📄 Can they chase me for old electricity and heating bills?

With conditions

Quick answer

Yes — but after 3 years you can refuse, provided you say so expressly. Bills for electricity, water, heating, phone and the building charge are periodic payments and are subject to the short, 3-year limitation period under the Obligations and Contracts Act. The general period is 5 years, but periodic claims fall under the 3-year rule. The part most people miss: the court does not apply limitation of its own motion — you must raise it expressly, by objection. Stay silent and you will pay a debt that has already lapsed. The period is interrupted by acknowledging the debt and by the bringing of a claim — and a partial payment counts as acknowledgement and restarts the clock.

📋 The rules

Bills are periodic payments — limitation of 3 years
The general period is 5 years; here the short one applies
The court does not apply limitation of its own motion
An express objection from you is required
Payment or acknowledgement interrupts and restarts the clock

🔓 Exceptions

Limitation is interrupted by bringing a claim and by acknowledging the debt
For individuals there is also a longer absolute limitation period
Against an order for payment, the objection is filed within 2 weeks

⚠️ Penalties & fines

If you do not object, the court will uphold even a lapsed debt — the costliest mistake people make with old bills. Against an order for payment under art. 410, the deadline to object is 2 weeks from service; miss it and the order takes effect, followed by a writ of execution, an enforcement agent and attachment. Beware collection agencies: they often offer to "reschedule" lapsed debts — every payment and every written acknowledgement interrupts limitation and sends the clock back to zero. Before you pay or sign anything, check how old the debt actually is.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

What is the limitation period for bills?

Three years. Bills for electricity, water, heating, phone and the building charge are periodic payments and fall under the short, three-year limitation period.

Does the debt lapse automatically?

No. The court does not apply limitation of its own motion — you must raise it expressly by objection. Stay silent and judgment will go against you even on a lapsed debt.

What interrupts the limitation period?

Acknowledging the debt and bringing a claim. Careful: a partial payment counts as acknowledgement and restarts the three-year clock from scratch.

I received an order for payment — what do I do?

File a written objection within 2 weeks of service. Miss the deadline and the order takes effect, followed by a writ of execution and attachment.

A collection agency offered me a payment plan. Should I take it?

Check how old the debt is first. Every payment and every written acknowledgement interrupts limitation and sends the three-year clock back to the beginning.

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