Social Bonus
Social Bonus
Protection for consumers with less economic means
Subsidised Electricity Rate for
vulnerable consumers
The Subsidised Electricity Rate is a Government regulated mechanism that seeks to protect vulnerable consumers who have limited economic means.
The current conditions for qualifying for the Subsidised Electricity Rate are set out in Royal Decree 897/2017 , dated 8 October 2017
This regulation establishes three categories of vulnerable customers, with different discounts on the price of the Voluntary Price for the Small Consumer (PVPC, in the Spanish acronym).
Subsidised Rate Renewal
- The subsidised electricity rate is valid for 2 years, except for large families, for whom it ends when the status for being considered a large family expires. The valid date is shown on all bills.
- In general, it is not necessary to submit a renewal application. 3 months before the subsidised rate period ends, we will automatically check that you still fulfil the requirements, and if you do, the subsidised rate will be applied for a further 2 years. The result of this verification will be included in the following bill.
- However, there are some situations in which it is necessary to submit a renewal application (click here for details). In this case, when the end of the validity for the subsidised rate approaches, we will notify you so that you can submit your application. You may submit your renewal request using the form above (“Subsidised Rate Web Form”).
Essential requirements
There are three categories of vulnerable customers: Vulnerable Consumers, Severely Vulnerable Consumers and Consumers at Risk of Social Exclusion.
Royal Decree-Law 4/2024, Article 20, establishes the different discount values to be applied exceptionally for the coming months. In the case of the Vulnerable Consumer, these values are the following:
- Until September 30, 2024: 65%
- From October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024: 57.5%
- From January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025: 50%
- From April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025: 42.5%
From July 1, 2025, the normal value of the discount will apply: 35%
One of the following requirements must be met to be considered a vulnerable consumer:
INCOME
Their income or, if they are part of a cohabitation unit, the joint annual income of the cohabitation unit to which they belong is equal to or less than 1.5 times the Public Indicator of Income for Multiple Effects (IPREM) for 14 payments. The amount of the IPREM for 14 payments is €8.400.
When the cohabitation unit consists of more than one person, the income multiplier with respect to the IPREM index of 14 payments will be increased by 0.3 for each additional adult member of the cohabitation unit and 0.5 for each minor child in the cohabitation unit.
If they meet special circumstances, the above limits are increased by 1 point.
LARGE FAMILY
Have large family status.
PENSIONER
That the consumer and, in the case of forming part of a cohabitation unit, all the members thereof that have income, are pensioners of the Social Security System due to retirement or permanent disability, receiving the minimum amount in force at any moment for said types of pension, and do not receive other income whose aggregate annual amount exceeds €500.
MINIMUM LIVING INCOME
That the consumer or a member of the cohabitation unit is a beneficiary of the Minimum Living Income as established in Law 19/2021, of 20 December, which establishes the minimum living income.
Royal Decree-Law 4/2024, Article 20, establishes the different discount values to be applied exceptionally for the coming months. In the case of the Severe Vulnerable Consumer, these values are the following:
- Until September 30, 2024: 80%
- From October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024: 72.5%
- From January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025: 65%
- From April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025: 57.5%
From July 1, 2025, the normal value of the discount will apply: 50%
To be considered a severely vulnerable consumer, the requirements to be considered a vulnerable consumer must be met, and additionally:
INCOME
The cohabitation unit should receive an annual income equal to or less than 50% of the thresholds set to be considered as a vulnerable consumer, including, where appropriate, the allowances for special circumstances
LARGE FAMILY
The cohabitation unit should receive annual income equal to or less than €16.800 (2 x IPREM of 14 payments).
PENSIONER
The cohabitation unit should receive an annual income equal to or less than €8.400 (1 x IPREM of 14 payments).
MINIMUM LIVING INCOME
The cohabitation unit should receive an annual income equal to or less than 50% of the thresholds set to be considered as a vulnerable consumer, including, where appropriate, the allowances for special circumstances.
They must meet the requirements to be considered severely vulnerable and also be assisted by the Social Services department of a regional of local Public Administration (that finances at least 50% of the amount of their VPSC before applying the discount for Subsidised Rate).
The Social Services department in question must prove the payments made within 5 months of the date of the bill.
Consumers at Risk of Social Exclusion are not required to pay their electricity bills and their supply cannot be cut off due to non-payment.
Calculate income limits
Select one of the categories to find out whether you are a vulnerable consumer or a severely vulnerable consumer.
How many adults are there in your cohabitation unit, including yourself?
How many minors are there in your cohabitation unit?
Do you meet any of the special circumstances set out in the regulation for the Subsidised Rate?
These are the income limits
For a cohabitation unit with
- If the income level is less than €
6.300,00 , you are a severely vulnerable consumer. - If the income level is between €
6.300,00 and €12.600,00 you are a vulnerable consumer. - If the income level is higher than €
12.600,00 you do not meet the requirements to access the Subsidised Rate.
These are the income limits
If you have large family status:
- If the income level is less than €16.800, you are a severely vulnerable consumer.
- If the income level is higher than €16.800, you are a vulnerable consumer.
These are the income limits
If the income of your cohabitation unit corresponds to minimum retirement or permanent disability pensions, as established in the regulations, and you do not receive any other extra income that exceeds €500 per year:
- If the income level is less than €8.400, you are a severely vulnerable consumer.
- If the income level is higher than €8.400, you are a vulnerable consumer.
If you do not meet the requirements to access the Subsidised Rate through the Minimum Pension criterion, you can check if you meet the requirements to access it through Income.
How many adults are there in your cohabitation unit, including yourself?
How many minors are there in your cohabitation unit?
Do you meet any of the special circumstances set out in the regulation for the Subsidised Rate?
These are the income limits
For a cohabitation unit with
- If the income level is less than €
7.295,65 , you are a severely vulnerable consumer. - If the income level is higher than €
7.295,65 , you are a vulnerable consumer.
Documents required for all groups
Social Bonus form signed by all members of the Cohabitation unit over 14 years old.
Where can they be requested
On the website, at customer service points or by telephone (900 200 708).
Photocopy of the holder's NIF/NIE of the holder and of each of the members of the Cohabitation unit, including those under 14 if they have one.
Photocopy of the family book record and/or birth or marriage/civil partnership certificates that prove the relationship of the people in the cohabitation unit with the applicant. In the case of an applicant without a spouse, their marital status can be accredited by means of a responsible declaration included in the form (Ver modelo)
Where can they be requested
Civil Registry
Current Local Residence Registration Certificate for the holder and all members of the family unit.
Where can they be requested
City Council
Large families only
Photocopy of large family certificate ("título de familia numerosa")
Where can they be requested
Family area in your Autonomous Community.
only if certain circumstances are met
Certificate proving "special circumstances" (ver modelo, in no case shall it expressly state the specific circumstance or the member of the Cohabitation Unit who finds themselves in these circumstances)
- Recognised disability ≥ 33%
- Situatin of gender-based violence
- Status of victim of terrorism
- Dependency grade II or III
Where can they be requested
Social Affairs Department in your City Council or in your Autonomous Community.
Accreditation of "special circumstances" in single-parent families: no additional documentation is required in addition to the family book and Local Residence Registration Certificate (see previous points). Yes, the "special circumstances" option must be ticked in the application form.
Minimum living income only
In most of the territory, it is not necessary to provide documentation proving receipt of the Minimum Living Income
Only the Basque Country, Navarre and Catalonia, and as long as the telematic application that verifies compliance with the requirements to be a beneficiary of the subsidised rate is not adapted to automatically check the beneficiaries of the minimum living income:
- Documentation proving that a member of the Cohabitation Unit is a beneficiary of the Minimum Living Income.
Where can they be requested
Social Security
Lanbide (Basque Country)
Government of Navarre
Generalitat de Catalunya
Documents required for all groups |
Where can they be requested |
|---|---|
|
Social Bonus form signed by all members of the Cohabitation unit over 14 years old. |
On the website, at customer service points or by telephone (900 200 708). |
|
Photocopies of Spanish National or Spanish Foreigner ID ("DNI" or "NIE") of the holder and of each of the members of the Cohabitation unit, including those under 14 if they have one. |
|
|
Photocopy of the family book record and/or birth or marriage/civil partnership certificates that prove the relationship of the people in the cohabitation unit with the applicant. In the case of an applicant without a spouse, their marital status can be accredited by means of a responsible declaration included in the form (Ver modelo) |
Civil Registry |
|
Current Local Residence Registration Certificate for the holder and all members of the family unit. |
City Council. |
Large families only |
Where can they be requested |
|
Photocopy of large family certificate ("título de familia numerosa") |
Family area in your Autonomous Community. |
only if certain circumstances are met |
Where can they be requested |
|
Certificate proving "special circumstances" (ver modelo, in no case shall it expressly state the specific circumstance or the member of the Cohabitation Unit who finds themselves in these circumstances)
|
Social Affairs Department in your City Council or in your Autonomous Community. |
|
Accreditation of "special circumstances" in single-parent families: no additional documentation is required in addition to the family book and Local Residence Registration Certificate (see previous points). Yes, the "special circumstances" option must be ticked in the application form. |
|
Minimum living income only |
Where can they be requested |
|
In most of the territory, it is not necessary to provide documentation proving receipt of the Minimum Living Income Only the Basque Country, Navarre and Catalonia, and as long as the telematic application that verifies compliance with the requirements to be a beneficiary of the subsidised rate is not adapted to automatically check the beneficiaries of the minimum living income:
|
Social Security Lanbide (Basque Country) Government of Navarre Generalitat de Catalunya |
A cohabitation unit is considered to be that made up of all persons residing in the same home and who are united by marriage or as a domestic partnership under the terms of article 221.2 of the revised text of the General Social Security Act, or who are related to the second degree of relationship, affinity, adoption, and other persons with whom they live by virtue of guardianship for the purpose of adoption or permanent family foster care. Under no circumstances may the same person form part of two or more cohabitation units.
Remember that relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity are:
-First degree: children, spouse, parents, in-laws, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law.
-Second degree: grandparents, siblings, grandchildren and brothers-in-law
How do I apply for the Social Bonus?
- Fill in the Social Bonus application form at this link
- Return the signed form with the necessary documentation at this link.
If you prefer, you can also return the signed form and documentation by these methods:- Customer Service Points
- Postal Address:
CURENERGÍA Comercializador de Último Recurso, S.A.U.
Apartado de Correos 61.017
28080 Madrid
(*): El formulario se puede solicitar en los Puntos de Atención o llamando al teléfono de atención al cliente (800 760 719)
With the entry into force of Royal Decree-law 15/2018 [PDF], of 5 October, a programme for direct payments designed to alleviate energy poverty among vulnerable consumers with regard to heating and hot water was created, called the Bono Social Térmico [Heating Rates Subsidy].
This payment is compatible with other grants, allowances, income or resources for the same purpose from other institutions. It will also be compatible with the Bono Social de Electricidad [Electricity Rates Subsidy].
The Bono Social Térmico will be funded from the General State Budget and will be dependent on the existence of annual budget availability.
Each year, any consumers receiving the bono social de electricidad at 31 December of the previous year will receive the Bono Social Térmico.
In 2019, these consumers will be informed by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition of their status as potential beneficiaries of the Bono Social Térmico.
The first payments will be made directly by the Ministry in the first half of 2019. The amount received by each beneficiary will depend on the climate zone they live in and their degree of vulnerability.
The management and payment of grants from 2020 onwards is the responsibility of the Autonomous Communities and Cities with Statute of Autonomy.
Further information is available in your Autonomous Community or on the Ministry's Information website concerning the Thermal Voucher
