Starting today, April 2, 2025, a new initiative from the Italian government is set to ease the burden of utility bills for many households. The government has launched a 200 euro bonus on electricity bills, automatically applied to those already receiving the social electricity contribution. This benefit targets individuals with an ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) below 9,530 euros, or those with an ISEE of up to 20,000 euros if they have at least four dependent children.
This measure is part of the "Bollette decree," which is currently undergoing conversion into law in the Chamber of Deputies. As the government seeks to expand the program, the Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks, and Environment (Arera) is expected to adopt additional measures shortly. These will aim to complete the group of beneficiaries eligible for the extraordinary contribution and define the methods and timing of disbursement for all entitled individuals, extending the ISEE threshold up to 25,000 euros.
Arera emphasizes that to automatically receive social bonuses and the extraordinary contribution, eligible individuals must present the Single Substitute Declaration (Dsu) and obtain an ISEE certificate within the limits set by the legislation. According to Arera, those classified as 'vulnerable' include individuals in at least one of several conditions: being over 75 years old, receiving a social bonus, having a disability as defined in Article 3 of Law 104/92, residing in emergency housing, living on a non-interconnected minor island, or using life-saving equipment.
In a broader context, starting this month and for the second quarter of the year, electricity prices are set to decrease by 2.4%. This reduction is particularly significant for the 'typical' vulnerable customer served under greater protection, which includes approximately 3.4 million people. Arera also notes that all vulnerable customers currently in the free market have the right to switch to greater protection.
For the typical vulnerable user in the Maggior Tutela regime, with annual consumption of 2,000 kWh and a committed power of 3 kW, the annual expenditure is projected to reach 563.75 euros for the period between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. This figure represents an 8.7% increase compared to the previous year, where the expenditure was 518.44 euros.
The breakdown of costs for the typical customer reveals that from April 1, 2025, the reference price of electricity will be 30.54 cents per kilowatt-hour, including taxes. This amount is divided as follows: 16.05 cents (52.6% of the total bill) for energy supply costs, which reflects a decrease of 3.5% compared to the first quarter of 2025; 2.07 cents (6.8% of the total bill) for retail marketing, unchanged from the previous quarter; 6.28 cents (20.6% of the total) for transport and meter management services, also unchanged; 3.13 cents (10.2% of the total) for system charges, which decreased by 2.7%; and 3.01 cents (9.8% of the total) for taxes, including VAT and excise duties.
Arera's recent announcements come amid ongoing discussions about energy costs and the financial pressures many households face. The authority's efforts to clarify the eligibility criteria for the new bonus and the associated processes are crucial for ensuring that those who need assistance can access it without unnecessary hurdles.
As the energy landscape continues to evolve, these measures reflect the government's commitment to supporting vulnerable populations while also addressing the broader economic context of energy prices. The expected decrease in electricity costs, paired with the new bonus initiative, aims to provide much-needed relief to families struggling with rising living expenses.
In summary, the automatic application of the 200 euro bonus for eligible households marks a significant step towards alleviating some of the financial burdens associated with utility bills. With additional measures on the horizon, Arera aims to ensure that more individuals can benefit from these crucial supports.
