Energy Bill Assistance in France 2026
Struggling to pay your electricity or gas? Discover all available assistance: energy voucher, FSL, local aid and solutions for unpaid bills.
Key Figures 2026
- • 5.8 million households receive the energy voucher
- • Voucher amount: €48 to €277 depending on income
- • 12 million French people in energy poverty
The Energy Voucher (Chèque Énergie)
The energy voucher is a government aid for low-income households to pay their energy bills (electricity, gas, heating oil, wood) or fund energy renovation work.
What it can pay for
- • Electricity bills
- • Natural gas bills
- • Heating oil, wood, LPG
- • Energy renovation work
2026 Amounts
How to get it?
Good news: The energy voucher is sent automatically! You don't have to do anything. The tax administration identifies beneficiaries and mails vouchers every spring (April).
The Winter Truce (Trêve Hivernale)
Winter Protection
From November 1 to March 31, electricity and gas disconnections for unpaid bills are prohibited, even if you have debt.
- • Electricity disconnection: PROHIBITED
- • Gas disconnection: PROHIBITED
- • Power reduction: ALLOWED (but not below 1 kVA)
Warning
The winter truce does not eliminate your debt! Use this period to regularize your situation (payment plan, aid). After March 31, disconnections can resume.
What to do if you can't pay?
- 1
Contact your supplier immediately
Ask for a payment plan. Most suppliers accept spreading the debt over several months at no cost.
- 2
Apply for FSL assistance
Your supplier can forward your file to the FSL (Housing Solidarity Fund) of your department.
- 3
Contact the Energy Mediator
In case of dispute with your supplier (abnormal bill, meter problem), the Mediator can intervene for free.
Sources
- Energy Voucher - chequeenergie.gouv.fr
- National Energy Mediator - energie-mediateur.fr