New electricity rule affects Croatian households this winter

A new electricity consumption threshold has come into force for Croatian households, with the portion of electricity used above 3,000 kilowatt-hours during the six-month period until the end of March 2027 subject to a 35 per cent higher charge.

The new period began on 1 October and runs until 31 March 2027.

The threshold applies to total household consumption during the entire six-month period.

Importantly, it is not a monthly limit.

A household can therefore use more than 500 kWh in a particular month without automatically facing a higher charge.

The key figure is the cumulative consumption between 1 October and 31 March.

If total consumption remains at or below 3,000 kWh, the regulated tariff arrangements continue to apply.

If consumption exceeds 3,000 kWh, the higher charge applies only to the electricity consumed above that threshold.

For example, a household using 3,200 kWh during the six-month period would continue to pay the applicable tariff on the first 3,000 kWh.

The additional 200 kWh would be subject to the 35 per cent increase.

Crossing the threshold therefore does not make the entire six-month consumption 35 per cent more expensive.

The measure is particularly relevant for households that rely heavily on electricity for heating.

Electric heaters, heat pumps, electric boilers, air-conditioning systems and other high-consumption appliances can significantly increase household electricity use during the colder months.

According to the applicable tariff arrangements, the regulated working-energy price for households with a single tariff is €0.091324 per kWh.

For households using a dual-tariff system, the working-energy rates are €0.097189 per kWh during the higher tariff and €0.047688 during the lower tariff, up to the relevant threshold.

These figures refer to the energy component of the bill and do not represent the total amount paid by households, which also includes network charges and other regulated components.

The Croatian Government introduced the measure as part of a wider package designed to protect households and businesses from energy-price shocks.

The Government has said its energy measures for electricity, gas and heating energy for the period from October to March are worth €170.14 million.

For households, the Government estimates that the average monthly electricity bill remains around €43.33 under the measures, compared with an estimated €58.25 without them.

The difference is equivalent to around €89.52 over six months for an average household.

The new threshold means that households with high winter electricity consumption will need to monitor their usage more closely.

For households using electric heating, the 3,000 kWh figure could become particularly important as temperatures fall.

The current arrangement is scheduled to run until 31 March 2027, after which the rules will depend on the measures then in force.