From July 2026 there will be a new increase in electricity bills for millions of Italian families. With the quarterly update of the tariffs decided by Arera – the Regulatory Authority for energy, networks and the environment – for vulnerable customers who are in the “greater protection” service, the price of energy increases compared to the previous quarter.
How much electricity bills have increased since July
The reference price of electricity for vulnerable domestic customers rose to 31.63 euro cents per kWh including taxes from 1 July 2026 (up from 30.24 cents in the previous quarter). From the calculations of the National Consumers Union, it is equivalent to approximately 27.80 euros more per year for the typical customer. If the tariff conditions remained unchanged for the next twelve months, a vulnerable family would incur costs of around 633 euros between July 2026 and June 2027.
The 4.6% increase represents the second consecutive increase after that recorded in April and, in fact, reflects fluctuations in international energy prices. That is, it is a consequence of the energy crisis following the war in the Middle East.
Who pays more
The increase affects approximately 3 million vulnerable users, namely:
- those over 75;
- beneficiaries of the social bonus for economic hardship;
- people with disabilities recognized pursuant to article 3 of Law 104/1992;
- those who use electrically powered life-saving electro-medical equipment;
- residents of smaller non-interconnected islands;
- some users located in emergency homes or in particular difficult conditions.
This is the segment of consumers that the legislator considers most deserving of protection and who continues to have access to the economic conditions established periodically by ARERA.
Comparison with the free market
This situation is pushing many vulnerable consumers to evaluate whether the free market can offer more advantageous conditions during the summer months.
Based on the findings of the ARERA Offer Portal, several companies offer rates blocked for 12 or 24 months. However, the average of the most competitive fixed offers on the market stands at around 34.50 euro cents per kWh, a value still higher than the 31.63 cents of the greater protection.
Then there are the variable price offers. These rates follow the trend of the wholesale market with the addition of a spread established by the supplier. In the months of June and July, due to the strong demand linked to the use of air conditioners, the PUN often undergoes upward fluctuations. Assoutenti’s estimates indicate that the average final cost for indexed offers is around 32.10 euro cents per kWh, once again positioning itself slightly above the protection service.
Finally, there is the fixed quota independent of consumption, called PCV (sales marketing price) to consider. According to data from the Observatory of Segugio.it – relating to June 2026 – the average cost of this component in the free market stands at 144 euros per year per user, with peaks that in some cases can reach 180 euros per year. In enhanced protection, however, this value remains regulated and significantly lower, representing a structural advantage especially for those with medium-low consumption.
Despite the 4.6% increase, tariffs for vulnerable people continue to maintain a high competitiveness compared to the free market average, especially for the population groups that benefit from reduced fixed quotas and tariffs regulated by the Authority.
