Background information

Due to the energy crisis and higher prices on global oil markets following the USA and Israel’s attack on Iran in February 2026, the government issued the Regulation on Obtaining Prior Approval for Increases in the Prices of Electricity and Natural Gas for Certain Categories of Consumers . The purpose of this time-limited and targeted measure is to prevent sudden price increases that could jeopardise households’ social security, increase the risk of energy poverty, and affect access to basic necessities. With this measure, the government has established a mechanism for timely and controlled responses to price pressures, thereby preventing disproportionate price rises and maintaining the stability of living conditions. The current measure is one detailed example of the measures mentioned in case SI-2026-11/4300.

Content of measure

On 9 April 2026, the government issued The Regulation on Obtaining Prior Approval for Increases in the Prices of Electricity and Natural Gas for Certain Categories of Consumers , which contributes to the protection of households and other vulnerable consumers, enables better control over price formation, and reduces the risk of additional inflationary pressures. Under the regulation, electricity and natural gas suppliers must obtain prior government approval if they wish to increase retail prices for electricity and natural gas for certain groups of end-users. The following groups of customers are protected with regard to electricity supply:

• households,
• small business customers, and
• consumption in common areas of multi-unit residential buildings and common areas in mixed-use residential and commercial buildings.

For natural gas supply, the protected customer groups are: * households, * basic social services, * kindergartens, elementary schools, health centres, * small business customers, * public heat distribution service providers, and other heat producers supplying heat to household customers, basic social services, kindergartens, elementary schools, and health centres.

Use of measure

No information available.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

The minutes of the Economic and Social Council do not indicate that the Council discussed this measure during its consultations.

Views and reactions

No information is available regarding the views of trade unions and employers' organisations on the law.

Sources

• 09 April 2026: Regulation on Obtaining Prior Approval for Increases in the Prices of Electricity and Natural Gas for Certain Categories of Consumers (pisrs.si)