The Italian government is poised to approve a new Decreto Energia that aims to soften the impact of soaring energy costs on households and businesses. The bill, slated for discussion in the Council of Ministers, tackles both the price of natural gas and the cost of electricity, while expanding the existing Bonus Bollette scheme.
At the heart of the measure are two direct cash‑in‑hand supports. For families already receiving the bonus sociale elettrico, the decree earmarks an extra €90€315 million, with the regulator ARERA tasked with issuing the implementing rules.
Beyond the traditional bonus, the decree widens the eligibility net to include families whose annual ISEE does not exceed €25,000. For 2026 and 2027, electricity suppliers may grant a one‑off “contributo straordinario” to these households, provided they are not already beneficiaries of the bonus sociale.
Extra €90 for bonus‑social recipients
The immediate benefit targets the roughly 2 million Italians who currently enjoy the bonus sociale for electricity. Under the new provision, each eligible household will see a €90 reduction applied directly to the “materia prima energia” line of their bill. ARARA will publish the detailed methodology in a forthcoming decree, ensuring the funds are distributed before the complete of 2026.
New contribution for households with ISEE up to €25,000
For families that fall just above the traditional bonus threshold, the decree introduces a supplemental discount. The amount is calculated as the “Prezzo Energia” portion of the bill for the first two months of the year, effectively lowering the cost of electricity during the winter peak.
To qualify, households must meet two consumption caps:
- The electricity usage in the first bimestre must not exceed 0.5 MWh.
- The total consumption over the previous 12 months must be under 3 MWh.
These limits are intended to direct the aid toward standard‑size homes and prevent excessive subsidies for high‑consumption users.
Gas‑price reforms to curb volatility
The decree also addresses the volatile natural‑gas market, a long‑standing source of uncertainty for both industry and households. It introduces a new auction mechanism that sets the gas price as a weighted average of the European TTF index and the Italian market price, smoothing sharp spikes.
the government plans to sell a portion of the emergency gas reserves accumulated during previous crises. Proceeds from that sale will be earmarked to reduce certain system charges, a move that should indirectly benefit residential consumers by lowering overall market pressure.
Why the changes matter for everyday Italians
Energy costs touch every aspect of domestic life—from heating and hot‑water production to powering appliances and air‑conditioning. By delivering immediate cash relief and stabilising wholesale gas prices, the decree seeks to protect household budgets that have been squeezed by years of rising tariffs.
Experts stress that the measures are a stop‑gap, not a long‑term fix. Sustainable relief will also require improvements in building efficiency, such as better insulation, modern heating systems, heat‑pump installations and rooftop photovoltaics. Those investments can reduce dependence on market‑driven price swings and lower overall consumption.
Next steps and where to watch for updates
The decree is expected to be signed into law within the next few weeks. Once enacted, ARERA will release an implementing decree outlining the exact calculation methods, timelines for the €90 bonus‑sociale supplement and the ISEE‑based contribution, as well as the operational details of the gas‑auction formula.
Stakeholders—including consumer associations, energy suppliers and regional authorities—have pledged to monitor the rollout closely. The first batch of payments to bonus‑sociale households should appear on bills issued in the second half of 2026, while the ISEE‑linked discounts are slated for the first bimestre of 2026 and 2027.
Readers are encouraged to follow official communications from the Ministry of Economy and Finance and ARERA for the latest guidance. Share your thoughts on how the new measures may affect your household, and let us know if you have questions about eligibility.
