Explainer
How to read an electricity bill: what the supplier sets and what the state sets
A bill has several pages and dozens of lines. This guide is for anyone who wants to know which items the supplier sets, which the Energy Regulatory Office sets and which the state sets, and what to check.
Prepared by the Banbosh Studio editors with AI from the comparison's data; first published 15 October 2026. Facts checked on 15 October 2026 against the 7 sources listed at the end. Text last updated 15 October 2026.
The short answer
On the bill separate two things: what your supplier charges (the energy itself and the fixed monthly fee, which a change of supplier can influence) and what is regulated (distribution, breaker, system services, market operator, the same for all suppliers). The electricity tax and VAT come on top.
- This applies to households taking electricity from the low-voltage grid; a gas bill has other regulated items.
- The layout differs by supplier; ERÚ shows a model bill and the names of items may differ.
Who sets each item of the bill
- Item: Energy itself (price for consumption)
- Who sets it: SupplierWhat it depends on: Price list and contract; a fixed price stays for the agreed period
- Item: Fixed monthly fee
- Who sets it: SupplierWhat it depends on: Contract; paid whatever the consumption
- Item: Breaker (reserved capacity)
- Who sets it: ERÚ, price decision 14/2025What it depends on: Size of the main breaker and the distribution rate; a fixed monthly amount
- Item: Distribution in high and low tariff
- Who sets it: ERÚ, price decision 14/2025What it depends on: Distributor, rate (D01d to D61d) and consumption
- Item: System services
- Who sets it: ERÚ, price decision 13/2025What it depends on: Consumption in MWh
- Item: Market operator, non-grid infrastructure
- Who sets it: ERÚ, price decision 13/2025What it depends on: The decision sets the amounts; the market operator is a fixed monthly fee
- Item: Levy for POZE
- Who sets it: ERÚ; zero since 1 January 2026What it depends on: Paid by the state
- Item: Electricity tax
- Who sets it: StateWhat it depends on: Consumption in MWh; per ERÚ 28.30 CZK/MWh
- Item: VAT
- Who sets it: StateWhat it depends on: 21 % on all items
Decision flow: what to take to the supplier
Does the way of reading not fit (a distributor's estimate, but your meter shows another number)?
Yes → Complain about the bill in writing to the supplier and send a photo of the meter.
Is there a difference in the commercial part (a price for consumption or fixed fee unlike the contract and price list)?
Yes → Compare the line with the contract and the valid price list; if they differ, complain to the supplier.
Did only the regulated part change (distribution, system services)?
Yes → That is not an error of the supplier or a reason to end the contract: ERÚ sets the regulated part the same for everyone.
No → Check the amount of the new advance payment and the due date.
What the price of electricity consists of
According to ERÚ the price of electricity and gas consists of a regulated part, an unregulated part and taxes. ERÚ sets the regulated part in price decisions; it covers the networks, the market operator and the regulator. The unregulated part comes from the commodity price on the wholesale market and the supplier's margin, and ERÚ cannot interfere with it.
The shares differ from case to case. For 2026 ERÚ gives these average shares of the price for low voltage (households and small businesses): distribution 30.4 %, system services 2.3 %, non-grid infrastructure 0.6 %, levy for POZE 0.0 %, commodity (unregulated part) 48.9 %, VAT 17.4 % and electricity tax 0.4 %. It is an average for the Czech Republic, not your bill.
For a household on rate D02d with 2.5 MWh a year the regulated part costs CZK 8,508 to CZK 11,343 a year; it depends only on the distributor.
Orange: the regulated part (ERÚ price decisions valid from 1/1/2026), blue: the lowest supplier part of the offers in our comparison. A year with VAT, breaker 3x25 A, supplier price lists checked on 10/8/2026 or later. An estimate, not a bill.
Between the cheapest and the dearest offer lie up to CZK 9,630 a year.
Orange: the cheapest yearly total, blue: the dearest, per distribution area (up to 51 offers in an area). Rate D02d, 2.5 MWh a year, breaker 3x25 A, VAT included; price lists checked on 10/8/2026 or later, regulated part valid from 1/1/2026. An estimate, not a bill.
What parts A, B and C of the bill contain
Part A is the summary: your data, the credit or arrears, the new advance payment, consumption in the billing period and the sum of advances paid. If you paid more in advances than the bill shows you have a credit and the supplier refunds it; otherwise you pay the arrears.
Part B is the detail: the supply point number (EAN), the distribution rate, the way of reading and both parts of the price. The way of reading can be a real reading, a self-reading or a distributor's estimate based on typical load profiles. Part C tells you how to complain, how long the contract lasts and what the new advances will be.
Commercial part: what you influence by choosing a supplier
The commercial part is the price for consumption (consumption times the unit price of your product), the fixed fee you pay whatever you consume, and the electricity tax. The supplier sets this part, which is why it differs between suppliers.
With a fixed price the unit price stays for the agreed period. How fixation works and what a dynamic (spot) price is, the guide on fixed and spot prices explains.
Regulated part: what you cannot influence
The regulated part covers the breaker, distribution, system services and the market operator. The breaker is a fixed monthly fee that grows with the size of the main breaker in front of the meter and does not depend on consumption. Distribution is paid separately in the high and the low tariff.
The low tariff is cheaper and, according to ERÚ, it can be used if you heat with electricity, heat water, charge an electric car or have the weekend rate D61d.
The distribution prices for 2026 were set by ERÚ price decision 14/2025 (Energy Regulatory Bulletin 18/2025), effective from 1 January 2026. They are without electricity tax and VAT. Under that decision the prices of decision 13/2025 are added: system services, the component supporting electricity from supported sources and the operation of non-grid infrastructure.
Decisions 15/2025 and 1/2026 later amended it; find the amounts for your rate and distributor in the decision, we do not copy them here.
The levy for POZE has been zero since 1 January 2026 because the state took over financing the support of renewable sources. The regulated part changes every year under an ERÚ decision that must be published by 30 November, and it affects all suppliers equally.
Taxes: electricity tax and VAT
The electricity tax is, according to ERÚ, 28.30 CZK per MWh, and VAT is added to it. VAT on electricity and gas is 21 % and applies to all items of the bill. Supplier price lists and ERÚ price decisions are often stated without VAT, so when you compare it matters whether an amount includes VAT.
Who it is for
- You got a bill and do not know which line is the credit, the arrears and the advance payment.
- You want to compare offers and need the data a comparison asks for (rate, breaker, consumption).
- You are considering a complaint and need to know where the way of reading is shown.
Watch out for
- A distributor's estimate instead of a real reading: if your meter shows a different value, ERÚ recommends a written complaint.
- A change in the regulated part at the start of the year is not a reason to end the contract and affects all suppliers.
- The supplier may change the advance payments for the next period; the bill itself is not an extra charge.
Frequently asked questions
- Why did my price change when I have a fixed price?
- According to ERÚ fixation concerns the unregulated part. ERÚ sets the regulated part each year and it changes for all suppliers; it is not a reason to end the contract.
- What is the EAN on the bill?
- The supply point number. You need it for a self-reading and when signing with a new supplier.
- How large a share of the price do taxes make?
- According to ERÚ the 2026 averages for low voltage are VAT 17.4 % and electricity tax 0.4 %. It is an average, not an estimate of your bill.
- What if the bill contains a distributor's estimate?
- Compare the meter reading with the billed value. If they differ, ERÚ recommends a written complaint to the supplier.
- Can I compare offers right here?
- The comparison of electricity and gas on Fordeal is still being prepared. Meanwhile you can compare supplier offers in ERÚ's comparison tool.