Getting Services Connected: Electricity, Gas & Water in Italy

Before applying for any utility, whether in a rented or owned property, a foreigner in Italy will need a valid tax number, (Codice Fiscale) obtained from the provincial tax office (Ufficio delle Entrate).

When moving into newly built accommodation it will be necessary to set up connections to all utilities.

If the property is being rented and the utilities are included in the rental contract, then the landlord or letting agent will itemise the amounts at the end of the year.

If taking over the utilities from a previous tenant, find out whether the person has cancelled their contract. If not, it will be necessary to transfer (una voltura) the accounts. This is generally easier than setting up new accounts. 

The previous owner or tenant should provide a copy of their bill. It is advisable to go through the meter together to verify that there are no extra charges incurred from the latest bills.

Most utility companies do not read the meters regularly; instead an invoice based on an estimate (stimata) of previous consumption is sent. A meter might be checked once or twice a year, and an invoice is then issued with the amount due adjusted (conguaglio) according to the actual consumption. Bills are usually sent bi-monthly and can generally be paid at the post office or through a direct debit payment from a bank account. 

Electricity

The national electricity company in Italy is ENEL

Standard electricity supply is 220 Volts (V), 50 Hertz (Hz). A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin plug. 

Note: a country’s available voltage is printed on the glass of a light bulb, or the light bulb packet.

Domestic goods purchased in Italy will have a compatible plug attached. Adapters can be bought for appliances with foreign plugs.

• For an explanation and diagram see Wikipedia

The basic electricity contract in Italy is set up to provide approximately 3 to 3.2 kilowatts. If a household expects to run a number of appliances simultaneously and exceed the power available a larger supply (up to 6 kilowatts) can be requested. There is a larger flat rate payment for the supply plus usage charged.

Further power and surge protection can be installed by having an electrician fit a back-up generator and a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply). The work will need to be checked by an ENEL inspector.

To set up a new contract

• Either call ENEL: 800 900 800 or 199 5050 (in Italian).
• Or go to the nearest QuiENEL office in person. 
  • To find the nearest QuiENEL office: Click here

The following information will be needed:

• identity document (Documento Identità)
• client number of the previous tenant (Numero Cliente), if applicable
• tax number (Codice Fiscale) of the account holder if it is being set up by a private person, or partita iva if it is a company
• amount of power required (3 KW, 4 KW or 6 KW)
• current meter reading (lettura del contatore)
• bank details, if payment is to be by direct debit from a bank
• address to which the bills should be sent 
• address to which the contract should be sent

Meter-reading, bill paying and disconnection

ENEL sends out an estimated electricity bill (bollette) every two months. The meters are read twice a year and adjusted bills sent out. The bill will show the account number (numero utente), the amount due (importo) and the date it should be paid (scadenza).

Most homes are now furnished with an electronic remote counter which enables ENEL to measure the usage remotely. It also means that electricity supply can be disconnected remotely when an overdue bill remains unpaid. Before complete disconnection, the amount of electricity supplied is reduced for a period to encourage payment before complete disconnection. During this reduced power period, the supply trips out when larger appliances are used. There is a reconnection fee to re-establish normal supply after a bill is paid and this is charged on the next bill. 

It is suggested that temporary residents pay their bills with a direct debit via a local bank account to avoid arriving and finding their power supply cut-off or on reduced power.

Accounts can be managed through the ENEL website, with a code and a password.

Gas

The gas market was deregulated in January 2003 and consumers are now entitled to choose their provider. The rental agency or real estate agent will be able to provide contacts for the area. 

Gas is widely used for heating, water heating and cooking appliances throughout Italy. 

Gas is available in three forms:

• mains gas (gas di città or mettano)
• bottled gas (bomboli)
• outdoors gas tank (bombolone)

Mains gas

Mains gas (gas di città or mettano) is generally available in large towns and cities in the north of the country. 

Mains gas is used for appliances and heating and all installations have to be approved by the supplier. Gas water heaters need to be serviced and descaled annually.

Getting connected

On moving in, a new tenant or property owner should contact Italgas/SIG to have the meter read and the gas turned on. 

The supplier will need:

• Registration number of the meter
• Name of previous tenant/owner (if possible)
• Name and account details of new tenant/owner

Mains gas is charged by the megacalorie (MCAL) and invoiced bi-monthly. Payments can be made by direct debit or at the post office.

Bottled Gas

Bottled gas (bomboli) is most commonly butane gas (although propane is available). It can be bought in small quantities (usually 10, 15 or 20 kilograms) in bottles and is usually kept in the kitchen under the sink. Bottled gas is most commonly used to fuel cookers but may also be used for "fire" heaters and to heat water. 

Typically a 10 euro deposit, in addition to the price of gas, should be paid to the supplier (local supermarket, petrol station) for the first bombole bought. Following that, the empty bottle can simply be exchanged when paying for a full one. Some gas suppliers do deliveries. 

Gas tank

Tank gas (bombolone) is more common in rural areas. Gas is stored in a large tank outside the house (usually 1,000 litres of liquid gas) and is used for hot water and heating.

Generally, the tank is installed by the gas company and remains their property. They charge for supplying the gas.

A tenant/owner will need to sign a supply contract with the gas company and will be charged for a fixed minimum usage per year.

The property insurer must be informed if the property is using a gas tank (charges may be slightly higher).

Contacts

• ENEL 
  Tel: 800 900 800 or 199 5050
• VIVIGAS
  Tel: 800 151313 (client service number)
• ITALGAS
  Tel: call centre 800 900 700 or 800 987 898 or 800 900 999

Water

Every area has its own water company. The water supply is controlled by the local commune with a price being agreed with the ACEA (Azienda Comunale Energia e Ambiente) depending on the size of reserves and rainfall received in the region.

Mains water supply is limited to a fixed, metered amount per household and an annual consumption which exceeds the limit must be paid for.

"Outdoors" water (for hosepipe watering or to fill a swimming pool) requires a specific contract (uso vario) and is metered separately.

Water is usually billed twice a year with an "estimate". When the meter is read, an adjusted bill is sent. At this point it is recommended to take confirm the reading to make sure the figures are correct.

Getting connected 

To arrange to receive water, provide the local water company with:

• tax code (Codice Fiscale)
• identification document (Documento Identità)
• Tel: 06 5799 5799 for an operator (Italian speaking)
  Fax: 06 5799 6408.

Note: Generally, residents of apartments and condominiums will pay the water bill as part of the fees, no special arrangements are needed. 

Post Offices

The Italian national, Poste Italiene, provides a bill paying service (pagamento delle bollette) widely used for making regular payments for services: gas, water, electricity, telephone, insurance, rent, road tax and television licence fees. 

A pre-printed form (bollettino premacarto) will arrive with the bill. This should include all payment details (if not, the name, address and account number of the payee must be entered). The two part form should be taken to the payments counter at the post office. The teller will keep half the form and stamp and return the other half.

Post offices are open Monday to Friday 08:25-14:00 and Saturday 08:25-12:00.

• Poste Italiane has a comprehensive website in English: Click here

Useful & Emergency Contact Numbers – Utilities

Further Information

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Telephone & Internet Providers in Italy
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Domestic Electricity and Home Appliances in Italy