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Voltura or Subentro: the difference
Power and gas

What is the difference between a voltura and a subentro?

Definition and differences in Power and Gas supply contracts.

When you move to a new house or inherit a property, it is normal to wonder whether you need a voltura [change of billpayer name] or a subentro [reactivation] Although the two are often confused, they are different operations: one (voltura) concerns a change of billpayer, the other (subentro) the reactivation of a deactivated supply. Let's see how they work.

Before we begin

To carry out a change of billpayer or a reactivation, you must submit a request to the supplier who is already providing the Power and/or Gas. Remember to keep the certification of ownership and regular possession of the property at hand, otherwise the supplier may refuse to carry out the transaction.

Voltura: change of billpayer with active meter

A voltura (change of billpayer) allows you to change the holder of an existing supply contract (Power and/or Gas), with an associated active meter, without interrupting the supply of energy and/or gas.

When to make the changeover
What you need to know
 

  • Moving to a new house where the meters are still active.  

  • An inherited property where you continue to receive bills in the name of the previous owner.

  • Separation and/or divorce in case you are the spouse to whom the house has been assigned. 

  • Change of billpayer within the same household: if you just want to transfer ownership of the existing contract, e.g. between husband and wife, parents and children or housemates.

  • You can keep or change your existing supply: if you keep your existing Power and/or Gas contract, you will only pay what you consume from the time of the changeover onwards, but in the case of a voltura with take-over, e.g. for an inheritance, you will also take over any outstanding bills of the previous billpayer. If instead you want to change your contract with Enel, visit the Power and Gas offers section to choose the one best suited to you. 

  • You can change the power of the meter, but only after changing the billpayer. 

  • It takes about 4-5 days for the change of billpayer: usually 4 working days for gas and 5 working days for power. 

  • A voltura is free of charge if you switch to Enel: if your meter is active with another supplier, but you choose to switch to Enel for a voltura with change of supplier.


To download the contract kit and find all the useful information, visit the page dedicated to how to make a change of billpayer with Enel.

Subentro: reactivation of deactivated meter

Reactivation, on the other hand, provides for the activation of a new supply (Power and/or Gas) in the event that the previous supply has been deactivated by the previous billpayer with the related closure of the meter. Remember, however, that if the old meter has been removed, and not just deactivated, you will have to connect a new system.

When to reactivate
What you need to know
 

  • Moving to a new house where the previous owner has closed the meters, so there is no gas or electricity. 

  • Automatic meter deactivation: a long time has passed since the property was used and the meter has been deactivated by the supplier. 

  • Opening a new business in a space previously occupied by another business where supplies have been switched off.

  • You can request an independent reactivation: choose the best offer for you from the available Power and Gas offers and complete the supply reactivation directly online, both for your home and your business. 

  • Your new supply will be activated in 5-10 days: according to the provisions of ARERA (Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and Environment) the supplier must activate a new supply within 5 working days for Power and within 10 working days for Gas.

  • Consider the activation costs, which will depend on your contract. For gas, remember that the distributor will charge the supplier a fee for the transaction costs. See the official ARERA page for more information.


You will receive the documents to be completed by email or post (depending on the method chosen). For more information, visit the page dedicated to how to reactivate a supply with Enel.