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Electricity & gas · Slovakia
Checked 2026-09-30

🗓️ Estimated bills and back-billing in Slovakia: 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 Slovakia

Back-billing and estimated bills

Your distributor must read your meter at least once a year. If it cannot read it and you do not report the reading, it may estimate consumption from your previous use; if the meter was faulty, it may estimate back to the last physical reading. Gas must be billed at least yearly.

  • A complaint must be settled within 30 days, in complex cases within three months (§ 17a of the Energy Act). A complaint does not postpone the due date of the bill. (urso.gov.sk)
  • If you doubt the meter, you can ask the distributor to test it; you pay for the test only if no fault is found. (urso.gov.sk)
Official source: urso.gov.sk · 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 Slovakia 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

ÚRSO – alternatívne riešenie spotrebiteľských sporovSettles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint📞 02/581 004 81🔗 www.urso.gov.sk/alternativne-riesenie-spotrebitelskych-sporov
Úrad pre reguláciu sieťových odvetví (ÚRSO)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.urso.gov.sk

❓ 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 Slovakia 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.

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