Last updated: 28 May 2026

Moving Energy in France 2026: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide

Moving home in France means three separate energy tasks: terminate the old contract, subscribe a new one and, if needed, request a meter activation (mise en service). Termination is free, switching causes no outage, and a Linky smart meter can be reactivated remotely for just EUR 1.78. Here is the timing that works.

The essentials

  • Termination is free, with no notice period under the French Energy Code — tell your supplier at least 15 days before the move.
  • Subscribe at the new address at least 5 business days ahead for a classic meter (2 days suffice for a Linky already in service).
  • Take dated photos of meter readings on moving day — it is your only legal proof of consumption.
  • 2026 CRE tariffs: Linky remote EUR 1.78, standard electricity EUR 32.40, standard gas EUR 22.34.
  • Remote or door-to-door subscription: you have a 14-day legal cooling-off period (Consumer Code).

Official sources used in this guide

Enedis|GRDF|CRE|service-public.fr|Energy Ombudsman

How French energy contracts work when you move

In France, the energy market separates network infrastructure from supply. Enedis operates 95% of the electricity distribution network; GRDF operates the gas distribution network. They manage meters, technical interventions and outage repairs. Your supplier (EDF, Engie, TotalEnergies or an alternative provider) handles billing and customer service.

When you move, three things happen in parallel: you terminate the old contract (free, no notice), you subscribe a new contract at the new address, and your new supplier requests a mise en service (MES, activation) from Enedis or GRDF if the meter has been closed. The same network operator serves all suppliers, so activation tariffs are identical regardless of who bills you. See our energy hub for the wider context.

Timeline at a glance

  • •15 days before: notify the old supplier; identify the PDL / PCE at the new home; choose a supplier.
  • •5 days before: subscribe the new contract; book MES (Linky 24h, classic 5 working days).
  • •Moving day: photograph and record final + initial meter readings.
  • •Within 48 hours: submit readings to both suppliers via the customer area.
  • •2-4 weeks after: receive closing bill for old address, opening bill for new address.

Step 1: Terminating your current energy contract

Under the French Energy Code, terminating an energy contract for a move is free, with no notice period and no penalty, even if you were on a promotional plan. Contact your supplier at least 15 days before the move via the customer area, by phone or by registered letter.

Information to provide

Contract details

  • • Contract or customer number (on any bill)
  • • Full current address (with floor / apartment number)
  • • PDL (electricity) and / or PCE (gas) — 14 digits

Moving date and meter reading

  • • Exact moving date (last day of the contract)
  • • Final meter reading recorded on moving day
  • • Dated photograph of the meter for proof

Closing bill address

  • • New postal address for the closing bill
  • • Bank details for refund of any overpayment (RIB)

The closing bill is issued within 4 weeks of contract end. It calculates actual consumption up to the move date, prorates the subscription fee and reconciles any monthly direct-debit overpayment. Refunds are paid by bank transfer or cheque within 15 days; underpayments are billed in the same document.

Common termination mistake

Do not simply stop paying or assume the contract ends when you leave. Without explicit termination, you remain liable for all consumption until either the next occupant subscribes or you formally close the contract — weeks or months of someone else's bills.

Step 2: Setting up energy at your new home

Two scenarios determine your timing and cost. Find your PDL (electricity) and PCE (gas) before subscribing — ask the landlord or previous tenant, check the meter sticker or display, or call Enedis / GRDF with the address.

Scenario A: meter still active

Situation: previous occupant just moved out, electricity / gas still flowing.
Process: simple administrative subscription with the supplier of your choice.
Timeline: 24-48 hours.
Cost: no MES fee — only your regular subscription and consumption.

Most common case in urban rentals where the property changes hands quickly.

Scenario B: meter closed

Situation: property vacant for a while, meter switched off.
Process: subscribe a contract + your supplier requests MES from Enedis / GRDF.
Timeline: Linky remote 24h; classic standard 5 working days.
Cost: Linky EUR 1.78 / classic EUR 32.40 std / EUR 76.16 express / EUR 180.56 urgent (electricity).

Schedule the MES for the actual moving day or the day after to avoid arriving in the dark.

Documents to prepare: proof of identity (passport, ID, residence permit), French address proof (rental contract, deed), French bank details (RIB) for direct debit, and the PDL / PCE numbers. Read more on electricity suppliers and gas suppliers to choose your provider.

2026 activation fees (CRE-regulated)

The Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) sets these tariffs annually. They are identical for every supplier and collected on your first bill at the new address. Beneficiaries of the cheque energie (energy voucher) are exempt from the MES fee — show the voucher at subscription.

Electricity activation (Enedis)

  • • Linky remote: EUR 1.78 incl. VAT — no technician visit, within 24 working hours
  • • Classic meter, standard (5 working days): EUR 32.40
  • • Classic meter, express (24-48h): EUR 76.16
  • • Classic meter, urgent (24h): EUR 180.56
  • • First connection (new construction): separate tariff, around EUR 50 standard

Over 95% of French homes are now equipped with a Linky smart meter, making most activations near-instant and cheap.

Gas activation (GRDF)

  • • Standard (5 working days): EUR 22.34
  • • Express (24-48h): EUR 71.70
  • • Urgent (24h): EUR 172.00

If the gas meter was closed for safety reasons (long inactivity), GRDF may require a verification of the installation before reopening — billed separately.

Free services

  • • Contract termination (any moment, no penalty)
  • • Subscription with any supplier
  • • Switching suppliers (during a move or not)
  • • Activation when energy is already flowing

Meter readings: the only proof that counts

The meter reading is the legal document defining your consumption. Without it, the supplier estimates — often against you. On moving day, take a dated photograph of every meter (Linky: scroll with the + button to display the index in kWh; gas: read m3) and submit the readings within 48 hours via the customer area. Keep the photos: they are evidence in case of a dispute before the Energy Ombudsman.

14-day cooling-off period

Under articles L221-18 et seq. of the French Consumer Code, any contract subscribed remotely (phone, internet) or off-premises (door-to-door, fair) gives you a legal cooling-off period of 14 calendar days. No reason required, no penalty. Send the withdrawal form attached to the contract by registered letter. If you explicitly requested immediate activation, only the actual days consumed will be invoiced — not the MES fee in full.

Disputes: the Energy Ombudsman

Always start with a written complaint to your supplier's customer service (registered letter recommended). If the reply is unsatisfactory or absent within 2 months, you can refer the case for free to the Mediateur national de l'energie, an independent public authority. The submission is online, by mail or by email. The Ombudsman handles activation delays, billing errors, meter index disputes, supply quality and abusive door-to-door sales. Decisions take roughly 90 days.

Specific situations

Short-term furnished rental: some suppliers offer no-commitment contracts adapted to leases of less than a year. Check the flexibility of termination.

New construction (raccordement): a never-connected dwelling requires a full Enedis connection (and GRDF if gas), with a technical study and a quote. Lead times can reach several months; first MES is billed separately. Anticipate at least 3 months before delivery.

Old electromechanical meter: the disc-style meter requires a technician visit for MES. Standard fee EUR 32.40, but delays may exceed 5 days in rural areas. A Linky replacement is usually offered at the same time.

Propane gas in a tank: if heating is propane (individual or shared tank), there is no GRDF meter. Supply is governed by a contract with the tank owner (Antargaz, Primagaz, Butagaz, Vitogaz). Procedures are entirely different: tank-lease transfer, propane level reading.

Keeping the old home as secondary residence: do not terminate; lower the subscribed power (kVA) to reduce the standing charge, keep the contract active to avoid a future closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I notify my energy supplier about my move in France?
Contact your current supplier at least 15 days before your moving date. This gives them time to process termination, schedule the final meter reading and issue the closing bill within 4 weeks. For your new home, subscribe at least 5 business days in advance (or 2 days if a Linky smart meter is already in service) so activation aligns with your arrival day. The termination is free, with no notice period required under the French Energy Code.
What is a PDL number and where do I find it?
The PDL (Point de Livraison) is the 14-digit unique identifier of your electricity meter, mandatory to subscribe to any electricity contract. You can find it on any previous bill from the address, on the Linky display by scrolling through the menu with the + button, by asking the landlord or previous tenant, or by calling Enedis with the full address. For gas, the equivalent is the PCE (Point de Comptage et d'Estimation), also 14 digits, found on bills or on the GRDF meter sticker.
How much does electricity activation (mise en service) cost in 2026?
Tariffs are set by the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) and identical regardless of supplier. With a Linky smart meter: EUR 1.78 incl. VAT, remote activation typically within 24 working hours. With a classic meter: EUR 32.40 standard (5 business days), EUR 76.16 express (24-48h), EUR 180.56 urgent (24h). For gas (GRDF): EUR 22.34 standard, EUR 71.70 express, EUR 172.00 urgent. Charges appear on your first bill at the new home.
Can I keep the same energy supplier when moving in France?
Yes. You can ask your supplier to transfer the contract to your new address rather than terminating and resubscribing. Moving is also a good occasion to reassess your contract: switching suppliers is free, requires no service interruption and takes only a few minutes. You can also return to the regulated tariff (Tarif Bleu EDF) for electricity at any time. The network (Enedis / GRDF) is unchanged regardless of supplier.
What happens if I forget to terminate my old energy contract?
Your contract remains active and bills continue at the old address until either the next occupant subscribes (which automatically closes yours) or you formally terminate. You could be charged for someone else's consumption for weeks or months. Always explicitly terminate by giving your moving date and final meter reading to the supplier. This responsibility falls on you as the contract holder, not on the landlord or the next occupant.
Do I have a cooling-off period after subscribing remotely?
Yes. Under articles L221-18 et seq. of the French Consumer Code, any contract subscribed remotely (phone, internet) or off-premises (door-to-door, fair) opens a legal cooling-off period of 14 calendar days, with no reason required and no penalty. To exercise the right, send the withdrawal form attached to your contract by registered letter. If you explicitly requested immediate activation, only the actual consumption days will be invoiced.
What can I do if I have a dispute about my activation or billing?
First, file a written complaint with your supplier's customer service (registered letter recommended). If the response is unsatisfactory or absent within 2 months, you can refer the case for free to the Energy Ombudsman (Mediateur national de l'energie), an independent public authority. The submission is made on energie-mediateur.fr, by mail or email. The Ombudsman handles billing, activation delays, meter index and supply quality disputes, with a decision typically within 90 days.
Are there special challenges for international residents?
Legal residents have identical rights to French nationals when subscribing to energy contracts. The main practical challenges are language (several suppliers like EDF, TotalEnergies, Engie offer English-speaking customer service), administrative terms (PDL, PCE, MES, releve, resiliation) and documentation (French address proof, French RIB bank details, residence permit). A French bank account is generally required for direct debit; opening one should be an early priority in your move.

Related Energy Topics

Electricity Suppliers
Compare the market and the regulated tariff
Gas Suppliers
Natural gas market in France
Regulated Energy Rates
Tarif Bleu and protection
Energy Savings Tips
Reduce consumption and bills

Author: Camille Bernard, energy editor at checkeverything.fr

Last updated: 28 May 2026

Sources: Enedis | GRDF | CRE | service-public.fr | Mediateur national de l'energie

The information on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalised advice. Tariffs and procedures may evolve; verify current information on Enedis, GRDF and the CRE official websites. In case of a dispute, you can refer the case for free to the French Energy Ombudsman.