What is the price of energy?

Electricity prices on the free market are negotiated between suppliers and their customers.

Consumers who do not have a supplier in the market continue to be supplied by the supplier of last resort (SoLR), with a transitional tariff set by ERSE.

At present, consumers are able to subscribe to a scheme that is equivalent to the regulated (transitional) tariff. Free market suppliers should publicise whether or not they offer this equivalent scheme. Consumers who want the equivalent tariff should ask their supplier whether they have this option. The answer must be given within ten working days and, if it is negative, it must be given in writing so that the customer, if he so wishes, can sign a contract with the supplier of last resort. In situations where the supply contract ends due to the conclusion of a new contract with the supplier of last resort, and only in these cases (non-availability of regulated price conditions/equivalent tariff), the customer does not bear any costs or possible penalties for non-compliance with loyalty periods.

Watch the video on how electricity prices are calculated.

What is the difference between regulated tariffs and regulated prices?

Regulated tariffs include: tariffs for access to grids (charges for the use of the energy transmission and distribution grids, as well as for the overall use of the electricity system, paid by all suppliers) and retail tariffs (applied only by suppliers of last resort).

Regulated prices are those charged for services provided directly by the distribution system operators, such as: connection to the grids, supply cut-of (interruption), resuming supply (restoration) and exceptional readings.

Do I have to pay the Grid Access Tariff?

Yes. The grid access tariff corresponds to an amount set by ERSE, which includes the cost of the use of the transmission grid, the use of the distribution grids and the overall use of the electricity system.

How much is the social tariff?

Customers eligible for the social tariff receive a discount on their invoice. You can check the social tariff discount using the social tariff discount calculator; in 2024, it corresponds to a discount of 33.8% compared to the tariff for the sale of electricity to end consumers (applied by suppliers of last resort). The social tariff consumer is exempt from paying the special consumption tax (IEC) and has a partial exemption of EUR 1.85 in the audiovisual contribution (CAV).

The social tariff is allocated automatically. If you have any questions about the allocation, please contact the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG).

For consumers who are still on the regulated market (supplier of last resort), the social tariff is fully set by ERSE.

You can find out more about the social tariff for electricity in the information leaflet.