Estimated bills and back-billing in Lithuania: how far back can my supplier charge me?
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 Lithuania
Back-billing and estimated bills
If ESO does not get your meter reading by the last day of the month, the bill is based on your average consumption over the last 12 months. When you then declare a reading, the next bill shows a line 'Perskaičiuota už praeitus laikotarpius' (recalculated for past periods): the estimated months are corrected to the real consumption, charged at the tariff of the month billed. Declare between the 20th and the last day of the month to be billed on actual use. A legal time limit on how far back bills may be corrected could not be confirmed on an official page.
- If you declare no reading for 12 months, ESO sends a contractor to read the meter and charges 12.69 EUR incl. VAT once a year for the actual visit, with a separate bill; it warns you about a month ahead, and if you declare after the warning the visit still happens but is not charged. The fee never applies to smart meters. (eso.lt)
- If your readings look too high, ask ESO for a check: it sends an employee to assess whether the meter works properly. For a period when nobody lived in the home you can send proof (for example a water-supplier certificate) and ESO reviews the recalculation. (eso.lt)
🪜 Step by step
- Read your meter nowTake a dated photo and send the reading to your supplier. It stops estimates from growing.
- Check the period on the billWhich months are charged, and was the reading real or estimated?
- Compare with the rulesSee below how far back a supplier may bill in Lithuania and how often your meter must be read.
- Dispute in writingIf the bill goes back further than allowed, write to the supplier, then to the dispute body below.
📇 Who to contact
❓ 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 Lithuania 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
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