← FFCheckElectricity & gasDE
Electricity & gas · Germany
Checked 2026-09-30

🗓️ Estimated bills and back-billing in Germany: 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 Germany

Back-billing and estimated bills

There is no fixed back-billing limit in months. Suppliers must bill at least once a year and send the bill within six weeks after the billing period. Claims generally expire after three years, counted from the end of the year in which they arose.

  • Estimated bills must be clearly and visibly marked as estimates, with the reason. If you object with good reason, the supplier must read the meter itself at no extra cost. (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • In default supply, billing errors are corrected only for the last reading period before the error was found, unless a longer effect is proven, and then for at most three years. (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • The final bill must arrive within six weeks after the contract ends; any credit must be paid out within two weeks. A bill is due no earlier than two weeks after you receive it. (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • You can choose monthly, quarterly or half-yearly billing instead of yearly, and get your bills electronically free of charge. (gesetze-im-internet.de)
Official source: gesetze-im-internet.de · 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 Germany 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

Schlichtungsstelle Energie e. V.Settles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint📞 030 / 27 57 240-0🔗 www.schlichtungsstelle-energie.de
Bundesnetzagentur (Verbraucherservice Energie)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 0228 14 15 16🔗 www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Vportal/Energie/start.html

❓ 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 Germany 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→

More help in Germany

All other problems: who handles whatWho do I contact?100+ things that go wrong — money, housing, work, safety, health, papers, government — and the one desk in Germany that actually handles each: phone, site, and what to say when they pick up.Before it goes wrongCan I?What is allowed, what is not, which permit you need — with the official source.Recognise it firstIs dit veilig?Check a phone number, website or message against 47,000 scam dossiers.