Government plans gas price protection for 2027. What about businesses?

The Ministry of Energy has prepared proposed legislation intended to protect selected groups of consumers against rising natural gas prices in 2027. This is a response to continued uncertainty in the European energy market. However, the published proposals do not include a general support mechanism for businesses, which may also be affected by higher gas prices.

New Measures in Response to Rising Gas Prices

On 6 November 2026, the outline of a bill on special protection for certain gas consumers in 2027 (UD501) was published in the Council of Ministers’ legislative work programme.

The Ministry of Energy notes that conditions in the European and global gas markets remain unstable, and ongoing geopolitical tensions could lead to a significant increase in costs borne by consumers in 2027.

The figures cited in the outline illustrate the scale of this risk. The average price of futures contracts for gas deliveries in Poland in 2027 rose from approximately PLN 132/MWh in January 2026 to approximately PLN 307/MWh between 1 and 21 October 2026.

In response to these changes, the government proposes introducing a maximum gas price for protected consumers, primarily households and certain entities performing public service functions.

A compensation scheme is also envisaged for energy companies required to apply the maximum price.

Businesses Outside the Main Scope of the Proposed Protection

The published proposals do not envisage an equivalent solution for businesses in general that use natural gas in their operations.

This includes industrial enterprises, food processing plants and other companies for which gas accounts for a significant share of operating costs.

This does not mean that no business will be eligible for the proposed protection. Some entities conducting business activities, for example in healthcare, education or social care, may fall within the statutory list of protected consumers.

However, conducting business activities alone, even with significant gas consumption, will not provide a basis for applying the maximum price.

For businesses using gas in production processes, this means that the risk of rising gas prices will remain an important factor in planning operating costs for 2027.

Compensation Mechanisms for Businesses Have Been Used Before

It is worth recalling that, in response to the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Poland introduced measures to mitigate the impact of rising energy prices on businesses.

One such measure was an aid programme for energy-intensive sectors, providing compensation for sudden increases in natural gas and electricity prices. The support was aimed at businesses meeting specific conditions relating to energy intensity and the type of activity conducted.

In 2023, maximum electricity price mechanisms were also in place for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

These measures were neither universal nor identical for all consumers. However, they demonstrate that instruments helping businesses mitigate the effects of sharp increases in energy costs have already been used in exceptional circumstances.

Will the Scope of Support Be Extended?

The proposal concerning gas price protection in 2027 is still undergoing the legislative process. Its final form may therefore change.

At this stage, it does not envisage a separate compensation mechanism for businesses facing increased natural gas purchase costs.

This does not, of course, rule out the introduction of other forms of assistance in the future.

However, the risk of rising gas prices that underpins the preparation of protective measures for households and public service entities may also have a significant impact on businesses’ financial position.

For manufacturing companies, higher gas prices may affect not only profitability, but also the competitiveness of their products and their ability to plan investments.

An important issue for further legislative work is therefore whether to include businesses particularly exposed to rising gas costs, taking into account available public funds and state aid rules.

Regardless of the final form of the proposed legislation, businesses should factor the risk of gas price changes into their planning for 2027 and monitor further legislative developments.

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Contact

Krzysztof Wiński
Partner | Thedy & Partners
Email: krzysztof.winski@thedy.pl
Tel.: +48 519 506 434

If you have any questions about the proposed regulatory changes, their impact on business operations or available support mechanisms, please get in touch.

This article was prepared on the basis of the outline of bill UD501, published on 6 November 2026 in the Council of Ministers’ legislative work programme. The information reflects the status of legislative work as at 9 November 2026.