Germany slaps levy on households to help wean country from Russian gas

Consumers will pay an additional levy for natural gas from October

Costs soared in Europe after Moscow cut flows of natural gas through the key Nord Stream pipeline. File picture: Stefan Sauer/dpa/AP

Germany’s government has said households will face additional annual costs of about €290 to pay for natural gas as the burden of Russia’s squeeze on energy flows to Europe is redistributed.

From October, consumers will have to pay an additional levy for natural gas, Trading Hub Europe said.