Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
European statistics on natural gas prices for household and final non-household customers.
3.2. Classification system
Internal Eurostat classification system based on annual natural gas consumption bands and tax levels.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Household sector and final non-household sector (industry, services, offices, agriculture, etc).
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The prices are collected in national currencies per GJ and according to different bands of consumption.
For the households sector, these bands are:
D1: Customers consuming less than 20 GJ.
D2: Customers consuming 20 GJ or more but less than 200 GJ.
D3: Customers consuming 200 GJ or more.
For the final non-households sector, the bands are:
I1: Customers consuming less than 1000 GJ.
I2: Customers consuming 1000 GJ or more but less than 10000 GJ.
I3: Customers consuming 10000 GJ or more but less than 100000 GJ.
I4: Customers consuming 100000 GJ or more but less than 1000000 GJ.
I5: Customers consuming 1000000 GJ or more but less than 4000000 GJ.
I6: Customers consuming 4000000 GJ or more.
There exist 2 different levels of disagregation for semestrial and annual prices:
1- Semestrial prices:
These prices are reported twice a year and are divided in 3 levels:
Level 1 prices: Prices excluding taxes and levies.
Level 2 prices: Prices excluding VAT and other recoverable taxes and levies.
Level 3 prices: Prices including all taxes and levies.
2- Annual prices:
These prices are reported once a year together with the data for the second semester and are divided into the following components and taxes:
Energy and supply: commodity price for natural gas paid by the supplier or the price of natural gas at the point of entry into the transmission system, including, if applicable, the following end-user costs: storage costs plus costs relating to the sale of natural gas to final customers.
Network cost: transmission and distribution tariffs, transmission and distribution losses, network costs, after-sale service costs, system service costs and meter rental and metering costs.
Value added taxes (VAT): as defined in Council Directive 2006/112/EC.
Renewable taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to the promotion of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and CHP generation.
Capacity taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to strategic stockpiles, capacity payments and energy security; taxes on natural gas distribution; stranded costs and levies on financing energy regulatory authorities or market and system operators.
Environmental taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to air quality and for other environmental purposes; taxes on emissions of CO2 or other greenhouse gases. This component includes the excise duties.
All other taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges not covered by any of the previous four categories: support for district heating; local or regional fiscal charges; island compensation; concession fees relating to licences and fees for the occupation of land and public or private property by networks or other devices.
In addition to these elements, the network cost is split into the respective shares of transmission and distribution. The relative share of consumption in the different consumption bands is reported by the countries and used to calculated the single national natural gas prices (weighted averages for consumer bands DI-D3 and I1-I6) but not published because it could be used to re-calculate some confidential values.
Some of the taxes are refundable. Here is a description of them:
Band
Name of the tax
component in which it is reported
Recoverable portion of the component
D1-D3
I1-I6
Value added tax
Value added tax
VAT
VAT
100%
100%
3.5. Statistical unit
Household and final non-household consumers divided into consumption bands.
3.6. Statistical population
Household customers: Data coming from 20 suppliers out of 30 and representing 100% of the household customers. (in 2024)
Final non-household customers: Data coming from 29 suppliers out of 30 and representing 100% of the final non-household customers. (in 2024)
3.7. Reference area
The whole country.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data on Estonian natural gas prices are available since 2007.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Prices are reported in national currency per GJ. However, Eurostat also calculates and publishes the prices in EURO and PPS (purchasing power parity) and do the conversion to kWh. Relative shares of sub-component of the network component and consumption volumes are reported in percentages.
For semestrial prices, the reference periods are from January to June for semester 1 and from July to December for semester 2.
For annual prices, the reference period is the whole calendar year (from January to December).
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
At EU level:
Regulation (EU) 2016/1952 is the legal basis for the collection and reporting of natural gas and electricity price statistics for household and non-household customers.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/803 of 17 May 2019 concerning the technical requirements regarding the content of quality reports on European statistics on natural gas and electricity prices
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
At EU level:
Eurostat does not share the data collected with other organisation appart from its usual dissemination chanel (Eurostat's database, statistic explained articles and press or news release) .
At national level:
Data is sent to Eurostat.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
At EU level:
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 11 March 2009, on the transmission of data subject to statistical confidentiality to the Statistical Office of the European Communities.
At national level:
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 32, § 34, § 35, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Published data should not allow identification of single consumers.
The treatment of confidential data is regulated by the Procedure for Protection of Data Collected and Processed by Statistics Estonia:Legal acts
The data are published and transmitted without characteristics that permit identification of the respondents, and classified into groups of at least three persons, whereas the share of data relating to each person in aggregate data shall not exceed 90%. The data that permit identification of the respondents are subject to publication and transmission only pursuant to subsection 2.
Data collected by Statistics Estonia that permit identification of the respondents shall be published and transmitted with the written consent of the respondent, unless otherwise stated by law.
Microdata are aggregated to the level necessary for analysis. This includes summation of data according to the classification and calculating various statistical measures, e.g. average, median, dispersion, etc.
8.1. Release calendar
Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on the website. Every year on 1 October, the release times of the statistical database, news releases, main indicators by IMF SDDS and publications for the following year are announced in the release calendar (in the case of publications – the release month).
All users have been granted equal access to official statistics: dissemination dates of official statistics are announced in advance and no user category (incl. Eurostat, state authorities and mass media) is provided access to official statistics before other users. Official statistics are first published in the statistical database. If there is also a news release, it is published simultaneously with data in the statistical database. Official statistics are available on the website at 8:00 a.m. on the date announced in the release calendar.
Natural gas prices in Estonia are published on a semestrial basis on Eurostat's website.
Data are published under the subject area “Economy / Energy” in the Statistical database
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not available.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 33, § 34, § 35, § 36, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act. Access to microdata and anonymisation of microdata are regulated by Statistics Estonia’s procedure for dissemination Use of confidential data for scientific purposes.
A legal person or agency in need of confidential data for scientific purposes shall submit to Statistics Estonia a written application. The processing of applications for the dissemination of confidential data for scientific purposes and the counselling of applicants are organised by the Marketing and Dissemination Department of Statistics Estonia pursuant to the stipulated processing procedure. The Confidentiality Council shall consider the substance of the application and make a decision whether the confidential data can be used for scientific purposes within ten working days from the receipt of all documents necessary for the review of the application.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Data serve as input for statistical activity “National accounts (annual)” and “Consumer price index”.
To assure the quality of processes and products, Statistics Estonia applies the EFQM Excellence Model, the European Statistics Code of Practice and the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (ESS QAF). Statistics Estonia is also guided by the requirements in § 7. “Principles and quality criteria of producing official statistics” of the Official Statistics Act.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Statistics Estonia performs all statistical activities according to an international model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final phase of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each phase or sub-process; this information can take many forms, including feedback from users, process metadata, system metrics and suggestions from employees. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report which outlines all the quality problems related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Users’ suggestions and information about taking these into account are available on the website of Statistics Estonia atMethodology and quality
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Since 1996, Statistics Estonia has conducted reputation and user satisfaction surveys.
All results are available on the website at User surveys
12.3. Completeness
In compliance with the rules (regulations)
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
100%
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure sufficient coverage and timeliness.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Information is included in the sub-concepts S.13.3.1-S.13.3.5.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
100%
13.3.2. Measurement error
Data are collected and the submission of questionnaires is monitored through eSTAT (the web channel for electronic data submission). The questionnaires have been designed for independent completion in eSTAT and include instructions and controls. The questionnaires and information about data submission are available on Statistics Estonia’s website at About data submission.
Data are collected with the half-yearly statistical questionnaires “Natural gas prices”.
In case of missing or unreliable data, missing values are imputed according to set rules. Variables and statistical units which were not collected but which are necessary for producing output are calculated. New variables are calculated by applying arithmetic conversion to already existing variables. This may be done repeatedly; the derived variable may, in turn, be based on previously derived variables.
Microdata are aggregated to the level necessary for analysis. This includes summation of data according to the classification and calculating various statistical measures.
The collected data are converted into statistical output. This includes calculating additional variables. The basis of calculating average price is the weighted average price of the previous six months by consumer groups, which end-users have paid in the previous six months for natural gas. The amount of used natural gas is used as weights.
13.3.3. Non response error
In case of missing or unreliable data, missing values are imputed according to set rules. Variables and statistical units which were not collected but which are necessary for producing output are calculated. New variables are calculated by applying arithmetic conversion to already existing variables. This may be done repeatedly; the derived variable may, in turn, be based on previously derived variables.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
30 out of 30 suppliers, representing 100% of the target population, responded to the survey.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
30 out of 30 suppliers, provided data by all bands– the item non response rate is 0%.
13.3.4. Processing error
First editing and validation process takes place at micro data level. The data editing program is applied to all entered date. All errors are marked and if it is necessary the data are improved together the data producers of enterprises. Second editing and validation process takes place after the aggregations. If unreal estimations or very big changes in comparison with last year are discovered the micro data in certain variable are checked once more to find out the source of error. The coherency of results with previous periods' results is checked.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not Applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Natural gas providers that participate in the national data collection are requested to provide the natural gas price data within 1 month after the reference period. After arrival, the statistical office checks the micro-data for correctness, consistency and completeness and national averages are calculated and reported to Eurostat during the third month after the reference period.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for households for the 1st semester of 2022 was sent 85 days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for households for the 2nd semester of 2022 was sent 88 days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for households for the 1st semester of 2023 was sent 90 days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for households for the 2nd semester of 2023 was sent 90 days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for households for the 1st semester of 2024 was sent 89 days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for households for the 2nd semester of 2024 was sent 90 days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for non-households for the 1st semester of 2022 was sent 85 days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for non-households for the 2nd semester of 2022 was sent 88 days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for non-households for the 1st semester of 2023 was sent 90days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for non-households for the 2nd semester of 2023 was sent 90 days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for non-households for the 1st semester of 2024 was sent 89 days after the reference period.
The first version of the natural gas price questionnaire for non-households for the 2nd semester of 2024 was sent 90 days after the reference period.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
There was not time lag.
14.2. Punctuality
The legal deadline for submitting the questionnaires is the third month after the reference period.
Percentage of questionnaires delivered on time is 100%.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
The legal deadline for submitting the questionnaires is the third month after the reference period.
Percentage of questionnaires delivered on time is 100%.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The data are internationally comparable.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable
15.2. Comparability - over time
The data are comparable over time.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
The data is comparable since 2007.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Annual prices are coherent with the semestrial prices.
Cost of statistical activity 10,0 thousand euros (data for 2021).
Total time of filling in reports of the statistical activity, working days:
Year
2022
2023
2024
12,2
16
16,5
Average time of filling in the reports, hours per report:
The published data may be revised if the methodology is modified, errors are discovered, new or better data become available.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
The published data may be revised if the methodology is modified, errors are discovered, new or better data become available.
Households gas prices collection: 0.014085844
Non-households gas prices collection: 0.028199372
18.1. Source data
Data on gas prices are collected from all enterprises which have the licence for the sale natural gas according to the Register of Economic Activities of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
Prices are collected twice a year, at the beginning of each six-month period (January and July). Prices are calculated on the basis of the weighted average prices of previous six months paid by end-users for natural gas over the previous six months. Gas consumption is used for weights.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Half-yearly.
18.3. Data collection
Data on gas prices are collected from all enterprises which have the licence for the sale of natural gas and network services according to the Register of Economic Activities of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
Prices are collected twice a year, at the beginning of each six-month period (January and July). Prices are calculated on the basis of weighted average prices paid by end-users for gas over the previous six months. Gas consumption is used for weights.
Total population is 30 objects. All objects have been observed. Adminisrative data are not used.
Data are collected and the submission of questionnaires is monitored through eSTAT (the web channel for electronic data submission). The questionnaires have been designed for independent completion in eSTAT and include instructions and controls. The questionnaires and information about data submission are available on Statistics Estonia’s website at About data submission
Data are collected with the half-yearly statistical questionnaires "Price of natural gas" (“Maagaasi hind”).
Arithmetic and qualitative controls are used in the validation process, including comparison with other data. Before data dissemination, internal coherence of the data is checked.
18.5. Data compilation
In case of missing or unreliable data, missing values are imputed according to set rules. Variables and statistical units which were not collected but which are necessary for producing output are calculated. New variables are calculated by applying arithmetic conversion to already existing variables. This may be done repeatedly; the derived variable may, in turn, be based on previously derived variables.
The collected data are converted into statistical output. This includes calculating additional variables. The basis of calculating average price is the weighted average price of the previous six months by consumer groups, which end-users have paid in the previous six months for natural gas. The amount of used natural gas is used as weights.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
No data imputed.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applied.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Seasonable adjustments are not carried out.
European statistics on natural gas prices for household and final non-household customers.
12 December 2025
The prices are collected in national currencies per GJ and according to different bands of consumption.
For the households sector, these bands are:
D1: Customers consuming less than 20 GJ.
D2: Customers consuming 20 GJ or more but less than 200 GJ.
D3: Customers consuming 200 GJ or more.
For the final non-households sector, the bands are:
I1: Customers consuming less than 1000 GJ.
I2: Customers consuming 1000 GJ or more but less than 10000 GJ.
I3: Customers consuming 10000 GJ or more but less than 100000 GJ.
I4: Customers consuming 100000 GJ or more but less than 1000000 GJ.
I5: Customers consuming 1000000 GJ or more but less than 4000000 GJ.
I6: Customers consuming 4000000 GJ or more.
There exist 2 different levels of disagregation for semestrial and annual prices:
1- Semestrial prices:
These prices are reported twice a year and are divided in 3 levels:
Level 1 prices: Prices excluding taxes and levies.
Level 2 prices: Prices excluding VAT and other recoverable taxes and levies.
Level 3 prices: Prices including all taxes and levies.
2- Annual prices:
These prices are reported once a year together with the data for the second semester and are divided into the following components and taxes:
Energy and supply: commodity price for natural gas paid by the supplier or the price of natural gas at the point of entry into the transmission system, including, if applicable, the following end-user costs: storage costs plus costs relating to the sale of natural gas to final customers.
Network cost: transmission and distribution tariffs, transmission and distribution losses, network costs, after-sale service costs, system service costs and meter rental and metering costs.
Value added taxes (VAT): as defined in Council Directive 2006/112/EC.
Renewable taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to the promotion of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and CHP generation.
Capacity taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to strategic stockpiles, capacity payments and energy security; taxes on natural gas distribution; stranded costs and levies on financing energy regulatory authorities or market and system operators.
Environmental taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges relating to air quality and for other environmental purposes; taxes on emissions of CO2 or other greenhouse gases. This component includes the excise duties.
All other taxes: taxes, fees, levies or charges not covered by any of the previous four categories: support for district heating; local or regional fiscal charges; island compensation; concession fees relating to licences and fees for the occupation of land and public or private property by networks or other devices.
In addition to these elements, the network cost is split into the respective shares of transmission and distribution. The relative share of consumption in the different consumption bands is reported by the countries and used to calculated the single national natural gas prices (weighted averages for consumer bands DI-D3 and I1-I6) but not published because it could be used to re-calculate some confidential values.
Some of the taxes are refundable. Here is a description of them:
Band
Name of the tax
component in which it is reported
Recoverable portion of the component
D1-D3
I1-I6
Value added tax
Value added tax
VAT
VAT
100%
100%
Household and final non-household consumers divided into consumption bands.
Household customers: Data coming from 20 suppliers out of 30 and representing 100% of the household customers. (in 2024)
Final non-household customers: Data coming from 29 suppliers out of 30 and representing 100% of the final non-household customers. (in 2024)
The whole country.
For semestrial prices, the reference periods are from January to June for semester 1 and from July to December for semester 2.
For annual prices, the reference period is the whole calendar year (from January to December).
The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure sufficient coverage and timeliness.
Prices are reported in national currency per GJ. However, Eurostat also calculates and publishes the prices in EURO and PPS (purchasing power parity) and do the conversion to kWh. Relative shares of sub-component of the network component and consumption volumes are reported in percentages.
In case of missing or unreliable data, missing values are imputed according to set rules. Variables and statistical units which were not collected but which are necessary for producing output are calculated. New variables are calculated by applying arithmetic conversion to already existing variables. This may be done repeatedly; the derived variable may, in turn, be based on previously derived variables.
The collected data are converted into statistical output. This includes calculating additional variables. The basis of calculating average price is the weighted average price of the previous six months by consumer groups, which end-users have paid in the previous six months for natural gas. The amount of used natural gas is used as weights.
Data on gas prices are collected from all enterprises which have the licence for the sale natural gas according to the Register of Economic Activities of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
Prices are collected twice a year, at the beginning of each six-month period (January and July). Prices are calculated on the basis of the weighted average prices of previous six months paid by end-users for natural gas over the previous six months. Gas consumption is used for weights.
Natural gas prices in Estonia are published on a semestrial basis on Eurostat's website.
Natural gas providers that participate in the national data collection are requested to provide the natural gas price data within 1 month after the reference period. After arrival, the statistical office checks the micro-data for correctness, consistency and completeness and national averages are calculated and reported to Eurostat during the third month after the reference period.
