Guide on setting up utilities for a property in Croatia
UPDATED: 26.1.2023.
After buying a property in Croatia, one of your priorities will be to switch the utilities to your name. Otherwise, the bills will continue in the previous owner’s name, causing additional stress to both of you.
In Croatia, it is possible to switch most of the utilities by email. Most service providers won’t notify you about the changes after switching the owner. They will just start sending invoices in your name to the property address.
If you are looking for a Croatian mobile phone provider, view this guide. In addition, view this post to learn about Croatian public television and its TV channels.
In this post, we cover:
- Ways to switch utility accounts
- How to switch utilities in Osijek
- How to switch utilities in Rijeka
- How to switch utilities in Split
- How to switch utilities in Zagreb
- What if I am a renter?
The facts are these…
How to set up utilities for a Croatian property
Ways to request a switch of utility accounts in Croatia
Most Croatian providers will allow you to change utility accounts in person, by email, or by mail.
The easiest way to change a utility account is to send a request to the utility provider via email. This way, you will have written proof that you submitted the request, which is helpful in case something goes awry.
Although switching utility accounts doesn’t look like a complicated process, we shouldn’t forget that the Croatian bureaucracy is heavy and complicated. Every person you deal with has a different personality, issues, and coffee breaks. In addition, certain bureaucratic processes, documentation, and solutions can differ for each case.
Next, we’ll discuss how to change utility accounts in Osijek, Rijeka, Split, and Zagreb. In future updates, we’ll add other major Croatian cities.
How to switch utility accounts in Osijek, Croatia
Electricity
To switch an account for electricity in Osijek, you must contact Elektroslavonija Osijek.
The following documentation is required:
- Application form called Zahtjev za sklapanje ugovora (Request for the conclusion of a contract) – view here
- Co-owner consent (optional) – view here
- Copy of your ID card
- Purchase contract
- Handover record with latest meter readings
Send the required documentation to info.dposijek@hep.hr.
Garbage
If you want to change the owner on garbage bills, send a request to UNIKOM Osijek at their email address unikom@unikom.hr.
You only need to send a purchase contract or other proof of ownership.
Gas
If you use gas, you can report a change of ownership to HEP PLIN d.o.o. within 30 days. You have to make a new contract with them.
The following documentation is required:
- Application form called Zahtjev za sklapanje ugovora o opskrbi plinom (Request for the conclusion of a gas supply contract) – view here
- Purchase contract
- Gas meter reading
Deliver the required documentation to:
HEP PLIN d.o.o.
Cara Hadrijana 7, 31 000 Osijek – view map
Heating
If you use heating provided by the HEP electric utility provider, you must deliver your request for switching the account to HEP Toplinarstvo within 8 days. Deliver the documentation to toplinarstvo.osijek@hep.hr or in person to the address:
HEP-TOPLINARSTVO d.o.o.
Pogon Osijek
Ulica cara Hadrijana 7, 31 103 Osijek – view map
The following documentation is required:
- Application form called Zahtjev za promjenom krajnjeg kupca toplinske energije (Request for change of data in the register records of end buyers of heat energy) – view here
- Copy of your ID card
- Purchase contract or other proof of ownership
- Handover record with latest meter readings
Water
To change the owner on water bills, you must contact Vodovod Osijek.
The following documentation is required:
- Application form called Zahtjev za prijavu/izmjenu podataka korisnika vodnih usluga (Request for registration/change of data of water service users) – view here
- Purchase contract or other proof of the reason for the change
Deliver the required documentation to Vodovod Osijek via email vodovod@vodovod.com or in person at the address:
VODOVOD OSIJEK
Služba obračuna i naplate vodnih usluga – Rad s korisnicima
Poljski put 1, 31 000 Osijek – view map
How to switch utility accounts in Rijeka, Croatia
Electricity
If you wish to set up electricity in Rijeka, you must make a new contract with Elektroprimorje Rijeka. You’ll need the billing location number called broj obračunskog mjesta from the previous owner to complete the application form.
The following documentation is required:
- Copy of purchase contract
- Application form Zahtjev broj 6
The request must be delivered via email info.dprijeka@hep.hr or in person at the following address:
Elektroprimorje Rijeka
Viktora Cara Emina 2, 51 000 Rijeka – view map
Garbage
Changes in ownership or the number of household members must be reported to Čistoća Rijeka before the 22nd day of the month. When a property changes ownership, the new owner must notify Čistoća Rijeka within 15 days.
The following documentation is required:
- Purchase contract
- Certificate on the number of household members called potvrda o broju članova kućanstva OR certificate of residence called potvrda o prebivalištu/boravištu – you can get it at MUP
Deliver the required documentation in person or via mail to:
KD Čistoća d.o.o.
Dolac 14, 21 000 Rijeka – view map
Gas
To change the owner on gas bills, you must contact Energo d.o.o. within 30 days from the date of the change. You will have to make a new contract with them. After you submit the request, changes will be made immediately.
The following documentation is required:
- Copy of an ID card
- Proof of ownership – purchase contact or decision on inheritance
- Handover record with the latest meter readings
You must visit them in person at the address:
Dolac 14, 51 000 Rijeka – view map
ground floor counter hall
Water
If the property owner has changed, you must notify Vodovod i kanalizacija within 30 days.
The following documentation is required:
- Application form called Zahtjev za promjenom korisnika vodnih usluga (Request to change users of water services) – view here
- Purchase contract or decision on inheritance
- Water meter’s serial number and condition
The request must be delivered to Vodovod i kanalizacija in person at the following address:
Odjel prodaje i naplate
Ground floor counter hall – cash register
Dolac 14, 51 000 Rijeka – view map
Another option is to submit the request via email registar@kdvik-rijeka.hr or by mail to:
KD VODOVOD I KANALIZACIJA d.o.o. Rijeka
Dolac 14, 51 000 Rijeka
How to switch utility accounts in Split, Croatia
Electricity
If you wish to set up electricity in the Split area, you must contact your electricity supplier of the electricity.
Users of HEP Elektra must email the request to elektra@hep.hr. Users of HEP Opskrba must email the request to prijepisi.opskrba@hep.hr.
Your request should include:
- Reason for the transfer of ownership (purchase, lease, inheritance…)
- Document on which the change of ownership is based – excerpt from the land register, purchase contract, gift contract, lease agreement, a decision on inheritance
- Contact phone of the old and new owner
- Application request
Garbage
To change the account for garbage collection, you must deliver the following documentation to :
- Last bill
- Purchase contract or excerpt from the land registry
- Number of people living on your property
Deliver the documentation to one of the following emails:
An alternative is to visit their office at Put Mostina 49.
Water
Switching a water supply account in Split can be requested only by the owner or possessor of the building or property.
The following documentation is required:
- Copy of a bill for consumed water
- Identity card and OIB
- Proof of ownership or possession of the property – ownership certificate, decision on inheritance, or other
To change the owner, you must deliver this documentation to Vodovod i kanalizacija d.o.o. Split. Do this by e-mail at info@vik-split.hr, send a mail to the company’s office, or visit them in person at the address:
Vodovod i kanalizacija d.o.o. Split
Centar za potrošače (Consumer Center)
Hercegovačka 8, 21 000 Split – view map
How to switch utility accounts in Zagreb, Croatia
Electricity
To switch the account for electricity in Zagreb, you must send an e-mail to HEP at info.dpzagreb@hep.hr.
The following documentation is required:
- Application form called Zahtjev za sklapanje ugovora (Request for the conclusion of a contract) – view here
- Co-owner consent (optional) – view here
- Copy of your ID card
- Purchase contract
- Handover record with the latest meter readings
Co-owner consent is required in cases when the property has more than one owner. The co-owner must provide written consent to prove they agree to switch the account to your name.
HEP will update the data and switch the accounts within a month.
Garbage
If you want to switch an account for garbage, send a request to Zagrebački Holding. Their email address is centarzakorisnike@zgh.hr.
The following documentation is required:
- Application form called Zahtjev za promjenu naziva obveznika/potrošača (Request for the change of the name of the obligor/consumer) – view here
- Purchase contract
- Handover record with the latest meter readings
They must switch the account within 10 days after the submission of your request.
Gas
If you use gas, you can report a change of ownership to Plinara via email opskrba@gpz-opskrba.hr.
The following documentation is required:
- Application form called Zahtjev za promjenom matičnih podataka na računu (Request for change of personal data on the account) – view here
- Purchase contract
- Handover record with the latest meter readings
Plinara will update the data and switch the account within 15 days.
Heating
If you use heating provided by the HEP electric utility provider, you must deliver the request for switching the account to HEP Toplinarstvo within 8 days. Deliver the documentation to toplinarstvo@hep.hr or in person to their address:
HEP Toplinarstvo
Miševečka 15a, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
The following documentation is required:
- Application form called Zahtjev za promjenom krajnjeg kupca toplinske energije (Request for change of data in the register records of end buyers of heat energy) – view here
- Copy of your ID card
- Purchase contract
- Handover record with the latest meter readings
What if I am a renter of Croatian property?
If you live as a tenant in a rented apartment in Croatia, you don’t have to switch the utilities to your name.
[Read: How to find an apartment to rent]
When renting an apartment, the utilities (electricity, gas, water, garbage) must stay in the owner’s name. You only have to pay the bills once they arrive at the address.
The bills will usually arrive at the address of the rented apartment where you live. In this case, you can take the bills and pay them, even if not in your own name.
[Read: How to pay bills in Croatia]
Sometimes the utility costs are included in the price of the apartment. In this case, the bills will most likely arrive at the owner’s address. They will be in charge of paying the bills. You only have to pay them the negotiated cost for utilities.
Regardless, it is common to set up an account for the internet and television in your own name. If you move to another apartment, you can move your internet service to a newly rented apartment and continue with the use or close the account.
[Read: HRT (HTV): Croatian public television and their TV channels]
View our other property articles
- 8 things to know about buying Croatian property
- 11 things to know about getting a mortgage in Croatia
- All costs when buying real estate in Croatia
- How to buy residential real estate in Croatia
- How to find property ownership records in Croatia
- How to get a mortgage loan in Croatia
- How to get a residence permit based on property
- How to properly restore and renovate Croatia’s old stone houses
- How to rent out a house or apartment in Croatia to long-term tenants
- Prebivalište and boravište: two addresses that must be registered with the police
- Residential property prices in Croatia’s biggest cities
Sources:
Promjena imena korisnika vodoopskrbnog priključka by VIK Split
Promjena vlasništva by HEP
Obrasci zahtjeva vezani uz postojeća mjerna mjesta by HEP
Upravni odjel za komunalne poslove Split
Kako prebaciti režije online bez komplikacija by Zagreb Max nekretnine
Kupili ste stan i prebacili biste režije na sebe by Dora Koretić
Zahtjev za promjenom korisnika vodnih usluga by VIK Rijeka
Uputa za promjenu korisnika usluge opskrbe plinom by energo
Na koji način se obavlja promjena krajnjeg kupca toplinske energije by HEP Toplinarstvo
Promjene na strani krajnjeg kupca by HEP Plin
Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.
