What should be on the bill?

The electricity bill should contain the following information:

  • Contracted power, including the price
  • Dates and means for customers to communicate readings
  • Actual and estimated consumption (associated quantities)
  • Energy price and tariffs applicable to the sale and consumption of energy (unit price and total)
  • Total and itemized network access tariff
  • Billing period
  • Applicable taxes and fees, itemized
  • Payment conditions, terms, and methods
  • Consequences for non-payment
  • Costs of general economic interest (CIEG)
  • The value of the social tariff discount, when applicable
  • The difference between the amount paid and what would be paid under the regulated (transitional) tariff

The bill should also include information on:

  • Other services provided, if applicable
  • CO2 emissions corresponding to the consumed and billed energy
  • Contact information for the supplier
  • Contact information for reporting faults and emergencies
  • The percentage of primary energy sources used in electricity production (wind, hydropower, natural gas, coal, etc.)

When can billing adjustments occur?

Billing adjustments can occur in the following situations:

  • Correction of previous estimated consumptions after meter readings
  • Correction of measurement, reading, and billing errors
  • Anomaly in the operation of the meter
  • Irregular consumption and energy theft

How are adjustments made?

If the adjustment is in favor of the consumer, the credit amount should be considered in the adjustment bill itself.

If the adjustment is in favor of the supplier, the consumer can request payment in installments for the amount in question, with the number of installments taking into account the number of months to be adjusted.

If the need for billing adjustment is not the consumer’s responsibility, no interest payment is required.

What is the multi-month payment plan for estimate adjustments?

Consumers (domestic customers) of electricity who receive a bill with estimate adjustments equal to or exceeding 25% of their average consumption over the last six months must also receive a bill indicating an automatic installment payment plan, which can be up to 12 monthly installments. If the consumer wishes, they can pay the entire bill amount, including the adjustment, by communicating it to their supplier.

The adjustment amount to be considered in each bill is limited to the higher of the following values:

  • 25% of the average consumption of the previous 6 months before the adjustment bill
  • €5

This special regime does not apply if there is no consumption history of six months or more related to the billing adjustment and for fixed-amount payment methods.

Do you have to pay the audiovisual contribution (CAV)?

Yes, the audiovisual contribution aims to finance the public broadcasting and television service, but the law stipulates that this funding is secured through the collection of the audiovisual contribution on the electricity bill.

Exemptions from paying the CAV include:

  • Consumers whose annual consumption is below 400 kWh.
  • Agricultural activities in CAE groups 011/015, division 01, section A.

The value of the CAV is determined annually in the State Budget (currently €2.85). Consumers with a social tariff pay a reduced amount (€1).

What is the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) exploitation tax?

It is a tax paid to the State, collected on the electricity bill for the use and operation of electrical installations. Its value is fixed and determined by the DGEG.

What are the costs of general economic interest (CIEG)?

These are costs associated with the country’s energy policy, including rents paid by electricity companies to municipalities, additional costs related to electricity production from renewable and non-renewable energy sources, or convergence between mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira. They are not regulated by ERSE (Energy Regulatory Authority), but they are passed on to consumers in the final electricity bill.

What is the special consumption tax on electricity (IEC)?

It is a subcategory of the tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (ISP). It was created in 2012 and is charged on the electricity bill. You can find the current value of the IEC.

Do bills expire or become void?

Yes, the right of the electricity supplier to receive payment for the service provided expires within six months after the supply.

If, for any reason, the consumer has paid an amount less than the actual consumption, the supplier’s right to receive the difference in amounts expires six months after that first payment.

For the prescription and expiration to take effect, the consumer must expressly invoke/communicate it (preferably in writing) to their supplier.

If the bill has already been paid, subsequently invoking prescription/expiration does not result in a refund of the amounts already paid.

Payment agreements for a fixed monthly amount can also prevent the expiration of the right to payment of the difference in values, with the adjustment amounts remaining unpaid at the end of the agreement.