The Italian government is preparing a new energy decree aimed at easing the burden of high energy costs on both families and businesses, with measures including a one-time payment of 90 euros for those already receiving energy bill assistance and potential discounts for a wider range of households. The decree, expected to be reviewed by the Council of Ministers, seeks to address ongoing concerns about energy prices and reduce volatility in the market.
A key component of the “Decreto Energia” is a 315 million euro fund earmarked for a supplementary payment of 90 euros to families already enrolled in the social energy bonus program for 2026. This payment will be applied as a credit towards electricity bills, with the Authority of Regulation for Energy Networks and Environment (ARERA) tasked with establishing the specific implementation details.
Beyond the existing bonus recipients, the decree proposes extending assistance to households with an annual ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) of up to 25,000 euros, even if they are not currently eligible for the social bonus. Energy vendors will be authorized to offer a contribution to these customers in 2026 and 2027, equivalent to the “Energy Price” component of their bill for the first two months of the year. Eligibility for this expanded support is contingent on consumption limits: no more than 0.5 MWh for the billing period and less than 3 MWh annually.
The decree also addresses natural gas prices, proposing a mechanism involving auctions that will average the price between the TTF (Title Transfer Facility – a key European gas benchmark) and the Italian market. This aims to mitigate price fluctuations. The government intends to sell off some of the gas reserves accumulated during previous emergency situations, with the revenue generated being used to reduce system charges.
Although the gas-related measures are expected to primarily benefit energy-intensive businesses, officials suggest they could indirectly stabilize the market and prevent further price spikes for residential consumers. The government views the decree as a vital step in protecting households from the impact of rising energy costs, which affect expenses such as heating, hot water, and appliance operation.
The decree acknowledges that long-term solutions require investment in energy efficiency, including home insulation, modern heating systems, and renewable energy sources like photovoltaic panels. Reducing energy consumption is presented as a key strategy for lessening vulnerability to market volatility.