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Electricity & gas · Romania
Checked 2026-09-30

🗓️ Estimated bills and back-billing in Romania: how far back can my supplier charge me?

The short answer

If your meter was not read for a long time, a large catch-up bill can follow. Many countries limit how far back a supplier may charge and set rules for meter readings.

📜 The rules in Romania

Back-billing and estimated bills

Your electricity bill must show whether the reading was taken by the distribution operator, by you or estimated, and how many days (at least 5) you have to send your own reading. If a settlement bill shows you overpaid more than 100 lei, the supplier must refund it within 5 days.

  • The 100-lei refund rule within 5 days of the settlement invoice applies to electricity and to gas. (anre.ro)
  • Under ANRE's amended rules (press release 30 June 2026), your supplier sends an alert by e-mail, SMS or another agreed electronic channel when your use reaches a preset threshold of up to 80% of the monthly estimate in your consumption agreement. (anre.ro)
Official source: anre.ro · Checked 2026-09-30

🪜 Step by step

  1. Read your meter nowTake a dated photo and send the reading to your supplier. It stops estimates from growing.
  2. Check the period on the billWhich months are charged, and was the reading real or estimated?
  3. Compare with the rulesSee below how far back a supplier may bill in Romania and how often your meter must be read.
  4. Dispute in writingIf the bill goes back further than allowed, write to the supplier, then to the dispute body below.

📇 Who to contact

Autoritatea Națională de Reglementare în Domeniul Energiei (ANRE)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 021.9782🔗 anre.ro

❓ Questions

Do I have to pay a huge catch-up bill at once?

Ask for a payment plan. Many suppliers must offer one; the rules for Romania are on this page.

Why did I get an estimated bill?

No reading was available. Send a real reading and ask for a corrected bill.

What if the meter was faulty?

Ask the grid operator to test it. Keep the test report for your complaint.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-30

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

🧾Wrong or high bill→📣Complaint about a supplier→📟Smart meter→🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→

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