Only Three In-Person Offices Remain

Endesa has closed 60 of its 63 in-person service points in Catalonia for processing the social electricity tariff, leaving only offices in Barcelona, Sabadell, and Tarragona available for vulnerable households. The move, confirmed by the company’s official information and reported by LHDigital, has been denounced by the Alliance against Energy Poverty as a serious barrier for families at risk of disconnection.

The social tariff, officially known as the Social Bonus, offers a significant discount on electricity bills for households classified as vulnerable or severely vulnerable under Spanish government criteria. To qualify, applicants must be on the regulated PVPC tariff, have a contracted power of 10kW or less at their primary residence, and meet income thresholds based on the IPREM indicator, €8,400 for 14 payments in 2026.

"Race Against Obstacles" for Vulnerable Households

Irene González, spokesperson for the Alliance against Energy Poverty, warned that the closure of local access points compounds an already complex application process. "Right now, the social tariff is the only aid that vulnerable families have, and if, on top of that, obtaining it is a race against obstacles, we are making it very difficult for them," she said.

"We must remember that energy is a right that these people should have to live a dignified life in their homes.", Irene González, Alliance against Energy Poverty

The reduction in service points particularly affects residents in municipalities like L'Hospitalet, where local processing is no longer possible. The Alliance stresses that in-person support is essential, especially for those with limited digital access or literacy.

Ysabel's Year-Long Struggle

Ysabel, a resident attempting to access the aid for over a year, exemplifies the systemic difficulties. Despite meeting eligibility criteria, she has repeatedly been told documents are missing, without being informed which ones. "They always tell me that papers are missing, but they don't tell me which one is missing," she said.

González added: "She has been dealing with this for a year, and it's a year that she has been paying more for electricity than she should because she is entitled to this aid."

Low Uptake Despite High Need

A 2024 report by ESADE and Oxfam Intermón, using 2022 data, found that only two in ten eligible households in Catalonia received the social tariff. The region ranked among the lowest in Spain for coverage. Barriers include lack of awareness and administrative complexity, both of which are now exacerbated by the loss of local service points.

Residents seeking the Social Bonus can apply via Endesa’s dedicated portal: What is the Social Bonus and how to apply.

Sources: LHDigital (L'Hospitalet), endesa.com.