How to Change Electricity Supplier in…

Changing electricity supplier in France: what actually happens

Most people assume switching energy supplier involves paperwork, phone calls, and a few days without electricity. None of that is true in France. The process is 100% online, entirely free, and your lights stay on throughout. Enedis — the national grid operator — runs the physical network independently of whichever supplier you choose. Your meter does not change. Your wiring does not change. Your supply does not stop.

What does change is who sends you a bill.

Since the French electricity market opened to households in 2007 (Code de l'énergie, article L331-1), any residential consumer can freely choose their supplier and switch as many times as they like. There are no penalties, no minimum lock-in periods (unless a specific contract specifies otherwise), and no fees of any kind.

According to energie-info.fr — the public information site run by the Médiateur national de l'énergie — the full switch typically completes within 21 calendar days from the date you sign with your new supplier.

What you need before you start

You only need three things:

**Your PDL number.** This is a 14-digit reference printed on every electricity bill, usually near your name and address. PDL stands for Point De Livraison — it uniquely identifies your meter point on the Enedis network. Without it, no supplier can register your new contract.

**Your most recent index reading.** This is the kWh figure shown on your meter or on your last bill. Your new supplier will use it to open your account and your old supplier will use it to close yours. In practice, Enedis handles the index exchange automatically — you usually don't need to submit it yourself, but having it available saves time.

**A bank account (IBAN).** Most suppliers require a direct debit mandate (SEPA prélèvement automatique) to sign up online.

If you have a Linky smart meter — which Enedis has installed in more than 95% of French homes as of 2026 — the index is read remotely. You don't need to do anything at the meter itself.

The 5 steps of a supplier switch in 2026

1. Choose an offer

Before signing anything, spend ten minutes comparing the main types of offers available. The key distinction is not which company you pick, but which type of contract suits your consumption pattern.

**Regulated tariff (TRVE/TRV):** This is the reference rate set every six months by the French government based on a CRE (Commission de Régulation de l'Énergie) proposal. It is only sold by EDF and some local distribution companies. If you want it, you go directly to EDF. There is nothing to compare.

**Market offers — indexed to the TRV:** The kWh price tracks the regulated tariff with a fixed percentage discount (for example, 5% below TRV). Good if you believe TRV will stay stable or fall.

**Market offers — fixed price:** The kWh price is locked for a defined period (typically 1–3 years). Your bill becomes predictable; you are protected if wholesale prices rise, but you don't benefit if they fall.

**Green offers:** A portion or all of the electricity is backed by certificates of origin (garanties d'origine) from renewable sources. Prices are generally comparable to standard offers. The ADEME VertVolt label identifies offers where the supplier has made verifiable commitments to additional renewable capacity — not just bought certificates.

**What NOT to compare:** Savings claims in euros. Any figure like "save €200/year" depends on assumptions about your consumption and future TRV levels that no supplier can guarantee. Ignore them. Focus on the per-kWh price, the subscription fee, and the contract terms.

The official tool for exploring offers is energie-info.fr, run by the Médiateur national de l'énergie. It is free, independent, and does not earn commissions.

2. Sign with your new supplier

Once you have chosen an offer, you subscribe online. The form typically takes 10–15 minutes. You will enter your PDL number, your personal details, and your IBAN.

You also choose a start date. Most people choose "as soon as possible," which means the switch will complete within 21 days of your subscription.

3. The new supplier handles everything else

After you click "confirm," your new supplier contacts Enedis directly. Enedis validates the transfer, records the index on the switch date, and closes the exchange between the two suppliers behind the scenes. You don't contact your old supplier. You don't send a termination letter. You don't speak to anyone.

Your old supplier will send you a final settlement bill (facture de solde) within four weeks of the switch date. If you have a credit balance (e.g., you overpaid on estimated bills), they refund it.

4. Your 14-day right of withdrawal

Under the Code de la consommation (article L221-18), any contract signed at a distance — including online supplier subscriptions — gives you a 14-day right of withdrawal (droit de rétractation). You can cancel the new contract within 14 days of signing with no explanation and no penalty.

If the switch has already happened before the 14 days are up, you can still withdraw, but you will be billed for the energy consumed during the brief period you were on the new contract.

This right applies to market offers. The regulated tariff (TRV) does not involve a distance contract in the same way.

5. Your first bill from the new supplier

Your first bill typically arrives 1–2 months after the start date. It will show consumption from your switch date and will use the index Enedis recorded at switchover.

What to look for when evaluating an offer

Subscription fee vs. kWh price

The total cost of electricity has two components: a fixed monthly subscription (abonnement) and a variable kWh price. Offers with very low kWh prices sometimes compensate with high subscription fees. Always calculate your total annual cost using your actual consumption.

A rough calculation: annual cost = (subscription fee × 12) + (annual kWh consumption × per-kWh price).

Fixed vs. indexed

If you prioritise predictability — particularly if you heat your home with electricity — a fixed-price contract removes the risk of bill shocks when the TRV rises. If you think TRV will fall (it did in 2024 and 2025), an indexed offer lets you benefit from that.

Neither type is inherently better. It depends on how risk-tolerant you are and how closely you want to follow energy price news.

Standard vs. green

Green offers are worth considering if the environmental origin of your electricity matters to you. Check whether the supplier holds VertVolt certification from ADEME — this means their green claims have been independently assessed. Certificates of origin alone (which any supplier can buy) are a weaker commitment.

Customer service

This is harder to evaluate before signing, but the Médiateur national de l'énergie publishes an annual ranking of suppliers by complaint volume relative to customer base. It is available at energie-info.fr. High complaint rates are a warning sign.

What has no impact on your decision

**Linky meter:** Whether you have a Linky smart meter or an older electromechanical meter has zero bearing on your ability to switch supplier. All meters are compatible with all suppliers. Linky does make the switchover smoother (automatic remote index reading), but it is not a requirement.

**Your current contract type:** Whether you are on Base, Heures Pleines/Heures Creuses, Tempo, or EJP, you can switch supplier. The tariff options available in your new contract may differ, but the switch itself is unrestricted.

**Your tenancy status:** Tenants can switch supplier exactly as homeowners can. The electricity contract is in the name of the occupant, not the landlord. You don't need permission from anyone to switch.

**Outstanding bills with your current supplier:** Even if you have unpaid bills with your old supplier, you can still switch. The debt stays with the old supplier; it does not transfer or block the switch. You still owe the money, but it does not prevent the change.

If something goes wrong: the Médiateur national de l'énergie

Supplier switches usually go smoothly. Occasionally there are billing errors, delays, or disputes about final settlement amounts. If you cannot resolve a problem directly with your supplier after a written complaint (réclamation écrite), you can refer your case to the Médiateur national de l'énergie.

The Médiateur is a free, independent public body that mediates disputes between consumers and energy suppliers. Referral is available to any household consumer after one prior written complaint to the supplier that went unresolved or received an unsatisfactory response after two months.

Contact and more details at energie-info.fr.

Common questions

**Does my electricity ever get cut during the switch?**

No. Enedis manages the distribution network independently of the supplier. Your meter does not move. Your supply continues without interruption.

**Can I switch if I'm renting?**

Yes. The electricity contract is your contract as the occupant. You don't need the landlord's consent.

**Is there a cancellation fee with my current supplier?**

No. French law guarantees the right to switch at any time without fees, regardless of how long you have been with your current supplier (Code de l'énergie, article L224-6).

**How do I find my PDL number?**

It's on your electricity bill, usually close to your name and address. It's 14 digits long. If you can't find it, your current supplier's customer area will show it.

**Can I go back to the regulated tariff (EDF) after switching?**

Yes, at any time, free of charge. Subscribe to EDF's TRV offer via EDF's website — the switch follows the same 21-day process.

**What happens to my final bill from the old supplier?**

Your old supplier sends a settlement bill within four weeks. If you paid by monthly direct debit and the actual consumption was lower than estimated, they refund the difference.

**My supplier raised prices mid-contract. Can I leave?**

If your contract includes a "price modification clause" (clause de modification de prix) and the price goes up, French law gives you the right to terminate without penalty within 30 days of notification (Code de la consommation, article L224-30).

**I'm in the process of moving. Can I switch at the same time?**

Yes. Moving and switching supplier can be done simultaneously. See our guide on energy steps when moving in France.

Sources cited

Code de l'énergie, article L331-1 — freedom to choose electricity supplier
Code de l'énergie, article L224-6 — right to switch without fees
Code de la consommation, article L221-18 — 14-day right of withdrawal for distance contracts
Code de la consommation, article L224-30 — right to terminate after price change notification
Médiateur national de l'énergie / energie-info.fr — official public information tool on offers and supplier switches
CRE (Commission de Régulation de l'Énergie) — regulated tariff governance and TURPE
ADEME VertVolt label — green electricity quality certification

The information in this article reflects regulations and market conditions as of May 2026. Energy rules and tariffs change regularly. For current offers, use the independent tool at energie-info.fr. This article does not constitute personalised advice.

How to Change Electricity Supplier in France (2026)