Here's some helpful guidance about the where, how, what and when of paying your utility bills.
5 August 2014
| Last updated on 4 July 2017Electricity and Water
Utilities in Kuwait are run by the Ministry of Electricity and Water Supply, and the system is reasonably easy to understand. You should receive just one bill that covers both your water and electricity supplies as it is very unusual to receive separate bills.
If you are new to Kuwait, your property may already be connected, and if your employee is sponsoring you, they have already made prior arrangements for your accomodation to be connected in advance. As an expat, you may have to pay a deposit for the connection of utilities to your home, although it may be your employer that picks that bill up while helping to arrange your home.
The quality of tap water is generally considered as very good, although most people will still take to drinking bottled water. This is recommended if you still have not become accustomed to the local water provided. There are few people living in Kuwait who do not have access to good quality water, and the service is reliable. However take caution - your water may be stopped at frequent intervals if your usage is too high, and the only way to fix this problem is to call out a water truck... Which will cost you, inevitably.
Kuwait's electricity supply is 220-240 volts and generally uses a three pin plug. If you require an adapter, these are widely available and can be bought in local shops.
You can find more information if needed and pay your bill online through the Ministry of Electricity and Water Supply's website, here. It's relatively simple to follow. You may also use the Kuwait Government Online site, here.
Gas
Some homes in Kuwait do have gas appliances. In apartment buildings, it's normal to have a communal tank, in which case the cost of gas is normally included in your rent. However, if your home does not have a gas tank, you can buy gas bottles to run the appliances from, which can potentially be costly. Find out more information about gas, here.
Air Conditioning
Bills are often quite low in Kuwait, as the extreme heat in the country means that any heating is unnecessary. But you will have air conditioning, which can be costly depending on how frequently you use it. Sometimes the cost of AC is included in your rent, so therefore it may keep your electricity bills down. If not, your AC bills can be paid directly at one of the Ministry's offices, directly to the supplier or through your bank.
Here is a list of suppliers that may come in handy: