CO₂ costs in English
CO₂ costs on your heating bill: what your landlord has to pay
Every heating bill based on gas or oil now includes a CO₂ price. Since 2023 your landlord has to carry part of it, more the worse the building is insulated. Here is how the split works, how to claim your money with your own gas contract, and what to check.
By Phil Holthaus & Johann Slawski, founders of nebify — Nebenkostenabrechnungen checked by people and software.
Last updated October 23, 2026
Key facts at a glance
- Since 2023 landlords pay part of the CO₂ costs for heating, from 0 % to 95 %.
- The share depends on the building's CO₂ emissions per m² of floor area and year.
- With central heating, the split must be shown in your heating bill. If it is missing, you may cut 3 %.
- With your own gas contract, you claim the landlord's share yourself, in writing, within 12 months.
- If you also cook with gas, the refund is reduced by 5 %.
Already got your statement? Upload it to the free pre-check and see in 2 minutes whether the CO₂ split in your heating bill is there and plausible.
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In Germany your landlord pays between 0 and 95 % of the CO₂ costs for heating, depending on how much CO₂ the building emits per m². With central heating, the split must be in your heating bill. With your own gas contract, you have to claim the landlord’s share yourself, in writing and within 12 months of your gas bill.
The ten levels: who pays how much
The split depends on the building’s CO₂ emissions in kilograms per square metre of floor area and year. The worse the building, the more the landlord pays:
| kg CO₂ per m² and year | Tenant | Landlord |
|---|---|---|
| under 12 | 100 % | 0 % |
| 12 to under 17 | 90 % | 10 % |
| 17 to under 22 | 80 % | 20 % |
| 22 to under 27 | 70 % | 30 % |
| 27 to under 32 | 60 % | 40 % |
| 32 to under 37 | 50 % | 50 % |
| 37 to under 42 | 40 % | 60 % |
| 42 to under 47 | 30 % | 70 % |
| 47 to under 52 | 20 % | 80 % |
| 52 or more | 5 % | 95 % |
For non-residential buildings, landlord and tenant each pay 50 %. In some listed buildings or protected areas, the landlord’s share can be lower.
With your own gas contract: claim it yourself
If you have a gas boiler in your flat and buy the gas yourself, the CO₂ costs are on your supplier’s bill. Your landlord does not see them, so you have to claim the landlord’s share:
„Der Mieter muss den Erstattungsanspruch nach Satz 1 innerhalb von zwölf Monaten ab dem Zeitpunkt, in dem der Lieferant der Brennstoffe oder der Wärmelieferant die Lieferung gegenüber dem Mieter abgerechnet hat, in Textform geltend machen.“In English: “The tenant must claim the refund in text form within twelve months from the time the fuel or heat supplier billed the tenant for the supply.”
- 1
Take your gas bill
It shows the energy used in kWh, the emission factor and the CO₂ costs.
- 2
Work out the level
kWh × emission factor ÷ floor area of your flat = kg CO₂ per m². Find the level in the table.
- 3
Claim in writing
Send the landlord the bill and the amount you claim, within 12 months of the bill.
- 4
Get it back
The landlord may set it off in the next utility bill, otherwise must pay within 12 months.
With central heating: what to check in your bill
Split is shown
The heating bill must show the CO₂ costs of the building, the level and your share. If not, you may cut your heating share by 3 % (§ 7 (4) CO2KostAufG).
Right floor area
The level is based on the building's total floor area. A smaller area than real gives a higher level and a higher landlord share, a larger one the opposite.
Right energy
The kWh used to calculate the emissions must match the fuel invoices for the year.
Landlord share deducted
The landlord's share must actually be taken off your costs, not just shown.
The CO₂ price: 2025, 2026 and beyond
The national CO₂ price was €55 per tonne in 2025. For 2026 the certificates are auctioned within a corridor of €55 to €65 per tonne. For 2027 the law no longer sets a corridor, and the price follows auctions. Rising CO₂ prices make the split more important every year.
District heating can also carry CO₂ costs. Whether they are shown depends on the supplier’s bill.
Not sure your CO₂ share is right?
The level depends on the energy used, the emission factor and the floor area of the building. Whether your landlord placed the building in the right level, or forgot your refund, only shows when the numbers are checked. We do that for you.
The CO₂ split is one of the newest sources of mistakes in heating bills. The quickest way is to let nebify check your Nebenkostenabrechnung: every item with its legal basis, an English summary and a German letter to your landlord for €24.90.
If you read German: our page Nebenkostenabrechnung prüfen lassen explains the same check in German.
FAQ: CO₂ costs on your heating bill
Does my landlord have to pay part of the CO₂ costs for heating?
I have my own gas contract. How do I get the landlord's share?
What if the CO₂ split is missing in my heating bill?
How high is the CO₂ price?
I also cook with gas. Do I get less back?
Did your landlord pay their CO₂ share?
Upload your statement or your gas bill to the free pre-check. You see in English whether you are owed money.
Start free pre-checkNebenkostenabrechnung check in English
Money-back guarantee on the full check for residential tenants.
Legal note: This guide gives general information and is not legal advice on your individual case. Whether an item in your statement is actually not allowed depends on your rental contract and the facts of your case. For legal questions, a tenants' association (Mieterverein) or a lawyer specialising in tenancy law (Fachanwalt für Mietrecht) can help you.
More guides in English
- → Heating costs in Germany: how your Heizkostenabrechnung is split
- → ista bill explained in English: how to read your heating cost statement
- → Techem bill explained in English: what every part of your heating bill means
- → Utility bill too high in Germany? How to tell if your Nebenkosten are wrong
- → Higher Nebenkosten advance payment: when can your landlord raise it?
- → Nebenkostenabrechnung check in English: how it works and what it costs