The increase, as announced by the government on 14 October, covers all fuels included in the allowance and also applies to the advance payment, expected by 23 December. Based on last year's data, about 750,000 households that heat with heating oil are estimated to qualify.
The criteria stay the same. The income limit is €16,000 for a single person and €24,000 for a married couple without children. The single-person limit was €30,000 in the winter of 2013–14 and fell to €12,000 from 2015–16 to 2020–21. The amounts are nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
The allowance is no longer just for heating oil. Since 2020–21 it also covers natural gas, LPG, wood and pellets, since 2021–22 district heating and since 2024–25 electricity.
For comparison, in the winter of 2022–23, at the peak of the energy crisis, €278.9 million was paid out (up to June 2023).
Sources: Ministry of National Economy and Finance (announcements of 14/10/2026 and 9/6/2023, joint ministerial decisions of earlier years).
