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Electricity & gas · Austria
Checked 2026-09-27

📟 Smart meter in Austria: do I have to accept one?

The short answer

A smart meter sends readings automatically, so your bill is based on real use. Whether you can refuse one differs per country.

📜 The rules in Austria

Smart meter

Smart meters are the standard. You can ask for 'opt-out' (only monthly values and peak load stored), except if you feed in power, use storage or share energy in a community. From 1 Jan 2027, 15-minute values become the default above 1,500 kWh a year.

Official source: e-control.at · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Check the letterWho installs it, the grid operator or the supplier, and when?
  2. Know your rightsSee below what the rules in Austria are on the rollout and on refusing.
  3. Protect your dataAsk what data is collected and how often. You can usually see your own use online.
  4. Report problemsIf the meter seems wrong, ask the grid operator for a meter test.

📇 Who to contact

E-Control (Energie-Control Austria)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 +43 1 24 7 24-0🔗 www.e-control.at
Verein für Konsumenteninformation (VKI)Independent advice for consumersFor advice, template letters and a second opinion🔗 www.vki.at

❓ Questions

Does a smart meter cost extra?

The costs are usually part of the network charges. Some countries charge people who refuse.

Is my data safe?

Meter data is protected by data-protection law, and you decide who else may see detailed data.

What if the readings look wrong?

Ask the grid operator to check the meter.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 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

🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→

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