Are you eligible for the social energy discount (bono social)

Terms used

• Bono social — The bono social is a state discount on the regulated electricity price for vulnerable households.
• IPREM — The IPREM is an official yearly income benchmark Spain uses to set limits for benefits and subsidies.
• PVPC — The PVPC is the regulated electricity tariff, whose price follows the wholesale market, offered by reference suppliers.
• Comercializadora de referencia — A comercializadora de referencia is an electricity supplier authorised to offer the regulated PVPC tariff.
• Vivienda habitual — Your vivienda habitual is the home where you normally live, not a second home.
• Familia numerosa — A familia numerosa is an officially recognised large family, usually with three or more children.
• IMV — The IMV (ingreso mínimo vital) is Spain's minimum vital income, a state benefit for low-income households.

Key rules

• Power limit: Your contracted power must not exceed 10 kW.
• Tariff: You must be on the regulated PVPC tariff; free-market customers must switch first.
• One home: Only one supply point per holder can get the bono social.
• Individuals only: The contract must be in your name as an individual, not a company's.

The short answer

You can get the bono social if the contract is yours as an individual, it covers your habitual home, and your household either falls under an income limit or fits a protected category. The discount is taken off the regulated energy price, up to a yearly cap.

Conditions on the supply

All of these must be true, whatever your income:

• The contract is in your name as an individual, not a company.
• The supply is for your habitual home (vivienda habitual), not a second home.
• Your contracted power is not above 10 kW.
• You are on the regulated PVPC tariff with a reference supplier (comercializadora de referencia). If you are on the free market, you must switch to a reference supplier first.
• You have no other supply point already receiving the bono social. Each holder can have only one.

Income limits

Limits are set as multiples of the IPREM, an official yearly income benchmark. The IPREM was 600 euros a month in 2024 and 2025, which is 8,400 euros a year over 14 payments. Check whether a new value was set for 2026. The multiples below use the 14-payment figure and apply to your household's total yearly income.

Each extra adult or minor raises the multiple in steps of 0.5.

Categories with higher limits or direct access

• Large family (familia numerosa): the limit is 2 times the IPREM for the general category and 3 for the special category. For severe status it is 2.5 and 3.
• Disability of 33% or more, or dependency: the vulnerable limit rises to around 3 times the IPREM.
• Minimum vital income (IMV): you qualify if you or a household member receives it. For severe status this applies in some cases.
• Minimum pension: pensioners on the minimum retirement or permanent disability pension, with no other income above the IPREM threshold, qualify.
• Victims of gender violence or terrorism: you get higher limits or access.

The decision block below helps you pick the route that fits you.

How much you save

In 2025 the discount on the PVPC energy price was 35% for vulnerable consumers and 50% for severely vulnerable ones. A gradual reduction was planned from 2026, so ask your reference supplier for the rate that applies now.

The discount covers only a yearly amount of energy. For a vulnerable household it is about 1,680 kWh with no minors and 2,520 kWh with one minor, and more with further minors. Severely vulnerable households get much higher caps, up to around 4,000 kWh. Above the cap you pay normal PVPC prices.

Before you apply

Work through the checklist below. If you are on the free market, plan the switch to a reference supplier before you apply.

Choosing between options

Which route do you qualify through for the bono social?

• By household income: You have no other qualifying status. The limit is 1.5 times the yearly IPREM (8,400 euros) with no minors, 2 times with one minor and 2.5 times with two minors. For severe vulnerability the limits are 1, 1.5 and 2 times.

• As a large family: You hold a large family (familia numerosa) title.

• By disability or dependency: You or a household member has a disability of 33% or more, or is dependent.

• Through a benefit or pension: You or a household member receives the minimum vital income (IMV), or you receive the minimum pension, with no other income above the IPREM threshold.

Pick the route with the highest limit that fits your household. Each extra adult or minor raises the multiple in steps of 0.5. If you fit several routes, use the one that gives the most favourable result.

Checklist

• Check that the electricity contract is in your own name as an individual, not a company.

• Confirm the supply is for your habitual home (vivienda habitual).

• Check that your contract is on the regulated PVPC tariff with a reference supplier, and plan to switch if you are on the free market.

• Check that you have no other supply point already getting the bono social.

• Add up your household's yearly income and compare it with the limit for your adults and minors, based on an IPREM of 8,400 euros a year with 14 payments.

• Find out whether you fit a category that qualifies without the income test: minimum vital income (IMV), minimum pension, large family or single-parent family.

• Check whether a disability of 33% or more, dependency, gender violence or terrorism victim status gives you a higher limit.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the bono social discount?

The discount was 35% on the energy price for vulnerable consumers and 50% for severely vulnerable ones in 2025. A reduction was planned from 2026 in stages. It only applies up to a yearly energy cap, and above it you pay normal regulated prices.

Is there a yearly limit on the energy that gets the discount?

Yes, the discount only covers energy up to a yearly cap that depends on your household. For a vulnerable consumer the cap is about 1,680 kWh a year with no minors and 2,520 kWh with one minor.

Can I get the bono social if I am on the free market?

Not while you stay there, because the discount only works on the regulated PVPC tariff with a reference supplier (comercializadora de referencia). You would need to switch to a reference supplier first. Only one supply point per holder can have the discount.

Does a larger family or a disability raise the income limit?

Yes, a large family has a higher limit, 2 times the IPREM for the general category and 3 times for the special one. A disability of 33% or more, or dependency, raises the limit to around 3 times the IPREM for vulnerable status.