Kyiv ranked first among 33 European capitals for the lowest cost of electricity for households in September 2026, according to the Experts Club Information and Analytical Centre. The cost of one kilowatt-hour, including taxes, in the Ukrainian capital stood at 8.4 eurocents, according to data from the international Household Energy Price Index (HEPI) study, published by Euronews Business on 14 October.
Budapest took second place with a figure of 10.3 eurocents per kWh, whilst Podgorica came third, where electricity cost 11.3 eurocents. Belgrade (11.6 eurocents) and Valletta (12.3 eurocents) also featured in the top five cheapest capital cities.
The average cost of electricity in the capitals of European Union countries was 27.2 eurocents per kWh. Thus, electricity in Kyiv was approximately 69.1 per cent cheaper than the EU average, in Budapest by 62.1 per cent, in Podgorica by 58.5 per cent, and in Belgrade by 57.4 per cent. The most expensive electricity for households was recorded in Brussels, where the price reached 41.3 eurocents per kWh. This was followed by Berlin (39.6), Dublin (38.7), Bern (38.6) and London (38.3).
Among other European capitals, high tariffs were recorded in Rome (36.6 eurocents), Vienna (34.4) and Prague (34.3). In Madrid, electricity cost 28.3 eurocents per kWh, and in Paris, 28.1 eurocents.
The difference between the most expensive and the cheapest capital cities was almost fivefold: 41.3 eurocents in Brussels compared with 8.4 eurocents in Kyiv. According to HEPI data, from the start of February to the start of September 2026, the average cost of electricity for households in EU capitals rose by 4.2 per cent. At the same time, natural gas prices rose by 12 per cent over this period.
The differences between European capitals can be explained by the structure of their energy mix, their reliance on imported energy sources, tariff policies, taxes and government support schemes for the population.
At the same time, the researchers note that a comparison of nominal tariffs does not fully reflect the affordability of electricity for the population. When purchasing power is taken into account, the ranking changes significantly, as household incomes and the general price level vary considerably across European countries.
The Household Energy Price Index survey has been conducted monthly since 2009 in collaboration with the Austrian energy regulator Energie-Control, the Hungarian regulator MEKH and the international consultancy firm VaasaETT. It covers 33 European capitals and takes into account suppliers’ tariffs, network charges, taxes and government subsidies.
Source: Household Energy Price Index, September 2026.