The government acts as a shield of protective measures during an energy crisis, aiming to blunt the impact of rising prices. For two years, authorities have been crafting, redefining, and expanding anti-crisis plans to manage electricity, natural gas, and fuel costs.
The European Commission views energy markets as largely under control and has begun urging member states to wind down extraordinary anti-crisis supports. The focus is shifting toward refining how structural protections are implemented for vulnerable households. Amid an election campaign, Spanish political parties debate how to structure electricity and gas bill assistance.
Today, the main ongoing form of support is anchored in social programs tied to electricity and heating. The electricity social bonus offers discounts on electric bills, typically between 25% and 40% depending on vulnerability, with temporary increases that have reached 65% and 80% during crisis surges. Eligibility requires a contract under a regulated electricity tariff known as the voluntary price for small consumers.
Those benefiting from the electricity and thermal social bonuses may also receive a check to help cover some gas, water, and heating costs. The thermal bonus currently provides a single payment ranging from 40 to 375 euros per year, depending on vulnerability and climate zone.
PP: a single energy subsidy as a uniform check
The People’s Party proposes unifying energy assistance into a single social bond that would help vulnerable households with energy costs. Instead of a discount on the bill, this would be a universal “help check” available to consumers regardless of whether they are on a regulated or free market rate.
The PP has not laid out the financing details for a single social bond, noting that the goal is to protect households within available resources and, if needed, with credit supplements from the public sector. Supporters argue a single program could be progressive and fairer, charging higher earners more and reducing the burden on lower-income households by distributing costs more evenly across consumers.
Think tanks connected to the PP and Faes have circulated proposals for an electricity reform that includes a unified social system. One idea is to replace the current electricity and thermal bonuses with a single energy subsidy funded by all energy suppliers or by public budgets. This approach would shift the cost away from utilities and onto a broader payer base.
Supreme Court halts small electric firms’ bid to dodge social bonuses
In a political climate where a conservative coalition could emerge, the PP’s potential partner does not specify how aid would be added to bills and instead emphasizes tax reductions targeted at households, including extended families. The stance focuses on cutting taxes and fees that appear on electricity, water, and gas invoices, but without detailed plans.
How the left would reinforce social protections
Socialist and allied parties appear prepared to maintain separate social bonds for electricity and heating, keeping the requirement of a regulated rate to access them, while sharing the cost across all electricity companies approved last year. The stance is to ensure the costs are borne by the market participants as a group rather than by the public alone.
Proposals include strengthening thermal and electrical bonds and creating a designation for an “electro-dependent consumer”—households with high electrical needs for medical devices or essential care—allowing them to receive differentiated bill treatment. A key reform would automate the process for applying and renewing social bonds so beneficiaries are not left waiting or unable to activate benefits.
Renewables push for a fresh extension of protections
Led by a prominent government figure, the reform agenda envisions a new tariff model that reduces taxes, fees, and tolls on the regulated portion of the bill based on household consumption. The plan aims to guarantee a minimum consumption level for electricity, gas, and water, guaranteeing basic access. For electricity, a minimum annual allocation—such as the first 1,500 kilowatt-hours—would enjoy a reduced 4% VAT and lower regulated fares and tolls, moving toward a zero-cost rate for vulnerable consumers.