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Electricity & gas · Albania
Checked 2026-09-30

🗓️ Estimated bills and back-billing in Albania: 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 Albania

Back-billing and estimated bills

Your meter is read every 30 days and the bill sent within 10 days. If meter data are unavailable for over a month, substitute reference values under an ERE methodology may be billed for at most 3 months; after that, days without metering are billed at zero.

  • You can contest a bill up to 1 year after it was issued. If you were overbilled, the supplier cancels it and issues a corrected bill; money already paid is credited within 3 months, otherwise with a 0.1% per day penalty. (ere.gov.al)
  • A contested bill at least about double your average monthly bill is suspended and checked quickly, with a corrected bill within 10 days. Supply is not cut while your bill complaint is pending. (ere.gov.al)
Official source: ere.gov.al · 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 Albania 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

Enti Rregullator i Energjisë (ERE) – trajtimi i ankesaveSettles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint📞 0800 2323🔗 www.ere.gov.al/sq/sherbime-konsumatori/formulari-i-ankesave
Enti Rregullator i Energjisë (ERE)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 0800 2323🔗 www.ere.gov.al

❓ 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 Albania 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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