Utility bills in Czechia are made up of rent (nájem), energy (energie — elektřina and plyn), water (vodné a stočné), heating (teplo), internet, and building fees (SVJ, fond oprav). When you move in, you pay monthly advances (zálohy), and once a year you receive an annual reconciliation (vyúčtování) showing either an overpayment (přeplatek) or an additional payment due (nedoplatek).
As a newcomer, you have three key tasks: transfer the electricity and gas contracts into your own name (přepis), switch suppliers if you want to save money, and make sure your advances actually match your real consumption. Below we walk through each step with figures and deadlines current as of 2026. Always double-check exact amounts with your supplier and in your rental agreement.
It's important to distinguish two separate things: payments to the landlord or SVJ (for building-related services) and direct contracts with energy and internet providers, which are signed in your own name.
| Item | What it is | Who usually pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nájem | Net rent paid to the owner | Tenant |
| Elektřina | Electricity (lighting, appliances, often the boiler) | Tenant, contract in their own name |
| Plyn | Gas — heating, stove, gas boiler | Tenant, contract in their own name |
| Vodné a stočné | Water supply and sewage | Via service zálohy |
| Teplo (ÚT) | Central heating and hot water | Via service zálohy |
| Internet and TV | Home internet, sometimes cable TV | Tenant, separate contract |
| Odpad, výtah, úklid | Waste collection, elevator, cleaning of common areas | Via service zálohy |
| Fond oprav, správa SVJ | Repair fund and building management | Owner, not the tenant |
Here's the key point for tenants: by law, contributions to the fond oprav and SVJ management fees are the owner's responsibility — they're not a service tied to using the flat, so they shouldn't appear in the tenant's service reconciliation. Electricity, gas, and internet are usually contracted directly by the tenant, while water, heating, and waste go through the zálohy collected by the landlord or SVJ. Whatever arrangement you have, make sure it's spelled out clearly in the lease.
There's no single exact figure — the price depends on your supplier (dodavatel), tariff (sazba), and distribution region (distribuce). As a rough guide, in 2026 the full price of electricity, including all regulated fees and DPH (VAT), runs somewhere between 4.5 and 6.5 CZK per kWh, averaging around 5.5–6 CZK/kWh; the market (energy) component alone, excluding VAT, hovers around 2.2–2.5 CZK/kWh. Gas, per kWh, is typically noticeably cheaper than electricity.
Compared with 2025, final prices have dropped by roughly 10–15%, mainly because the renewable energy support surcharge (POZE) has been abolished: since 2026, the state covers this cost for households and businesses, saving around 1,200 CZK a year at a consumption level of 2 MWh. The regulated distribution fee has risen slightly in the meantime (by about 100 CZK per MWh in the largest regions), but the overall bill still ends up lower.
Average annual consumption is a useful benchmark for estimating your own costs. A flat without electric heating typically uses around 3 MWh (2,900–3,000 kWh) of electricity per year. A family of four in a flat with gas heating and a gas boiler usually spends about 2,500–3,500 kWh of electricity, while with an electric boiler it's noticeably higher — around 4,500–5,500 kWh. To calculate your own figures and monthly záloha, use the official government comparison tool run by the ERÚ regulator — srovnavac.eru.gov.cz — which compares offers from virtually all suppliers; for a quick estimate, independent commercial comparison sites like Ušetřeno.cz or TZB-info also work well. Don't rely on outdated figures from forums or chats — tariffs change every year.
Přepis energií means both terminating the previous tenant's contract and signing a new one for the same supply point (odběrné místo) in your name. Skip this step and bills will keep arriving addressed to the previous tenant or the owner — and someone else's unpaid debts could end up attached to your account.
Here's the process when you move in:
Timelines: if only the tenant changes and the supplier stays the same, transferring the supply point (přepis) typically takes around two weeks. If you're switching suppliers at the same time, the process can stretch to about a month. The technical transfer within the OTE market operator's system takes around 10 business days, though the overall timeline also depends on the notice period in your previous contract.
Switching your electricity or gas dodavatel is a consumer right protected by law, and the switch itself is always free — but it can save you thousands of crowns a year. In a rented flat, this is possible as long as the energy contract is in your name; it's a good idea to let the owner know before switching. First you complete the přepis into your own name, then you choose a new supplier.
The key thing is timing your termination correctly, according to the notice period (výpovědní lhůta):
The maximum length of a fixed-term contract, including all renewals, is 36 months, after which it automatically becomes open-ended. Practical tip: before switching, compare offers on the official ERÚ comparison tool, and download termination and withdrawal forms (odstoupení) directly from the ERÚ regulator's website (eru.gov.cz). Don't just look at the price per kWh — also check the fixed monthly fee (stálý plat) and the length of the fixed term, since a longer lock-in isn't always the better deal.
Zálohy are monthly advance payments for energy and building services. Under the energy law, they must be set so that the annual reconciliation results in the smallest possible overpayment or shortfall. A supplier can raise your záloha if prices or your consumption go up, but they must give advance notice of any price change. It's most convenient to pay via inkaso (direct debit) from a bank account or through SIPO — for this you'll need a Czech bank account.
The vyúčtování arrives once a year. For energy, the supplier issues an annual reconciliation based on the actual meter reading (odečet); if supply ends partway through the year, they're required to send the final statement within 15 days of receiving the necessary consumption data. For rental services, Act No. 67/2013 Sb. applies: tenants must receive the reconciliation for the calendar year by April 30 of the following year, and you have 30 days from receiving it to file a complaint (reklamace). Always check the opening and closing meter readings against what was recorded when you moved in.
If you get hit with a large additional payment, don't panic: check the readings and the billing period first, and file a reklamace within the deadline if there's an error. If the calculation turns out to be correct, ask to have your future zálohy increased so you don't build up debt again. If you end up in a dispute with the owner over a reconciliation, a lawyer can help. For more on getting connected, see our guide to home internet in Czechia, and for getting your deposit back when you move out, check our guide on how to reclaim your rental deposit.
The fond oprav and SVJ management fees are the owner's responsibility. This isn't a service tied to using the flat, so it shouldn't appear in the tenant's service reconciliation unless the lease explicitly states otherwise.
If the supplier stays the same, přepis usually takes about two weeks. If you're switching suppliers at the same time, it can take up to about a month. Submit your meter readings within roughly 5 days of moving in.
If the energy contract stays in the owner's name and you pay through service zálohy, a přepis isn't strictly necessary — but be sure to record the meter readings and the payment arrangement in your lease. You'll need a contract in your own name if you want to choose your own supplier and keep an eye on your bill.
Yes, as long as the energy contract is in your name. First complete the přepis into your own name, then switch dodavatele; it's worth letting the owner know about the change. The switch itself is free by law.
Check the opening and closing meter readings and the billing period. If there's an error, file a reklamace within 30 days of receiving the reconciliation. If the calculation is correct, ask to have your future zálohy raised.
Per kWh, gas in Czechia is typically cheaper than electricity, which is why gas heating is often the more economical choice. The final answer depends on your tariff, supplier, and how well-insulated your home is — run the numbers for your own consumption using the ERÚ comparison tool.
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