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Electricity & gas · Italy
Checked 2026-09-27

💸 I can’t pay my energy bill in Italy. Can they cut me off?

The short answer

A cut-off is the last step, not the first. There are rules on notice and protection, and help if your income is low.

📜 The rules in Italy

Protection against cut-off

For unpaid bills the supplier must send a formal notice by registered letter or PEC. Cut-off cannot happen before 40 days from receipt, and power may be reduced to 15% in the last 15 days. No cut-offs on Fridays, Saturdays or holidays. Customers on life-support equipment can never be disconnected.

Official source: arera.it · Checked 2026-09-27

Help if money is tight

Discount applied automatically on electricity and gas bills for 12 months if your household's ISEE is up to 9,796 euro (20,000 euro with at least 4 dependent children). Just submit the DSU to INPS to get an ISEE; the contract must be in the name of a household member. A separate bonus exists for serious health conditions.

Bonus sociale luce e gas 🔗 arera.it
Official source: arera.it · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Act before the deadlineContact the supplier as soon as you know you cannot pay and ask for a payment plan. Put it in writing.
  2. Check the protection rulesSee below what notice the supplier must give and when a cut-off is not allowed in Italy.
  3. Ask for supportCheck the support scheme below and contact free debt or energy advice.
  4. Answer every letterKeep copies. If a cut-off is announced wrongly, complain straight away to the supplier and the dispute body.

📇 Who to contact

Bonus sociale luce e gasDiscount or support scheme for energy costsIf you have a low income or receive benefits🔗 www.arera.it/consumatori/bonus-sociale
Sportello per il consumatore Energia e AmbienteFree advice on energy costs and saving energyWhen bills are too high or you are behind on payments🔗 www.sportelloperilconsumatore.it
Servizio Conciliazione ARERASettles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint🔗 conciliazione.arera.it/risoluzione-controversie/servizio-conciliazione-gen
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

Can they cut me off without warning?

No, written notice is required. The exact period for Italy is on this page.

Is there winter protection?

Some countries have it. The rules for Italy are shown on this page.

Does a payment plan stop a cut-off?

A payment plan you keep to generally prevents a cut-off. Get it confirmed in writing.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 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

🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→📣Complaint about a supplier→

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