The Lisboeta

Galp must offer payment plans after billing backlog

Monday, 12 January 2026AI summary
Galp must offer payment plans after billing backlog

Galp customers have received large, delayed bills—some reported above €500—after months without regular billing; the Energy Services Regulatory Authority has registered around 80 complaints and reminds the company it must offer payment plans and may be required to compensate affected consumers. The disruption stems from billing interruptions dating back to September and the regulator is pressuring remedies. Expats with Galp accounts should review recent invoices, request instalment plans from the company and register complaints with the regulator if needed; keep proof of bills and communications.

Context & Explainers

Galp is Portugal’s integrated energy company operating in fuel, natural gas, electricity retail, refining and upstream activities, and it supplies households and businesses across the country. For expats, issues at Galp—such as recent billing disruptions—can mean unexpected large utility bills or service problems, so check your account, contact the supplier and keep billing records.

The Energy Services Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos or ERSE) is Portugal’s regulator for electricity, gas and fuel markets, responsible for licensing, tariffs and consumer protection. ERSE handles consumer complaints (it received about 80 complaints in the recent Galp case), can investigate billing disputes and impose sanctions, so it’s the authority to contact for unresolved energy issues.

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