German households will have to pay hundreds of pounds more a year for gas under a levy to help energy companies cover the cost of replacing Russian supplies.
Before the Ukraine war, Germany imported more than half its gas from Russia.
Germany already has amongst the highest household gas bills in Europe.
The government said the move was necessary to prevent the collapse of the German energy market.
Ministers have promised the levy, which will be imposed from 1 October and remain in place until April 2024, will be accompanied by additional support for households.
Gas prices have soared since the invasion of Ukraine, as Western countries imposed sanctions and pledged to phase out Russian imports.
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(Source: BBC News, August 16-2022)