Styria
- −Less competitive on E-Control rankings nationally
- −Limited digital self-service features
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: EUR 550 to EUR 750 for a 2-person household using 2,500 kWh per year.
- Annual gas bill: EUR 1,000 to EUR 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 EUR 200 to EUR 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 EUR 200 to EUR 500 per year on electricity and EUR 300 to EUR 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.
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