Everything you need to know about the free power and gas market

What is the free market

The free market allows consumers to freely choose their power and natural gas vendor, rather than being tied to the default public service provider, known as the "protected market", which operates in the market in which the contractual and economic conditions are established by the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment.

It is important to note that the transition to the free market is a voluntary option and consumers who prefer to remain on the "protected market" can do so without any obligation to change supplier, until the protections of price as regulated by current legislation. However, for those who wish to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the free market, it is possible to make the transition in a simple and transparent way, maintaining continuity of service without interruptions.

Learn more about the convenience of the free energy market.

Who can switch to the free market and how

All customers are free to choose the offers for the supply of power or gas proposed by the sales companies that operate on the free market in competition with each other. By choosing one of these offers, you automatically switch to the free market. 

What is the protection and enhanced protection service

It is the gas and power supply service reserved for customers who have chosen not to enter the free market; the contractual and economic conditions are established by the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment and are updated quarterly in the electricity enhanced protection service and monthly in the gas protection service. Customers who want to switch to the free market can withdraw from their contract with the enhanced electricity protection service and with the gas protection service at any time by subscribing to a free market offer.

For more information read our article on electricity and gas protection.

Am I forced to change supplier by going from the standard offer/protection to the free market?

No, the choice to switch to the free market  is totally free.
Customers who do not subscribe to free market offers maintain a "default or protected" supplier who offers the protection service at the economic conditions established by the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment.

What is the difference between the free market and the enhanced protection/protection service

The difference lies in the choice of power and gas seller by consumers. 

• Free market: consumers freely choose their electricity and gas seller and the offer closest to their needs.
• Enhanced protection/protection service: consumers use the basic service guaranteed by the default supplier without choosing anything.

Learn more in our article on the differences between the free and protected market.

The transition to the free market and the system of protections

In Italy:

• the enhanced protection service in the electricity sector is reserved for domestic customers;
• the gas protection service is currently available for domestic customers and condominiums with domestic use with annual consumption of up to 200,000 cubic metres.

How much does it cost to switch to the free market

The change of vendor does not involve any cost, with the exception of any costs connected with signing the contract, such as stamp duty and security deposit (which is charged only if the payment of the bills is not is domiciled on a payment card, bank account, post office or Paypal).