SaS: New Energy Aid Rules Could Create Chaos and Inequality

Bratislava, 3 December (TASR) – The regulation of energy assistance is set to take effect as of 8 December 2025, just 16 days before Christmas, leaving energy suppliers and apartment building managers little time to prepare, opposition MPs Karol Galek and Marian Viskupic (both SaS) warned at a press briefing on Wednesday. The MPs were responding in this way to the energy aid package presented by Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD). The lawmakers noted that 90 percent of households are expected to receive assistance, but they expressed concern that the measure will be more blanket than targeted. Over the past two years, blanket energy aid has already cost the state budget €2 billion, with around €400 million planned for next year. "Energy assistance in the case of electricity should really be provided to all who need it because as the only form of energy aid it does not burden the state budget in any way," said Galek. He argued that the new regulation creates confusion, as payouts are tied to permanent residence. According to him, many people will re-register their permanent address, and aid will also go to those who own multiple flats, provided that they have permanent residence in one of them and that their household income does not exceed €1,930. "There are various unresolved issues that create huge chaos and unfairness, and I'm afraid that this will lead to many disputes and questions directed at customer centres or at the hotline set up by the Economy Ministry for €2.2 million, again with our taxes. And this hotline is supposed to deal with precisely such inconsistencies arising from the poorly thought-out approved proposal for energy assistance," said Galek. Viskupic added that although the aid will be provided from the state budget, Slovaks will effectively pay for it twice: first through taxes and then again via their bills. "Permanent residence shouldn't be something that is traded. Here it becomes a true parameter for granting or denying energy aid," said Viskupic. mf/df