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Electricity & gas · Italy
Checked 2026-09-30

⏱️ Fixed price or dynamic (hourly) electricity contract in Italy: which is right for me?

The short answer

A fixed price stays the same for an agreed period. A dynamic price follows the wholesale market hour by hour, so it can be cheaper when you shift your use, and more expensive at peak times.

📜 The rules in Italy

Fixed and dynamic contracts

In Italy every household can ask for a fixed-price electricity contract of at least one year, and every supplier with more than 200,000 customers must offer it. This comes from Legislative Decree 3/2026, which transposed Directive (EU) 2024/1711 into Legislative Decree 210/2021.

  • If you have a smart meter, you can ask any supplier with more than 200,000 customers for a dynamic-price contract that follows the spot market. The supplier must explain the conditions, the opportunities and the risks before you sign. (normattiva.it)
  • During a fixed-price, fixed-term contract the supplier may not change the price or duration to your disadvantage on its own. Every offer must say whether the price is fixed, variable or dynamic. (normattiva.it)
Official source: normattiva.it · Checked 2026-09-30

🪜 Step by step

  1. Look at how you use energyA dynamic price suits people who can move use to cheap hours, for example with an electric car, a heat pump or a timer. It needs a smart meter.
  2. Check what is on offerSee below what the rules in Italy say about fixed-price and dynamic contracts and who has to offer them.
  3. Read the risks and the termsBefore you sign, the supplier must explain the costs and risks of a dynamic contract. Check the notice period and any exit fee.
  4. Review after a few monthsCompare your bills with what a fixed price would have cost. You can switch again under your contract terms.

📇 Who to contact

Portale Offerte luce e gas (ARERA) officialCompare electricity and gas offersBefore you switch, or when your price goes up🔗 www.ilportaleofferte.it/portaleOfferte
ARERA - Autorità di Regolazione per Energia Reti e AmbienteSupervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 800.166.654🔗 www.arera.it/consumatori

❓ Questions

Is a dynamic contract cheaper?

Only if you use a lot of power when prices are low. At peak times it can cost much more than a fixed price.

Do I need a smart meter?

Yes. Hourly prices need a meter that records your use per hour or per quarter hour.

Can a fixed price still go up?

Normally not during the fixed period, but taxes and network charges can change. The rules for Italy are on this page.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-30

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

📈Price increase→🔄Switching supplier→📟Smart meter→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→

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