The ongoing energy crisis has deeply affected households across Spain, with months of sharp price increases weighing on vulnerable families. Electricity costs have fallen from their wartime peaks but still sit above long-term averages, leaving many households navigating higher bills than in the past. The strain is evident in the growing number of families receiving social electricity support, a program that discounts bills for those most in need.
By the end of July, official government records show that more than 1.5 million households benefited from the social electricity bonus for the first time, with approximately 1.521 million families receiving this aid after a period of substantial increases during the crisis. While this indicates that aid is reaching more homes, it also underscores that more families require help in a difficult energy landscape.
Beneficiary numbers rose by about 267,300 in a single year, a 21 percent increase. Since July 2022, discounts have been available for vulnerable and severely vulnerable individuals. Since the crisis began, the total number of beneficiaries has grown by about 31 percent, with 359,600 additional families added since May 2021, prior to the first emergency measures. This trend aligns with broader government analyses and monitoring by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and the CNMC, which tracked the measures’ impact on curbing price increases in mid-2021.
The social electricity bonus typically provides a reduction of 25 to 40 percent on electricity bills, depending on the level of vulnerability. In response to the crisis, extraordinary subsidies temporarily raised discounts to as high as 65 to 80 percent for most beneficiaries. The extra aid is planned to continue through the end of the year, with decisions pending on possible extensions.
The electricity bonus also offers access to the thermal social bonus, a voucher that helps cover part of gas, water, and heating costs through an annual payment ranging from 40 to 375 euros. The exact amount depends on vulnerability level and regional climate conditions.
The social electricity bonus costs around 800 million euros annually and is distributed among electricity operators according to market share, with these costs ultimately reflected in customer bills. The thermal social bonus, about 260 million euros, is funded from the general state budget.
Approximately a quarter of recipients come from large families. By the end of July, about 1.52 million people benefited, with nearly three-quarters of cases tied to income-based criteria. Roughly 1 million are classified as vulnerable or severely vulnerable households, including around 105,000 retirees on the minimum pension and about 11,000 people receiving the minimum living income.
One in four beneficiaries belongs to a large family, defined as households with three or more children, and many cases do not rely solely on income criteria. Around 379,400 large families had received aid by the end of July, according to government data that does not distinguish between different recipients within this group.
However, CNMC notes that data up to April show most large families benefit from a basic 25 percent discount simply due to household size, while some are considered vulnerable consumers. The strong impact of low income means discounts can reach up to 80 percent for those households. Of the 346,571 major-beneficiary families in April, 101,226 were considered due to seriously vulnerable status based on income.
A reform on large-family eligibility was announced in mid-March. The government said it would revise the conditions by applying family income ceilings for social assistance on electricity bills and other energy costs, aiming to ensure discounts reach those in genuine need.
The executive later emphasized a desire to implement reforms quickly, though progress stalled for six months. Teresa Ribera, vice president and minister for Ecological Transition, confirmed ongoing talks with major family associations to agree on changes and that reforms would not occur before the 23J elections. Once the government was formed, reform discussions were postponed pending a final inquiry. There is no definitive update on the issue yet.
The reform discussions followed a controversy after it emerged that Madrid regional leaders had received social bonuses for electricity and thermal assistance not strictly tied to low family income. Since the reform announcement, approximately 16,500 new large families joined the list of social electricity beneficiaries.
The government signaled that large families would retain social electricity and gas bonuses after the reform, with much higher income thresholds per child. A formal maximum income figure has not been published, but the ministry intends to be flexible and allow higher incomes for each additional child.
As a rule, income thresholds are built from adding 0.5 times the IPREM indicator, which stands at 8,400 euros per year in 14 installments for this year. For large families, the higher multiplier will help maintain eligibility for the bonuses.
Currently, a household with two adults and one child is considered vulnerable with an annual income under 19,320 euros; two adults and two children cap at 23,520 euros. For large families, the threshold starting from the third child is around 26,500 euros.