On 10 March 2026, the European Commission adopted the Citizens’ Energy Package (COM/2026/115), setting out a new set of measures to make energy more affordable, secure and accessible for people across the European Union. The package aims to reduce energy bills, protect and empower citizens to participate actively in the clean energy transition, tackle energy poverty, and help EU countries implement existing legislation more effectively so that citizens can benefit fully from the transition. The Commission also presents the package as a key deliverable of its Affordable Energy Action Plan.
According to the Commission, the package comes at a crucial moment. Retail electricity prices across the EU remain above pre-crisis levels, while nearly one in ten citizens cannot afford to heat their homes adequately. The Commission also highlights that a growing number of people struggle to keep their homes cool during the summer, and that more than 30 million Europeans report difficulties paying their utility bills on time.
A central objective of the package is to make energy markets easier for consumers to understand and navigate. The Commission says the new measures are intended to improve access to transparent information, help people switch to more affordable and sustainable energy offers, and support the uptake of flexible retail electricity contracts. It also promotes the development of energy communities, which can help households reduce their energy costs and lower their exposure to the volatility of fossil-fuel-based wholesale energy markets. The Commission adds that, combined with greater energy efficiency, the potential savings for citizens can be significant.
The package places particular emphasis on protecting vulnerable consumers and households affected by energy poverty. The Commission notes that electricity taxes and levies account for around 25% of household electricity prices on average, and it supports Member States in reducing these costs for households. The package also introduces stronger safeguards against disconnections and is to be complemented by further guidance on consumer rights, energy communities, retail contract flexibility, supplier risk management, and protections for vulnerable consumers. In addition, new calls under the LIFE programme are planned to help tackle energy poverty.
For the wider renovation and energy efficiency agenda, the package sends a clear signal that affordable, citizen-centred energy policy is becoming an increasingly important part of the EU transition. The Commission’s focus on consumer protection, energy savings, local action and practical support can also reinforce efforts to help households reduce energy consumption and costs in the longer term.
Source: European Commission, Citizens’ Energy Package (COM/2026/115), adopted on 10 March 2026.
