A prepay meter lets you pay for energy before you use it, which suits some households and causes trouble for others. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) sets rules for these meters, and its 12 October 2026 winter announcement changed several of them. This guide covers how they work and what is different this winter.
How a prepay meter works
With a prepay or Pay As You Go (PAYG) meter you pay first and use afterwards. You can top up online, in certain shops, or by text. You don’t receive regular bills; your supplier sends a PAYG statement, typically a couple of times a year depending on the supplier. A credit meter, by contrast, is read or estimated and you usually get a bill every two months for the previous two months.
The CRU lists the main benefit as budgeting: you pay upfront and avoid large, unexpected bills. The downside is that some prepay meters may carry extra charges, so review them before switching, and compare tariffs if you are considering a move (see our guide to switching supplier).
Two types of PAYG meter
The CRU distinguishes two kinds:
| Type | Who owns it | Who it is for | Meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial hardship | Network companies | Customers in financial difficulty | One meter of record |
| Lifestyle choice | Suppliers | Customers who prefer prepay | Two meters: the network meter (generally outside) and one inside |
For lifestyle choice meters, the network meter is used to calculate your usage in a dispute, and suppliers must identify and highlight any differences between the two meters early. If your supplier suggests a prepay meter because you are behind on payments, read our guide to struggling to pay your energy bill first, because a payment plan may suit you better.
When a prepay meter is not suitable
The CRU says PAYG is not suitable for customers who are medically vulnerable or who may have difficulty topping up. The reason is practical: if you can’t keep the meter topped up, it may disconnect. If that describes you or someone in your home, tell your supplier and ask about the vulnerable customer register.
What the winter 2026/27 measures change
On 12 October 2026 the CRU announced measures it says come into immediate effect. The ones that touch prepay customers are:
- Emergency credit of €20 on prepayment meters, up from €10.
- Up to 15% of a prepayment top-up can go toward recovering legacy debt for the coming winter.
- The €200 charge for moving from a gas PAYG meter to a credit meter remains suspended.
- Suppliers must tell prepayment customers in debt about alternative payment options.
- Customers with financial hardship meters must be placed on their lowest-cost tariff.
Moving off a prepay meter
The CRU’s prepay page does not set out the process for moving off a PAYG meter, so ask your supplier. The suspension of the €200 charge for gas PAYG customers moving to a credit meter is the one relevant change the CRU lists for this winter. If your meter is a smart meter, our smart meter explainer covers what you can see and choose.
Before you decide
Prepay can help with budgeting, but it removes the buffer a bill gives you. Write down what you pay in a typical winter month, check your standing charges (see standing charges explained) and keep an eye on the credit. This article is general information, not personal financial advice. For your own situation, speak to your supplier or MABS.