Natural gas price increase in France: March 2026 explained

What changed on March 1, 2026

From March 1, 2026, the CRE (Commission de Régulation de l'Énergie) published an updated gas reference price — the Prix de Référence du Marché (PRM) — reflecting an average increase of 5.3% for residential consumers in France. This is the benchmark tariff against which most indexed-offer contracts are priced. For a household using gas for heating and hot water (around 12,000 kWh per year), it translates to roughly €60 more per year.

This article explains what drove the increase, who it affects, and what options are available to consumers who want to manage the impact. For a general introduction to how gas pricing works in France, see our guide to gas prices in France.

The CRE reference price: how it works

The PRM is not a price cap — it is a reference value published each month by the CRE based on wholesale market costs, network access tariffs, and commercial margins. Since regulated gas tariffs for residential customers formally ended in France in 2023, suppliers are no longer legally required to follow it. In practice, many indexed-offer contracts (offres indexées) still use it as their pricing baseline, updated monthly.

If you are on an indexed-offer contract, your price moves when the PRM moves. If you are on a fixed-price contract, you are shielded until renewal.

The three drivers behind the March 2026 increase

Three cost components pushed the March 2026 PRM upward. The CRE's methodology combines them into the overall consumer price.

**Wholesale supply costs (the biggest driver)**

The CRE calculates gas supply costs using a published formula: 80% indexed to month-ahead (MA2) futures and 20% to quarter-ahead (QA) futures, both tracked on the EEX platform. The reference wholesale cost rose from 27.31 €/MWh in February 2026 to 31.68 €/MWh in March 2026 — a 16% jump on this component alone. Supply costs represent roughly 25% of a typical residential bill, so a 16% rise in that component adds approximately 4 percentage points to the total consumer price.

Several factors pushed wholesale prices up. European gas storage levels entering 2026 were lower than the record levels seen in 2023–2024. Cold weather in January and February 2026 accelerated drawdowns. Global LNG demand from Asia remained strong, tightening the supply that flows into the European market through TTF (the main European gas hub in the Netherlands) and the French PEG hub.

**Network access tariffs (ATRD)**

The ATRD — Accès des Tiers aux Réseaux de Distribution — is the fee gas suppliers pay to use GRDF's distribution network, which then passes to consumers. The 2026 ATRD revision, applicable from the start of the year, incorporated updated infrastructure investment costs and grid modernisation programmes. This added an estimated 1.5 to 2 percentage points to the overall increase.

**Tax base effect**

The TICGN (Taxe Intérieure de Consommation sur le Gaz Naturel) rate itself did not change in March 2026. VAT on gas consumption remains at 20% (5.5% on the subscription component). However, because these taxes apply to a higher base price, the absolute euro amount per kWh increases slightly. This is a mathematical effect of the price increase, not a separate tax policy decision.

Who is affected — and who is not

Indexed-offer holders: You will see the March 2026 increase reflected in your bill from March 1. Your supplier should have sent advance notice of the change, as required under French law.

Fixed-price contract holders: You are not affected until your contract renewal date. At that point, the market price at the time of renewal will apply.

Variable-offer holders (not indexed to PRM): Your price depends on the specific terms of your contract. Check your contract to understand when and how your price is reviewed.

If you are unsure which type of contract you hold, check your energy bill — the type of offer should be shown on the first page.

Impact on your bill by household type

These figures are estimates based on applying the 5.3% reference price increase to typical annual consumption levels. Your actual bill also includes a fixed subscription component, which varies by your meter capacity (G4, G6, G25). The subscription component was not changed in March 2026.

For cooking and hot water only (around 3,000 kWh/year): the increase adds approximately €15 per year.

For average heating and hot water (around 12,000 kWh/year): approximately €60 per year more.

For a large house with gas central heating (around 20,000 kWh/year): approximately €100 per year more.

The current reference price and historical data are published on the CRE website at cre.fr. The May 2026 published average was 113.14 €/MWh inclusive of all taxes (TTC), across all consumer categories.

What happened after March 2026

For context: the CRE reference supply cost for May 2026 was 113.14 €/MWh TTC. Wholesale costs in spring 2026 moderated somewhat from the March peak as European storage refilling began and LNG import volumes recovered. The March increase therefore appears to represent a short-term spike in supply costs rather than the start of a sustained upward trend — though gas prices remain sensitive to weather, geopolitical events, and global LNG demand.

What you can do now

**Review your contract type**

If you are on an indexed contract, now is a reasonable moment to request a quote for a fixed-price offer. Locking in a price when market costs are elevated carries its own risk (if prices fall, you pay more than the market), but it gives budget predictability. There is no switching fee or supply interruption when you change supplier or contract type in France.

**Reduce consumption through simple adjustments**

ADEME (the French environment and energy management agency) recommends setting living areas to 19°C during the day, 17°C in bedrooms, and 16°C when rooms are unoccupied or overnight. Each degree of reduction saves around 7% on heating consumption. A programmable thermostat makes this automatic.

Have your gas boiler serviced each year. Annual maintenance is a legal requirement in France for gas boilers and costs typically €80 to €150. A poorly maintained boiler can operate 10–15% below its rated efficiency, which shows directly on your bill.

**Consider energy renovation**

If your home has an energy label of F or G (visible on your DPE certificate), it is consuming significantly more gas than an equivalent, well-insulated home. The MaPrimeRénov' programme can co-finance insulation, window upgrades, and heating system replacement. For households considering a switch away from gas altogether, an air-source heat pump eligible for MaPrimeRénov' can cover 300–400% efficiency (1 kWh of electricity produces 3–4 kWh of heat). See our electricity prices guide for 2026 for context on running costs.

Government support if you are struggling with bills

**Chèque énergie (Energy Voucher)**

A means-tested aid sent automatically each spring by the French state to eligible households. In 2025, amounts ranged from €48 to €277 depending on income and household size. The voucher can be used with any energy supplier or towards energy renovation work. No application is needed — eligibility is determined automatically from your tax return. See our energy check guide for 2026 for full details.

**FSL (Fonds de Solidarité pour le Logement)**

Administered by French departments (not a national scheme), the FSL provides emergency assistance for households unable to pay energy bills. Apply through your local department's social services office (CCAS or departmental conseil).

**Supplier hardship arrangements**

If you are behind on payments or anticipate difficulty, contact your supplier directly. Suppliers in France are required to offer payment plans and cannot disconnect a primary residence during the winter protection period (November 1 to March 31).

Frequently asked questions

**When did the March 2026 increase take effect?**

From March 1, 2026, for consumers on indexed-offer contracts and Engie's regulated-reference offer. Fixed-price contracts are unaffected until renewal.

**Does the increase affect everyone with a gas contract?**

No. Consumers on fixed-price market contracts keep their contracted price until the contract period ends. Only indexed-offer holders and regulated-tariff holders see the March 2026 change immediately.

**Where can I find the official CRE reference price figures?**

The CRE publishes monthly reference prices and wholesale supply cost data at cre.fr, under "Consommateurs > Prix repères et références." Historical data is available through the CRE open data portal.

**What is the TICGN and did it change?**

The TICGN (Taxe Intérieure de Consommation sur le Gaz Naturel) is a consumption tax on natural gas. The rate was unchanged in March 2026. The absolute amount on your bill increases because the tax applies to a higher base price.

**Is it worth switching to electricity for heating?**

The answer depends on your home's insulation level, your current boiler age, and available grants. A heat pump can be more economical over a 10–15 year horizon in a well-insulated home. Available grants through MaPrimeRénov' can significantly reduce the upfront cost. There is no universal answer, and the calculation has changed as electricity tariffs have also evolved in 2026.

**Can I switch supplier to avoid the increase?**

Switching supplier does not avoid indexed-price movements, since most market offers use similar wholesale cost references. What switching can do is lock in a fixed price for 1–2 years if you find a suitable offer at the right moment. Switching is free and supply is never interrupted.

The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personal financial or energy advice. Price figures are estimates based on available reference data from the CRE. For your exact situation, consult your supplier's bill or the CRE reference price published at cre.fr.

Sources

• CRE — Référence de coûts d'approvisionnement du gaz (monthly, published cre.fr)
• CRE — Prix repère de vente de gaz naturel, May 2026 update (cre.fr)
• GRDF — ATRD tariff documentation
• ADEME — Heating efficiency recommendations (ademe.fr)
• Service-public.fr — Chèque énergie eligibility