The social discount is a subsidy applied to the electricity bill and is administered by the Spanish government. Individuals and families in a situation of economic vulnerability who have contracted with one of the companies belonging to the regulated market are eligible. This point is important, as being on the regulated market is one of the conditions of eligibility. If you do not have a contract on the regulated market, you should change it.
Other requirements are to have a DNI or NIE, to be the owner of the supply and to be registered in the dwelling.
For large families and families with members receiving the minimum subsistence income, the minimum pension or a disability pension, the income criterion is not taken into account, but the relevant reduction is applied directly, without checking the income of the cohabiting unit.
Other special cases that may qualify for bono social are:
- Victims of gender violence.
- Victims of terrorism.
- People with a disability of 33% or more.
- People in a situation of dependency level II or III.
- Families with minors and only one registered parent.
There is a subsidised energy limit. In other words, the social bonus subsidises the performance and the energy term, but the latter only up to a certain limit. The subsidised energy limit depends on the number of people in the household and the number of children in the household. If this limit is exceeded, the excess energy is charged at the fixed price of the Voluntary Price for the Small Consumers (PVPC) tariff.
How long is the social discount valid?
It is valid for two years, but is automatically renewed as long as the conditions of the cohabitation unit are maintained. An exception is made for large families, who can benefit from the bono social until the expiry date of the large family card.
Guaranteed supply
The social voucher also guarantees the supply of electricity to all people and households that are protected and in which there is at least one person with one of the following characteristics
- A person under the age of 16.
- A person with a disability of 33% or more.
- Someone with a level II or III dependency.
To find out the full requirements, how to apply and what documents you need to provide, visit the following website or contact your local Energy Advice Point.
Currently, families who qualify for the bono social save between €180 and €300 per year, in addition to the thermal discount, an additional annual subsidy for air conditioning costs.
The thermal discount
The social discount also includes an annual financial support for thermal energy, i.e. support for the payment of heating costs, regardless of the energy source. This aid depends on the climatic zone and the degree of vulnerability of the person or household.