Italy gas prices hit historic high for vulnerable customers

Gas prices in Italy reached a historic high in October 2026, according to data from the regulatory authority ARERA. For the approximately 2.3 million customers enrolled in the vulnerability protection service, the wholesale price of the raw material rose to 88.36 €/MWh, representing a 9.1% increase compared to September.

For a typical customer consuming 1,100 cubic meters annually, the reference price is 176.80 cents per cubic meter. Consumer advocacy groups, including Unione Nazionale Consumatori and Codacons, have warned that these increases represent a significant financial burden. The Unione Nazionale Consumatori noted that the total cost, including taxes, has surpassed previous peaks recorded during the 2022 energy crisis.

The price surge is attributed to rising wholesale market quotations driven by geopolitical tensions and instability in global supply. Additionally, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has noted that EU gas storage levels are facing a challenging heating season, which may increase dependence on global LNG supplies and heighten market vulnerability.