Citizens Energy Package: helping households in the energy transition

A package of recommendations aimed at protecting and supporting citizens in engaging in the clean energy transition has been presented by the Commission today. Building on the Citizens Energy Package communication and the AccelerateEU communication, it provides detailed and practical guidance for citizens and households to further support a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable energy system. It also addresses EU countries with indications of how to protect vulnerable groups from high energy prices. The 4 recommendations and accompanying documents aim to protect vulnerable customers and those in energy poverty, ensure competitive retail markets, empower consumers to make informed choices, and support the development of energy communities and self-consumption. 

Commissioner for Energy & Housing, Dan Jørgensen said: 

'The conflict in the Middle East—and its impact on energy prices—underscore just how volatile global energy markets remain, and how urgently Europe must strengthen its energy resilience. This must be the moment when we accelerate the transition to a more sustainable, secure, and consumer-focused energy system. At a time when rising energy costs are a real concern for EU citizens, this package turns policy ambition into concrete benefits for households, communities, and small businesses across Europe. We must protect vulnerable households from energy disconnections and support all consumers to better manage their energy supply contracts as well as play an active part in the transition.'

The Commission will work closely with EU countries, regulators, industry stakeholders and civil society to ensure the effective implementation of the package, providing technical assistance and guidance, and monitoring progress.

Today’s package includes the following elements: 

Recommendation on protecting vulnerable customers against disconnections and during natural gas phase-out: This initiative calls for early identification of at-risk households for timely support, including through tailored payment plans, debt advice and energy vouchers, alongside structural solutions such as energy efficiency and access to renewables. As the EU transitions away from natural gas, the Commission calls for coordinated planning across sectors with transparent communication and clear timelines. It emphasises the central role of one-stop shops in helping households adopt cleaner alternatives, while urging EU countries to fully utilise EU and national funding.

Recommendation on helping consumers to find the best deal: This new guide aims at standardising key terms and conditions in energy contracts to ensure that consumers receive clear information. This will help compare deals more easily, switch suppliers more swiftly, and cut costs, while making the market more competitive and transparent.

Recommendation on protecting consumers from the risk of supplier bankruptcies: This initiative provides guidance to national authorities, including regulators, on how to enforce supplier risk management rules. The aim is to minimise the risk of supplier bankruptcies and its negative effects that can affect consumers’ energy bills and service. 

Recommendation on empowering energy communities and self-consumption: In order to accelerate and facilitate the take up of energy communities and maximise the potential of self-consumption, this guidance is aimed at making it easier for energy communities to operate in different energy markets and sectors and provide benefits to citizens – and also for individuals, small businesses and local authorities to produce and share their own renewables for self-consumption. It is accompanied by an energy communities action plan, which outlines a set of measures the Commission will undertake to support the development of energy communities. 

These recommendations are accompanied by a Staff Working Document providing support to EU countries and stakeholders with background, analysis and evidence for the implementation of the recommendations, and spelling out a number of good practices relevant to the follow-up of the AccelerateEU communication.  

The Commission also published today a Report on market-based electricity supply prices and promoting remuneration of flexibility in retail contracts. Mandated under the Clean Industrial Deal and the Affordable Energy Action Plan, the report will guide and help EU countries to ensure that consumers who adjust usage to off-peak or renewable-heavy times are rewarded and protected. It also recalls the need for competitive retail markets, which are a prerequisite for long-term market resilience, improved consumer choice and for enabling demand flexibility. By ensuring that individual consumers benefit from lower bills, this approach will encourage more households to respond to price signals, - thereby fostering a more efficient and resilient electricity system.

Related links

• Recommendation on protecting vulnerable customers against disconnections and during natural gas phase-out
• Recommendation on helping consumers to find the best deal
• Recommendation on protecting consumers from the risk of supplier bankruptcies
• Recommendation on empowering energy communities and self-consumption
• Energy communities action plan
• Staff Working Document
• Report on market-based retail prices and promoting the remuneration of flexibility in electricity contracts
• Statement by the President on the impact of the situation in the Middle East on the Europe Union
• News item: Commission to boost access to affordable and clean energy for all Europeans
• Protecting and empowering energy consumers
• Communication: Citizens Energy Package
• Web page: Citizens Energy Package
• Action Plan for Affordable Energy
• One-stop shops - renovation and energy efficiency