Who counts as energy poor in Cyprus? New criteria proposed

Economy cost-of-living crisisenergysocial welfareTop News Who counts as energy poor in Cyprus? New criteria proposed Eac Energy Electricity Relevant News Woman, 19, arrested after allegedly assaulting police officer in Ayia Napa 17 August 2026 Who counts as energy poor in Cyprus? New criteria proposed 17 August 2026 Can a 17-year-old ride a jet ski in Cyprus? What the law says after Protaras crash 17 August 2026 newsroom 17 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus is proposing a new system for identifying energy-poor households based on their income, energy costs and the energy efficiency of their homes. The Energy Service has opened a public consultation on a draft decree that would establish clearer criteria for determining which households experience energy poverty and qualify for support. Under the proposal, a composite index would assess three main factors: household disposable income; spending required to meet energy needs; and the energy efficiency of the home. The index was developed following a specialised study commissioned by the Energy Ministry to measure energy poverty at national level. It is intended to help authorities identify affected households more objectively and target financial and energy assistance accordingly. How energy poverty is defined Energy poverty is defined as a household’s inability to secure the essential energy services required for a decent standard of living and health. These include adequate heating, hot water, cooling, lighting and electricity for household appliances. The condition may result from a combination of financial hardship, low disposable income, high energy costs and poor household energy efficiency. The proposed decree forms part of Cyprus’s implementation of EU Directive 2023/1791 on energy efficiency. The directive was incorporated into national legislation through the Energy Efficiency Law of 2026, which introduced a legal definition of energy poverty in Cyprus for the first time. Who currently qualifies? Under the existing framework, two groups are classified as energy-poor households: recipients of public assistance from the Social Welfare Services; and recipients of the Guaranteed Minimum Income administered by the Welfare Benefits Administration Service. Separate rules apply to vulnerable electricity customers, a broader category covering 20 groups eligible for various forms of protection and assistance. These include families with at least three dependent children receiving child benefit, low-income pensioners, single-parent families and households with dependent children whose gross annual income does not exceed €19,500. The category also covers recipients of allowances for severe mobility disabilities, paraplegia, quadriplegia and blindness, as well as haemodialysis patients receiving a mobility allowance. Other eligible groups include people undergoing peritoneal dialysis, those with multiple sclerosis, heart transplant recipients and people with specified medical conditions. These include active acromegaly, Cushing’s disease, phaeochromocytoma, diabetic autonomic neuropathy, permanent tracheostomy, central nervous system tumours and Raynaud’s syndrome. Eligible recipients of a special monthly pension from the Relief Fund for Victims are also included. The rules defining vulnerable customers were updated in December 2024, replacing the previous framework introduced in 2023. What support is available? Measures for energy-poor households and vulnerable consumers include: access to a special electricity tariff; increased grants for home energy upgrades or individual energy-saving measures; increased financial assistance for residential solar panels under the net-metering scheme; and protection against disconnection, or reconnection during critical periods, for people who require an uninterrupted electricity supply for health reasons. Health-related protection is subject to approval by the relevant medical board. Read more: Opposition demands action as energy poverty-linked deaths rise to eight this year Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Woman, 19, arrested after allegedly assaulting police officer in Ayia Napa Can a 17-year-old ride a jet ski in Cyprus? What the law says after Protaras crash Marina Hadjicosta: “Not Cypriot enough,” they said. She proved them wrong. Kushner to hold talks with Netanyahu after rare meeting with Hamas Trump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea Search for Indonesia earthquake victims underway on Independence Day Girl still intubated, sister out of danger after mother drowns at Larnaca beach Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.