The process of settling in Greece can be a bit tedious because of the inefficient administrative infrastructure, but with a little patience and a lot of information beforehand, you will be able to settle in without any problems and fully enjoy your life as an expat. Turning on your electricity is one of the most important procedures when moving to a new country, such as obtaining your Greek tax number (AFM). Fortunately opening an electricity contract in Greece is not complicated and you will be able to live in your new home very quickly. Also, it is important to compare Greek energy suppliers and to know how to open an electricity contract. I’m Lisbob, the expats assistant, and I’ll explain everything you need to know about electricity in Greece: prices, suppliers and contract opening.
Price
The price of electricity in Greece is cheaper than the European average, even if the country is facing a huge price increase in 2022.
The rate of your bill will depend on the supplier and the offer you choose to subscribe to. For example, you will get discounts if you choose time-of-use rates, with a reduction on electricity used between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., for example.
Payment
Your bill will arrive by mail every two months. Regardless of the company you choose, you will receive an initial invoice (called enanti) estimating your usage, and then another adjusted invoice (called katharistiko) will be sent to you two months later. You can also opt for a self-reading of the meter, which you can send to the company via the Internet. The meter is read three times a year. If you think you will be using very little, we advise you to make a self-statement so that you do not have to advance money to the company unnecessarily.
The price of electricity also includes the audiovisual tax, unlike in France where it is paid with other taxes. This tax is automatically added to your bill, but if you do not have a TV, you can opt out. You will then have to make a request to your supplier.
To pay your bills, you can either log in directly to your online account, or:
Pay with an ATM
In a post office
In some supermarkets and tobacco shops
Electricity in Greece: prices, suppliers, contract opening
Supplier
DEH: DEH (DEI) is the public electricity company of Greece. The majority of Greeks have a contract with this company, but more and more are turning to independent companies with better offers. It is neither the cheapest nor the most competent. Its customer service is not great, according to users.
Here is a list of other independent and private electricity providers, offering very competitive rates and much more responsive customer service: Protergia, Elpedison, Heron, Watt, Zenith, Volton, NRG, Fysiko Aerio, Volterra, Enegreen, Skolia.
Other companies such as Enel offer green energy from 100% renewable sources. By registering with these suppliers you participate in sustainable development projects, while supplying your home with electricity (and gas).
Contract opening
It is not easy to proceed with administrative procedures in another country, even less when you do not speak the language. Fortunately, opening an electricity contract in Greece is easier than it sounds.
In order to open an electricity contract in Greece, you will need the following documents:
Your Greek tax number (AFM). This document is essential to have, it will be useful when you want to have a phone number
An identity document
A property lease or purchase agreement
An electric bill from the previous owner, if you wish to keep the same electric company
You will not be able to open a new electricity contract without physically visiting your supplier’s office, it will not work on the Internet or by phone. Lisbob advises you to go to the office as soon as it opens or even before it opens. The offices usually close in the early afternoon, and no one will process your file even if you have been in line for several hours.
In Greece it is possible to connect directly online via your personal account. If you don’t speak Greek, most of the suppliers’ websites are fortunately translated into English.
As a tenant
If you are a tenant in your new home in Greece, it is very possible that your landlord will decide to keep the electricity bill in his name. In this case, you will have almost nothing to do except to pay and check the meter on the day of arrival. This is the simplest case, since you save yourself all the administrative procedures.
If your landlord has decided to cut the previous contract, you should open a new one in your name. Simply visit your supplier’s office with the documents listed.
As an owner
If you are the new owner of a home, you can start opening a new electricity contract as soon as your contract is signed. You will need to open a new one in your name.
To do this, you will need the same documents as if you were a tenant but in addition to these you’ll need:
A special certification from an electrician, if it has expired. They last 14 years for a home, and must be redone within 15 days of a new property purchase. These certificates are used to determine that your property is up to standard.
If you are making a new contract and not just a name change, you will also need to have as documentation:
A statement from a civil engineer indicating the official measurement of your building
Electrical wiring plans for your building, which must be drawn by a certified electrician
Good to know
Power outages are not uncommon in Greece. They occur in particular in the summer because of air conditioners that run at full blast, and winds that can be violent in winter, which can damage electrical equipment.
If your heating is electric, don’t be surprised at your winter electricity bill. Although the country has a relatively mild winter, houses are generally very poorly insulated. There is little double-glazing and the construction of the buildings is quite old in general.
In Greece it is not uncommon for premises to use only supplementary heating in winter, and in parallel many buildings have a central heating system that does not allow for temperature control. Heat escapes very quickly from this type of building, and your electricity bill can go up a lot if you’re not careful.
