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Electricity & gas · Italy
Checked 2026-09-30

🗓️ Estimated bills and back-billing in Italy: 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 Italy

Back-billing and estimated bills

Electricity, gas and water amounts for periods more than two years old are time-barred (Law 205/2017), also for recalculations. It is not automatic: you must tell the supplier you will not pay them. The bill must warn you and offer a form.

  • If you pay by direct debit, only the amounts that are not time-barred may be charged. The supplier may also choose to waive the old amounts and must tell you. (arera.it)
  • For electricity meters that are not smart meters, the supplier must let you send a self-reading (autolettura) in the window shown on the bill, and must accept it unless it is clearly wrong. (arera.it)
Official source: arera.it · 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 Italy 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

Servizio Conciliazione ARERASettles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint🔗 conciliazione.arera.it/risoluzione-controversie/servizio-conciliazione-gen
ARERA - Autorità di Regolazione per Energia Reti e AmbienteSupervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 800.166.654🔗 www.arera.it/consumatori

❓ 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 Italy 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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