American Moves to Europe, Manages To Rack Up $8600 Electric Bill—'Clueless'

A U.S. expat living in Portugal has shared how she was left reeling after receiving an electricity bill totaling €8,000 ($8,600).

Katie Mateus, 40, who lived in Cascais when the incident occurred, shared her story on social media, warning others about the potential pitfalls of energy use in Portugal.

In a viral post on Instagram, she described how in 2017 she unknowingly racked up a massive bill due to unfamiliarity with the country’s electricity system and her American-style energy habits.

“Storytime: How I Accidentally Racked Up an €8,000 Electric Bill My First Year in Portugal,” Mateus captioned her video. “So, picture this: I move to Portugal, excited and clueless, and continue living like I did in the U.S.—clothes dryer running 24/7, long hot baths, heaters all winter, no second thoughts.”

Mateus explained that her apartment was highly inefficient, with thin windows, poor insulation, and multiple electric boilers. “The bill seemed unfair, considering the circumstances. The house was large, old, lacked insulation, had outdated windows, multiple boilers, and relied entirely on electric heating,” Mateus told Newsweek.

Unaware of the country’s practice of estimating monthly electricity usage rather than checking meters regularly, she paid what she believed to be reasonable bills of around €150 ($161) per month. “I used electric heaters and the dryer similarly to how I would have in the U.S., unaware of the higher electricity costs and different systems in Europe. However, even accounting for these factors, the consumption indicated was extraordinarily high—far exceeding typical household usage,” she explained.

However, after nearly a year of estimated billing, the utility company finally checked the meter and issued a shocking recalculated bill.

“Fast forward many months, and they finally check the meter. And that’s when I got slapped with the real bill—€8,000. EIGHT. THOUSAND. EUROS. I nearly passed out,” Mateus said in the video caption on Instagram.

Mateus disputed the charge, arguing that the excessive amount may have been due to a faulty meter, delayed billing, and even improper division of electricity costs among the building’s flats. She also pointed out that under Portuguese law, utility companies must claim payment within six months of service or risk expiration of the debt.

Reflecting on the experience, Mateus said: “Due to the different billing system in Portugal, where estimated bills are common and customers are expected to submit meter readings, I was unaware of this process. After approximately nine months without submitting readings, I received a substantial bill, which left me shocked and panicked. Since then the meter readings have become automated.”

Looking back on the bill, Mateus puts it down to a combination of her use and the house’s poor insulation. “The house was large, old, lacked insulation, had outdated windows, multiple boilers, and relied entirely on electric heating,” she said. “I used electric heaters and the dryer similarly to how I would have in the U.S., unaware of the higher electricity costs and different systems in Europe. However, even accounting for these factors, the consumption indicated was extraordinarily high—far exceeding typical household usage.”

Her story sparked a mix of reactions online, with some sympathizing with her experience and others criticizing her initial energy use.

“Well you are right, there’s still a lot of buildings like that in Portugal and that’s actually an useful tip and great sharing of your experience,” said dream.daniel on Instagram.

Jessica_a wrote: “Yup, electricity is no joke. The reason we used thirty thousand blankets. Lessons learned!”

Others were more unkind, one commenter said: “I don’t get it why you think it should be cheap for you. And coming to another country, without checking basics like this, is so ignorant that it can only be American.”

“I shared my experience to caution others, especially Americans, about the importance of researching and understanding local utilities before renting. The reaction was mixed; while some appreciated the warning, others were critical. Overall, I believe it sparked a valuable conversation about adapting to new environments,” Mateus said.

Thankfully, almost a decade later, with Portugal’s now-automated electricity meters, the bills have become much more manageable. But Mateus hopes that her cautionary tale will help others thinking of making an international move.