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Electricity & gas · Croatia
Checked 2026-09-27

💸 I can’t pay my energy bill in Croatia. Can they cut me off?

The short answer

A cut-off is the last step, not the first. There are rules on notice and protection, and help if your income is low.

📜 The rules in Croatia

Protection against cut-off

If you do not pay, the supplier must first send a written reminder. Only then can it ask the grid operator to cut supply, and the grid operator sends you a notice before doing so. Suppliers must tell households about alternatives such as payment plans; HEP Elektra offers instalments once a year.

Official source: hep.hr · Checked 2026-09-27

Help if money is tight

Low-income households with vulnerable-customer status (e.g. guaranteed minimum benefit, national benefit for older people) get 70 EUR a month towards electricity, gas or heat until 31 March 2027. Apply at your regional office of the Hrvatski zavod za socijalni rad.

Naknada za ugroženog kupca energenata 🔗 gov.hr
Official source: narodne-novine.nn.hr · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Act before the deadlineContact the supplier as soon as you know you cannot pay and ask for a payment plan. Put it in writing.
  2. Check the protection rulesSee below what notice the supplier must give and when a cut-off is not allowed in Croatia.
  3. Ask for supportCheck the support scheme below and contact free debt or energy advice.
  4. Answer every letterKeep copies. If a cut-off is announced wrongly, complain straight away to the supplier and the dispute body.

📇 Who to contact

Naknada za ugroženog kupca energenataDiscount or support scheme for energy costsIf you have a low income or receive benefits🔗 gov.hr/hr/naknada-za-ugrozenog-kupca-energenata/746
Hrvatska energetska regulatorna agencija (HERA)Settles disputes with energy companiesWhen the company has not solved your complaint📞 +385 1 6323-777🔗 www.hera.hr

❓ Questions

Can they cut me off without warning?

No, written notice is required. The exact period for Croatia is on this page.

Is there winter protection?

Some countries have it. The rules for Croatia are shown on this page.

Does a payment plan stop a cut-off?

A payment plan you keep to generally prevents a cut-off. Get it confirmed in writing.

📎 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→🏚️Supplier went bust→📣Complaint about a supplier→

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