The CREG publishes the maximum social energy prices for the fourth quarter

The Electricity and Gas Regulatory Commission (CREG) published, on September 10, 2026, the maximum social prices applicable from October 1 to December 31, 2026, for the supply of electricity, natural gas, and heat to protected residential customers. These three notices appear in the Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge) No. 212 of September 21, 2026, pages 51008 and 51009, under references C − 2026/006740 (electricity), C − 2026/006741 (natural gas), and C − 2026/006742 (heat). The new amounts come into effect on October 1, 2026.

The legal framework of the three notices

Electricity and gas prices are published in application of Article 6 of the Ministerial Decree of March 30, 2007, establishing maximum social prices for the supply of electricity and gas to protected residential customers. The CREG determined these amounts on September 10, 2026, in application of Article 8 of the same decree.

The price of heat is based on a different foundation: Article 5 of the Royal Decree of June 6, 2022, establishing maximum social prices for the supply of heat to protected residential customers, with the CREG having set the amount in application of Article 6 of that decree.

The three texts share the same decision date, September 10, 2026, and the same application period: the fourth quarter of 2026, from October 1 to December 31, 2026, inclusive.

Electricity: four ceiling tariffs

The maximum social price for the supply of electricity, excluding VAT and other taxes, amounts to:

• 25.331 euro cents per kWh (0.25331 euro/kWh) for the single tariff;
• 25.331 euro cents per kWh (0.25331 euro/kWh) for the dual-rate tariff during peak hours;
• 24.208 euro cents per kWh (0.24208 euro/kWh) for the dual-rate tariff during off-peak hours;
• 20.957 euro cents per kWh (0.20957 euro/kWh) for the night-only tariff.

Natural gas and heat: a single price

For natural gas, the maximum social price excluding VAT and other taxes is set at 5.738 euro cents per kWh (0.05738 euro/kWh). For heat, the maximum social price excluding VAT and other taxes is identical: 5.738 euro cents per kWh (0.05738 euro/kWh).

What the amounts include and exclude

The published tariffs do not cover all bill costs:

• electricity tariffs are expressed excluding excise duties, excluding the connection fee (Wallonia), and excluding the energy fund contribution (Flanders);
• the gas tariff is expressed excluding excise duties and excluding the connection fee (Wallonia);
• network tariffs (transmission and/or distribution) are, however, included in all three cases.

The CREG specifies that these tariffs can also be consulted on its website, in the section dedicated to the social tariff for energy.

Scope for protected households

These amounts constitute the legal ceiling for the energy bills of protected residential customers, a category that notably includes beneficiaries of modest incomes or specific social statuses. Any increase or decrease in the maximum social price is therefore directly reflected in what these households pay for heating and lighting during the autumn and winter months, a period when gas and heat consumption reaches its peak. Suppliers cannot charge beyond these ceilings for the period from October 1 to December 31, 2026.

Source: Moniteur belge No. 212 of September 21, 2026, p. 51008-51009 — CREG, September 10, 2026, C − 2026/006740, C − 2026/006741 and C − 2026/006742.