Regulated tariff or market offer? France electricity guide 2026

Key facts at a glance

• The regulated electricity tariff (TRV, also called "Tarif Bleu") still exists in 2026. Its price is set by the French government based on proposals from the CRE (Commission de Régulation de l'Énergie).
• The regulated gas tariff ended permanently on 30 June 2023. If someone claims you can still get a regulated gas tariff, that information is incorrect.
• The electricity TRV is offered exclusively by EDF and some local distribution companies (ELD). No alternative supplier can offer it.
• If you have switched to a market offer, you can return to the electricity TRV at any time — free of charge, no waiting period.
• As of February 2026, the TRV Base option (6 kVA) is approximately 0.1940 €/kWh TTC (all taxes included).

What is the regulated tariff?

In France, the regulated electricity tariff — formally the tarif réglementé de vente (TRV) and commercially known as the Tarif Bleu — is the only electricity rate set directly by the government. The CRE proposes a price twice a year; the relevant ministry then issues a decree.

Around 20 million French households remain on the TRV in 2026. It is available to residential customers and small businesses. Large industrial sites operate under separate arrangements.

How the TRV is structured

Your bill under the TRV has two parts: a fixed monthly subscription and a per-kWh price that varies by your chosen option. Three main options exist:

• **Base**: One kWh price at all times of day
• **Heures Creuses / Heures Pleines (HC/HP)**: Lower rate at night (typically 22:00–06:00), higher rate during the day
• **Tempo**: Six price levels based on day colour (red, white, blue) — designed for those who actively shift consumption

As of February 2026, the Base option at 6 kVA costs approximately **0.1940 € TTC/kWh**, with an annual subscription of around **151.20 € TTC** (source: CRE, January 2026 decree).

The price shield (bouclier tarifaire)

Since the 2022 energy crisis, the French government has capped TRV increases through a price shield mechanism. This remains in place in 2026. Being on the TRV automatically gives you this protection — no separate application needed.

If you are on a market offer, the shield does not apply directly. Your contract terms determine your exposure to price changes.

What happened to gas? The end of the regulated tariff

This point causes a lot of confusion, so it's worth being explicit.

The regulated gas tariff ended on 30 June 2023. This was the result of years of legal proceedings: the Conseil d'État (France's highest administrative court) ruled that the gas TRV was incompatible with European energy market liberalisation directives, and it was phased out from 2020 onwards. Engie's historic blue tariff is gone.

What exists now for gas is a CRE "prix repère" (reference price). This is not a regulated price — it's a benchmark that lets you compare what you're paying against a market average. All gas customers now need to choose from market offers. You can check the current prix repère on energie-info.fr.

Market offers: what they look like

Since the energy market opened to residential customers in 2007, alternative suppliers (Engie, TotalEnergies, ekWateur and others) have offered market-rate contracts. Their prices are set freely.

Fixed-price contracts

The kWh price is locked for 1 to 3 years. This gives budget predictability. The risk: if the TRV drops significantly, you may end up paying more than on the regulated tariff.

TRV-indexed contracts

The price tracks TRV movements, with a guaranteed percentage discount — for example, "-10% on the kWh price excluding taxes compared to TRV". Before signing, check whether the discount applies to the price excluding taxes (HT) or including taxes (TTC). The difference matters.

Variable (spot) contracts

The price follows wholesale market conditions and can change day to day. During low-price periods in 2024–2025 this was attractive; during energy crunches it can spike. Only worth considering if you actively monitor energy markets.

Green offers

These contracts guarantee that renewable-origin electricity equivalent to your consumption is fed into the grid, via the Garanties d'Origine mechanism. The ADEME VertVolt label and CRE-certified guarantees of origin are reliable reference points. See our guide on green electricity and greenwashing for more detail.

How to choose

There is no universal answer to "which is better." Here are practical decision points:

**The TRV makes sense if:**

• You want predictability without having to track market movements
• You want the price shield protection guaranteed
• You'd rather not compare contract terms across suppliers

**A market offer is worth exploring if:**

• You want a fixed price locked for 1–3 years (no biannual revision surprises)
• You specifically want a certified green electricity contract
• A meaningful discount over TRV is on offer — and you've read the full terms

When assessing a supplier's service quality, the Médiateur national de l'énergie (National Energy Mediator) publishes an annual report ranking suppliers by consumer complaints. This gives you an independent quality signal before signing.

Comparison table

Switching and returning to the TRV

Switching electricity suppliers in France is free and comes with no power interruption. Your new supplier handles the termination paperwork with the old one.

If you are with an alternative supplier and want to return to the TRV, contact EDF on 09 69 32 15 15 or apply online. The switch takes 5 working days. This right is guaranteed by Article L. 441-14 of the Code de l'énergie — there are no exit fees.

For gas, the TRV no longer exists, so there is no "return" option. All gas customers must choose from available market offers.

Where to get help

If you have a dispute with your electricity or gas supplier in France:

• **Médiateur national de l'énergie** (National Energy Mediator): energie-mediateur.fr — free, independent mediation service
• **CRE** (Commission de Régulation de l'Énergie): cre.fr — tariff data and sector reports
• **energie-info.fr**: CRE's consumer information portal — contract information, rights guide
• **DGCCRF**: For unfair commercial practices or misleading contract terms

Frequently asked questions

What is the regulated electricity tariff in France?

The TRV (tarif réglementé de vente) is France's regulated electricity tariff, commercially known as the Tarif Bleu from EDF. Its price is set by government decree, based on CRE's recommendations. It's the only electricity rate directly controlled by the state.

Does the regulated electricity tariff still exist in 2026?

Yes. The electricity TRV remains in place in 2026, maintained by the 2019 Énergie-Climat law. As of February 2026, the Base option at 6 kVA costs approximately 0.1940 € TTC/kWh.

Was the gas regulated tariff abolished?

Yes. The regulated gas tariff (TRV gaz) ended permanently on 30 June 2023, following Conseil d'État rulings and European liberalisation directives. All gas customers now need to use market offers. The CRE publishes a "prix repère" reference price for comparison.

Can I return to the regulated tariff after switching to a market offer?

For electricity: yes, freely and for free. Contact EDF — the switch takes 5 working days with no power interruption. For gas: no, the gas TRV no longer exists.

How often does the TRV price change?

The electricity TRV is typically updated on 1 February and 1 August each year. The CRE publishes its proposal weeks in advance. For current figures, check energie-info.fr.

Does the price shield apply to market offers?

No, not directly. The price shield limits TRV increases. If you are on a market offer, your contract terms determine your exposure. The shield protection applies automatically if you are on the TRV.

**Also read:** Understanding your electricity bill | How to change electricity supplier | Electricity prices in France 2026 | Green electricity and greenwashing

Information in this article is for guidance only and does not constitute personal advice. Electricity tariff rates are updated by CRE decree. For the latest data: [energie-info.fr](https://www.energie-info.fr) or [cre.fr](https://www.cre.fr). Sources: CRE (January 2026 decree), Médiateur national de l'énergie, DGCCRF.