Greece introduces debt flagging to curb electricity non-payment

debt flagging energy tourism electricity market overdue payments consumer protection

The Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy has introduced a new regulatory framework to combat ‘energy tourism,’ a practice where consumers move between suppliers to avoid paying accumulated debts. This initiative aims to reduce the approximately 3 billion euros in overdue electricity debts recorded by the end of 2025 and protect compliant consumers from bearing the costs of strategic non-payers.

A central component of the new rules is the ‘debt flagging’ system. Under this mechanism, suppliers can report consumers with overdue balances to the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO). A consumer will face a block on switching providers once they accumulate three active flags from three different companies.

The regulation also establishes a specific sequence of actions for suppliers before disconnecting service. Following a second unpaid bill, the supplier must contact the consumer and offer a mandatory payment plan. Only if the consumer rejects or fails to adhere to this plan can the supplier issue a delinquency flag and proceed with meter disconnection. The framework applies to debts incurred from January 1, 2024, onwards.

Entities

Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator · Ministry of Environment and Energy · Nikos Tsafos · Regulatory Authority for Waste, Energy and Water · Stavros Papastavrou

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Consumers with three debt flags cannot change electricity suppliers until debts are settled or rescheduled. www.businessdaily.gr · www.insider.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbomb.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] The Ministerial Decision was signed by Minister Stavros Papastavrou and Deputy Minister Nikos Tsafos. www.businessdaily.gr · www.insider.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbomb.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] A new debt flagging system is being introduced for the first time. www.businessdaily.gr · www.insider.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbomb.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] The Ministry of Environment and Energy is amending the Electricity Supply Code. www.businessdaily.gr · www.insider.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbomb.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Overdue debts to electricity suppliers reached approximately 3 billion euros by the end of 2025. www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbomb.gr