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Electricity & gas · Belgium
Checked 2026-09-30

💳 Prepayment meter in Belgium: can they fit one, and what are my rights?

The short answer

With a prepayment meter you pay before you use energy. It can help with budgeting, but there are rules on when one may be fitted and on protection when the credit runs out.

📜 The rules in Belgium

Prepayment meters

Flanders: if you cannot pay a commercial supplier, Fluvius becomes your social supplier and the digital meter runs with Prepaid: you pay in advance, when and how much you choose. Activation is free. You leave Prepaid once your Fluvius debt is paid and you sign with a commercial supplier.

  • Flanders: when your credit is used up you automatically get emergency credit of €75 for electricity or €75 for gas, repaid from your next top-up. After that, electricity drops to 10 amperes (2,300 W); when that is used up too, the meter switches off. (prepaid.fluvius.be)
  • Flanders: from 1 November to 31 March the OCMW can grant a minimum supply to Prepaid customers who struggle to heat their home. (vlaamsenutsregulator.be)
  • Wallonia: a prepayment meter (compteur à budget) or prepayment function is placed free of charge, e.g. after non-payment. It has emergency credit and does not cut off between 16:00 and 08:00 on weekdays or at weekends; protected customers keep a guaranteed 10 A electricity supply for up to 6 months. (cwape.be)
Fluvius PrepaidFlanders: top up and manage your Prepaid meter.🔗 prepaid.fluvius.be
CWaPE – Le compteur à budgetWallonia: rules for prepayment meters.🔗 cwape.be
Official source: fluvius.be · Checked 2026-09-30

🪜 Step by step

  1. Know the rules on fittingSee below when a supplier may install a prepayment meter in Belgium and who may be protected.
  2. Ask for emergency creditMost prepayment meters have emergency or friendly credit. Ask your supplier how it works.
  3. Get help if you cannot top upContact your supplier straight away and ask about extra support.
  4. Complain if the rules were brokenIf a meter was fitted wrongly, complain to the supplier, then to the dispute body below.

📇 Who to contact

Fluvius PrepaidFlanders: top up and manage your Prepaid meter.🔗 prepaid.fluvius.be
CWaPE – Le compteur à budgetWallonia: rules for prepayment meters.🔗 cwape.be/node/182?dir=2.4.04&lg=1
Ombudsdienst voor Energie / Service de Médiation de l'ÉnergieSettles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint📞 +32 2 211 10 60🔗 www.ombudsmanenergie.be/nl
CREG – Commissie voor de Regulering van de Elektriciteit en het GasSupervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.creg.be/nl
Vlaamse Nutsregulator (VNR, voorheen VREG) (Flanders)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.vlaamsenutsregulator.be
CWaPE – Commission wallonne pour l'Énergie (Wallonia)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.cwape.be
BRUGEL (Brussels-Capital Region)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 brugel.brussels

❓ Questions

Can I switch back to a normal meter?

Often yes, once any debt is dealt with. Ask your supplier.

Do I pay more with a prepayment meter?

The rules on prepayment prices differ. The rules for Belgium are on this page.

Can I still switch supplier?

Usually yes, even with a prepayment meter. Debts can limit this.

📎 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

💸Can’t pay the bill→🩺Vulnerable and medical customers→🤝Help with energy costs→🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→

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