New electricity and gas market rules are taking effect across the EU. They aim to make Europe’s energy system cleaner, more secure and resilient. They protect citizens from energy price spikes and give them stronger rights and control over their energy choices.
Revised electricity market rules: more choice and protection
The 2022 energy crisis exposed consumers and businesses to extreme price volatility, with record gas prices and soaring electricity bills. The reform of the EU electricity market rules aims to make the energy market more resilient, boost renewables, better protect consumers, and enhance Europe’s competitiveness.
For consumers, this means
- more choice between fixed-price and dynamic price contracts, offering greater price stability and predictability
- stronger safeguards when choosing or switching energy suppliers, with clearer information before signing a contract, making it easier to compare offers and make informed choices
- new opportunities to generate and share renewable energy with neighbours and communities, allowing more people to benefit from locally produced clean electricity
- stronger protection for the most vulnerable customers, including from disconnection. In times of emergency, EU countries can temporarily set prices below cost for a limited amount of electricity consumption to help keep electricity affordable
- protection through a supplier of last resort if an electricity supplier fails
A cleaner and more secure European gas market
The new gas market rules support the gradual replacement of fossil gas with renewable and low-carbon gases, particularly hydrogen.
They will
- create a more secure and integrated European gas market with less dependence on imported fossil fuels
- strengthen consumer rights and protections, including free choice of supplier, better information on offers, and protection in case of a dispute with an energy supplier
- ensure vulnerable consumers and those affected by energy poverty are particularly protected from disconnection of gas supply, including during the energy transition
- support the EU’s climate goals
The new rules for the electricity market apply from 17 July 2026, while those for the gas market will apply from 5 August 2026.
For more information
- Publication date
- 24 July 2026
- Author
- Directorate-General for Communication
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