Energy discounts and aid (bono social)

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. After reading, you will know whether you may qualify for the bono social or other energy aid, and how to apply.

Start with "Are you eligible for the social energy discount (bono social)". It lets you check the income, household and status criteria first. If you are a foreign resident or have just arrived, read "Social energy discount (bono social) for foreign residents and recent arrivals" next, as your residence status and documents affect your case. Then use the application guide, the heating and regional aid page, and the page on help with bills you can't pay.

Choosing a tariff and the rules on cut-off notices are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Power limit: Your contracted power must not exceed 10 kW.
• Validity: The bono social is valid for two years, and the supplier must warn you before it ends.
• Processing time: The supplier has 15 days to answer a complete application, and if documents are missing you get 10 days to supply them.
• Tariff: You must be on the regulated PVPC tariff; free-market customers must switch first.
• Nationality: Nationality alone does not decide eligibility; legal residence does.
• Contract holder: The electricity contract must be in your own name.

Energy discounts and aid (bono social): the whole process, step by step

• Check whether your household and supply qualify (Are you eligible for the social energy discount (bono social)): before you start; your contracted power must not exceed 10 kW

• If you are a foreign resident, confirm your residence authorisation or EU registration and padrón registration (Social energy discount (bono social) for foreign residents and recent arrivals): before you apply

• Send a complete application to your reference supplier (Applying for and renewing the social energy discount (bono social)): once you have your documents; the supplier has 15 days to answer a complete application

• Send any missing documents the supplier asks for: you get 10 days to supply them; supply cannot be cut for non-payment while the application is pending

• Expect the discount from the first bill after the supplier received your application: after approval, applied back to the date the supplier received your application

• Look into heating, gas and regional or municipal aid (Help with heating and gas bills (bono social térmico) and regional aid): alongside or after your application

• If you cannot pay a bill, contact your supplier to ask for a payment plan, and ask municipal social services about emergency aid (Help when you can't pay your energy and water bills): before any cut-off; supply can only be cut after formal notice by registered mail and a minimum period of around 4 months after the first unpaid invoice

• Renew the bono social (Applying for and renewing the social energy discount (bono social)): before the two years end; the supplier must warn you, and renewal is often automatic but may need new documents

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Padrón certificate — Social energy discount (bono social) for foreign residents and recent arrivals, Help when you can't pay your energy and water bills
• Your ID or NIE — Help when you can't pay your energy and water bills

Income and work

• Proof of your income — Help when you can't pay your energy and water bills
• Income route — Applying for and renewing the social energy discount (bono social)

The home and the lease

• Your rental or mortgage contract — Help when you can't pay your energy and water bills

Other documents

• Official application form — Applying for and renewing the social energy discount (bono social), Social energy discount (bono social) for foreign residents and recent arrivals
• Proof of who lives in your household — Help when you can't pay your energy and water bills
• Your unpaid bills or the cut-off notice from the supplier — Help when you can't pay your energy and water bills
• Ingreso Mínimo Vital — Applying for and renewing the social energy discount (bono social)

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Energy discounts and aid (bono social): questions that cross several articles

Do I need to be on a regulated tariff to get the bono social?

Yes, the bono social only applies if your contract is on the regulated PVPC tariff with a reference supplier, in your own name for your habitual home. If you are on the free market, you must switch to a reference supplier first. Read Are you eligible for the social energy discount (bono social) and Applying for and renewing the social energy discount (bono social).

How much is the bono social discount, and is there a limit?

In 2025 the discount was 35% for vulnerable consumers and 50% for severely vulnerable ones, and it only applies up to an annual kWh cap that depends on your household. Above the cap you pay normal PVPC prices. Rates were due to be reduced from 2026, so see Are you eligible for the social energy discount (bono social) and Applying for and renewing the social energy discount (bono social).

What is the difference between vulnerable and severely vulnerable status?

Severely vulnerable status has lower income limits, or applies if you get the minimum pension and similar benefits, and it brings the higher discount. See Help when you can't pay your energy and water bills.

Do income limits depend on who lives in my household?

Yes, the income limit is a multiple of the IPREM, a public reference income, and it rises with the number of adults and minors in your home. In 2025 the IPREM was 8,400 euros a year with 14 payments, and the multiple for vulnerable status starts at 1.5 with no minors. Large families and people with a disability of 33% or more get higher limits, so read Are you eligible for the social energy discount (bono social).

Can I get help with bills if I am not eligible for the bono social?

Yes, you may still get municipal emergency aid or regional help, usually requested at the social services centre of your town, and paid straight to the supplier. Foreign residents are generally treated like Spaniards but usually need to be registered on the padrón. Read Help when you can't pay your energy and water bills and Help with heating and gas bills (bono social térmico) and regional aid.