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Electricity & gas · Croatia
Checked 2026-09-30

🗓️ Estimated bills and back-billing in Croatia: 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 Croatia

Back-billing and estimated bills

HEP ODS reads household meters every six months (180 ± 15 days). In between you pay monthly amounts based on estimated use; after the reading you get a six-monthly settlement bill. Any difference is added to or deducted from later bills.

  • You can ask HEP ODS for self-reading: send your meter reading every month and get a monthly bill based on it. If your real six-monthly use differs by more than 30% from what you reported, you lose this option for three years. (hep.hr)
  • HEP Elektra's supply terms: if you paid more than you used, the overpayment is deducted from your next bill(s), after any existing debt is covered. (hepi.hep.hr)
Official source: hep.hr · 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 Croatia 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

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

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 Croatia 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→

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