Am I entitled to the social energy tariff?
Conditional on income or social benefits — but it's automatic, you don't apply. There are two eligibility paths: (a) receiving a social benefit (Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly, RSI, Social Unemployment Benefit, Family Allowance, Social Invalidity Pension); or (b) annual household income ≤ €6,272.64 (plus 50% per income-less member). The award is automatic, by a monthly cross-check of tax and Social Security data; the supplier applies the discount and you have 30 days to opt out. For electricity it requires domestic use, permanent residence, the contract in the beneficiary's name and contracted power ≤ 6.9 kVA. In 2026, the discount is 33.8% on electricity and 31.2% on gas. In short: yes, if you meet the criteria — with no red tape.
📋 The rules
- Path 1: receiving an eligible social benefit
- Path 2: household income ≤ €6,272.64 (+50%/member)
- Automatic award (data cross-check)
- Electricity: power ≤ 6.9 kVA, permanent residence
- 2026 discount: 33.8% electricity, 31.2% gas
🔓 Exceptions
- Power above 6.9 kVA: excluded
- Second homes/commercial contracts: excluded
- 30 days to opt out, if you don't want it
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no "fine" — what's at stake is the right to the discount. The tariff is automatic: if you meet the criteria, it's applied without your needing to ask, though the data cross-check can fail if information is incomplete or the contract holder doesn't match the benefit recipient. The figures (reference income ~€6,272.64 and discounts of 33.8%/31.2%) are revised periodically. Beware myths: "you must apply at your supplier" — outdated (it's automatic since 2016); and many "social tariff 2026 / up to 65% discount / CadÚnico" results are Brazilian, a different scheme. To secure the right: check the contract is in the beneficiary's name, that power doesn't exceed 6.9 kVA, and check the bill to see the discount is applied — if you qualify and it isn't, contact the supplier.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Who is entitled to the social energy tariff?
Low-income households or those receiving certain social benefits, such as the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly, RSI, Social Unemployment Benefit, Family Allowance or Social Invalidity Pension. Alternatively, households with annual income of €6,272.64 or less, plus 50% per income-less member, qualify.
Do I have to apply for the social tariff?
No. The social energy tariff is awarded automatically, by a monthly cross-check of tax and Social Security data. The supplier applies the discount without your needing to ask. You have 30 days to opt out if you don't want it. It's a myth that you must apply at your supplier.
What's the discount?
In 2026, the social-tariff discount is 33.8% on electricity and 31.2% on natural gas, applied to the regulated tariffs, before VAT. These figures are revised periodically. The discount is a direct reduction in the energy bill of beneficiary households.
What conditions apply to electricity?
For electricity, it must be for domestic use, at the permanent residence, with the contract in the beneficiary's name and a contracted power of 6.9 kVA or less. Higher powers, second homes and commercial contracts are excluded from the social tariff.
What if I qualify but don't have the discount?
Since the award is automatic, the discount may not appear if the data cross-check fails, for example if information is incomplete or the contract holder doesn't match the benefit recipient. In that case, you should check the data and contact your energy supplier.
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