Government Increases Energy Compensations to Offset Rising Gas Tariffs in December

Citizens will receive higher energy compensations in December as gas tariffs rise, ensuring that energy costs remain comparable to last year. The minimum compensation threshold will increase from 300 lei in November to 500 lei in December, while the maximum threshold will rise from 800 lei to 1,000 lei, according to Labor and Social Protection Minister Alexei Buzu, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES

The minister assured that the government remains committed to shielding citizens from higher energy costs. “After compensation, citizens will not pay a higher tariff than last year. This was true in November, and it will continue in December,” said Buzu.

In November, average compensation was 524 lei, increasing to 715 lei in December. The government will cover up to 150 cubic meters of gas consumption per household per month, with compensation amounts adjusting to reflect tariff changes.

Nearly 700,000 households have applied for the compensation program, with 243,347 gas-heated homes receiving between 500 and 600 lei, and 93,519 families receiving the maximum 1,000 lei.

Compensations will be available starting January 10, either via post offices or personal bank cards, depending on beneficiaries' preferences. The government has allocated a budget of 480–500 million lei for December, compared to 334 million lei in November.

This initiative, now in its third year, supports vulnerable households during the cold season, covering heating costs for natural gas, electricity, solid fuel, and heat.