The electric social bonus allows reducing up to 57.5% the billable concepts of the electricity bill for households that meet the established requirements. The aid, especially relevant given the increase in consumption during winter, is conditioned on income, family situation, and the contracting of the regulated rate.
The extraordinary discounts in effect during 2026 reach 42.5% for vulnerable consumers and 57.5% for severely vulnerable consumers, according to the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC). These reductions will be maintained until December 31 and do not apply indiscriminately to the entire bill, as there are consumption limits and specific conditions to access the aid.
Who has the right to the electric social bonus in 2026
To apply for the electric social bonus, it is necessary to be the holder of the supply contract for the habitual residence, have a contracted power equal to or less than 10 kilowatts, and be subject to the Voluntary Price for the Small Consumer (PVPC), the regulated rate marketed by certain authorized companies.
The recognition of the condition of vulnerable consumer depends on the income of the household unit or belonging to certain groups. Among the possible beneficiaries are large families, recipients of the minimum vital income, and certain pensioners with minimum benefits, in addition to households that meet the economic thresholds established by the regulations.
For a person living alone, the general income limit is 12,600 euros per year, equivalent to 1.5 times the IPREM of 14 payments. The amount increases by 2,520 euros for each additional adult and by 4,200 euros for each minor who is part of the household unit.
In this way, a couple with one minor child can access the aid under the general income criterion when their joint income does not exceed 19,320 euros per year. The limits can be raised under certain circumstances, such as the existence of a recognized disability, a situation of dependency, gender violence, or a single-parent family.
What are the requirements to obtain the bonus
For consumers who access aid based on the general income criterion, the consideration of severely vulnerable consumers requires that income does not exceed 50% of the threshold corresponding to the vulnerable consumer. For a person living alone, this means a maximum income of 6,300 euros per year, although large families and certain pensioners are subject to specific rules.
Households recognized as severely vulnerable consumers receiving assistance from social services may have additional protection if the competent administration covers at least half of the bill. Under these circumstances, they are considered consumers at risk of social exclusion, with a specific protection regime against non-payments.
How much money can be saved on the bill
The effective savings depend on the contracted power, electricity consumption, and the recognized vulnerability category, because the discount is applied to the power term and only to the energy consumed within the eligible limits. The kilowatt-hours that exceed those maximums are paid at the ordinary price of the PVPC.
In a hypothetical bill of 60 euros before taxes, composed of 20 euros for power and 40 euros of fully eligible energy, a vulnerable consumer entitled to a 42.5% discount would pay 34.50 euros for those concepts, which means a monthly saving of 25.50 euros.
If that same household were recognized as severely vulnerable, the 57.5% discount would reduce the amount to 25.50 euros, with a saving of 34.50 euros per month. In both cases, these are indicative simulations that do not include taxes, meter rental, or other concepts that may appear on the bill.
How to apply for the social bonus and what documentation to present
The application must be addressed to a reference marketer, which is the company authorized to offer the PVPC and manage this aid. Among them are Energía XXI, Curenergía, Comercializadora Regulada Gas & Power, Baser, Régsiti, and Comercializador de Referencia Energético, in addition to the specific companies in Ceuta and Melilla.
Interested parties must complete the application form of the marketer and submit the documentation corresponding to their family and economic situation. Usually, identification of the members of the household unit, the certificate of registration, and the documents that prove its composition are required, in addition to specific receipts when special circumstances occur.
Those who have contracted electricity in the free market must switch to the regulated PVPC rate in order to benefit from the social bonus. The procedure is carried out through the chosen reference marketer and not directly with the electricity distributor.
What will happen to the social bonus starting in January 2027
The extraordinary discounts of 42.5% and 57.5% have an end date of December 31, 2026, so their continuity will depend on a possible new extension or regulatory modification. If changes are not approved, the ordinary percentages expected are 35% for vulnerable consumers and 50% for severely vulnerable ones.
Beneficiary individuals can also access the thermal social bonus, a differentiated economic aid aimed at compensating for heating, hot water, and cooking expenses. Its amount depends on the climatic zone of residence and the degree of vulnerability, and it is paid through an annual contribution.