1. The end of the regulated gas tariff (July 2023)
The regulated gas sales tariff (TRVG), set by French public authorities and marketed exclusively by Engie (formerly GDF Suez), was abolished on June 30, 2023 for all residential customers. The suppression results from the Energy-Climate Law of November 8, 2019 and a 2019 Constitutional Council decision that confirmed the incompatibility of the regulated gas tariff with European competition law.
Since July 1, 2023, all gas suppliers operate exclusively under market-based contracts, with prices set freely by each player. Engie customers who had not chosen an alternative offer were automatically transferred to Engie's transitional "Passerelle" offer, indexed on the monthly CRE reference price.
What this means in practice
- No more single tariff: each supplier sets its own kWh price and subscription fee.
- The CRE publishes a monthly indicative reference price to help comparison.
- No interruption or mandatory action: TRV customers migrated automatically.
- The market remains fully open: switching is free, with no commitment, at any time.
This reform follows the earlier suppression of regulated tariffs for professionals (gas: 2014, electricity: 2015). For the equivalent picture on electricity, see our guide to the regulated electricity tariff which remains in force on the electricity side.
2. Top 10 gas providers in France
About twenty residential gas suppliers operate in France according to the CRE. Engie remains the historical leader with around 70% market share, but alternative providers often offer more competitive prices or stronger environmental commitments.
Engie
Historical~70% market share
Gaz Adapt (4-year fixed), Référence Gaz (CRE-indexed), Mon Gaz Vert (biomethane)
TotalEnergies
AlternativeSecond-largest player
Standard Gas, Verte Fixe Gaz, Pulse Gaz (indexed)
EDF
Alternative (gas)Dual gas + electricity offers
Avantage Gaz Optimisé (indexed), dual energy bundles
Eni
AlternativeItalian energy group
Astucio Planète (indexed), Webeo Gaz (100% digital)
Vattenfall
AlternativeSwedish utility group
Eco Gaz, Eco Green (carbon-compensated)
Sowee
AlternativeEDF subsidiary
Gas offer (indexed), smart thermostat integration
Ekwateur
Green specialistB Corp certified cooperative
Biomethane gas (5-100% biogas), transparent pricing
Plüm Énergie
Green specialistSobriety-focused
Biomethane gas, responsible consumption bonus
OHM Énergie
Alternative100% online player
Classic Gas, referral programme
Wekiwi
AlternativePre-paid model
Petit Bonus Gas (chosen monthly billing)
Source: list of active suppliers published by CRE and the Médiateur de l'énergie (energie-info.fr). Offers evolve regularly, check directly on each supplier website.
3. Three types of gas offers
Since the end of the TRV, French gas offers fall into three main families. Understanding the differences helps you pick the one that matches your risk tolerance and consumption pattern.
Fixed price
kWh price locked for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years
Indexed price
Follows a reference index (often the CRE reference price), updated monthly
Green (biogas)
Biomethane injected in the grid or carbon-compensated gas with guarantee of origin
4. CRE reference price explained
To replace the abolished TRV, the French Energy Regulatory Commission publishes a monthly reference price for natural gas (prix repère). This price reflects the estimated average cost an efficient supplier faces to supply residential customers. It aggregates wholesale gas market prices, distribution and storage costs, taxes and a reasonable commercial margin.
CRE reference price June 2026 (GRDF zone)
| Usage | Annual subscription (incl. VAT) | Price per kWh (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking / hot water | EUR 147.24 | EUR 0.14852 |
| Heating | EUR 343.90 | EUR 0.11789 |
Average reference price across all usages: EUR 152.86/MWh including VAT on June 1, 2026 (down 4.8% vs May 2026). Source: CRE monthly publication on cre.fr.
Indicative only, not binding
The CRE explicitly states that the reference price has an indicative character: suppliers are not required to follow it. It serves as a benchmark to identify competitive or, conversely, notably expensive offers. Many indexed offers are aligned on this reference price, sometimes with a discount (e.g. "reference price minus 5%").
5. Gas bill composition
Your French gas bill breaks down into four main components. Only the first varies between suppliers: network distribution, taxes and VAT are identical for everyone.
| Component | Who sets it | Approx. share | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy price (kWh) | Supplier (free) | ~45% | Reflects wholesale procurement costs plus commercial margin |
| Distribution (GRDF ATRD) | GRDF (CRE-regulated) | ~30% | Identical across all suppliers, set by the network usage tariff |
| Taxes (TICGN, CTA) | French State | ~15% | TICGN at EUR 16.37/MWh in 2026 plus Tariff Contribution |
| VAT | French State | ~10% | VAT 5.5% on subscription, VAT 20% on consumption |
VAT follows two rates: 5.5% on the subscription (reduced energy rate) and 20% on consumption. TICGN (Domestic Tax on Natural Gas Consumption) is set by the French government in the annual Finance Law.
6. Annual costs by consumption profile
Your annual gas bill depends on your usage profile: cooking only, hot water, heating or a combination. Here is an indicative 2026 estimate based on the June 2026 CRE reference price.
| Profile | Annual consumption | Housing type | Annual cost (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking only | ~1,000 kWh/year | Apartment with gas cooking only | EUR 180-250 |
| Cooking + hot water | 4,000-6,000 kWh/year | Small apartment, gas hot water | EUR 650-900 |
| Apartment heating | 12,000-15,000 kWh/year | Apartment 50-80 sqm with gas heating | EUR 1,350-1,700 |
| Medium house heating | 20,000-25,000 kWh/year | House 80-120 sqm with gas heating | EUR 2,100-2,700 |
| Large house | 25,000-35,000 kWh/year | House 120-150 sqm, poorly insulated | EUR 2,700-3,700 |
Estimates based on the June 2026 CRE reference price in GRDF zone. Amounts vary depending on your pricing zone (1 to 6), consumption class (B0, B1, B2I) and the offer you subscribe to. To reduce costs, see our guide to reducing energy consumption.
7. Special considerations for expats
Expats moving to France often default to Engie because the brand is familiar, but that rarely produces the best price. Here are the points that matter most when setting up gas service as a newcomer.
Activating service in a new home
Contact a supplier of your choice at least 5 to 10 working days before move-in. If the previous tenant closed the contract, GRDF must reopen the meter, which can involve a technician visit (around EUR 20-150 depending on the situation). If the meter is still active, the new supplier simply transfers the contract to your name.
Documents to prepare
- Proof of identity (passport, residence permit or national ID).
- Proof of address at the new property (lease, signed sales agreement).
- Bank details (RIB) for SEPA direct debit (most common payment method).
- The previous occupant's meter reading if available (reduces dispute risk).
English-speaking customer service
Engie, TotalEnergies and EDF maintain dedicated English-speaking lines for non-French speakers, though waiting times can be longer. Most online suppliers (Eni, Ekwateur, OHM Énergie) handle account setup in French only; consider asking a French-speaking friend or using browser translation if you choose one of these.
Moving tip: For all your French administrative setup, see our completemoving to France guide covering banking, insurance, internet and utilities.
8. How to switch step by step
Switching gas providers in France is free, requires no interruption and involves no technical intervention. GRDF runs the network for all suppliers, so your supply and meter remain strictly identical.
1. Gather your PCE number and annual consumption
On your latest bill: PCE number (14 digits), annual consumption in kWh, consumption class (B0, B1, B2I), GRDF pricing zone.
2. Compare the CRE reference price with available offers
Check the monthly CRE reference price on cre.fr and use the Médiateur de l'énergie comparator at energie-info.fr.
3. Pick the offer type matching your profile
Fixed price for budget stability, indexed price to capture market drops, biogas for environmental commitment.
4. Sign up online with the new supplier
Registration takes 5 to 10 minutes. The new supplier handles cancelling your old contract.
5. Track the GRDF transition
The switch takes effect within 21 days maximum. You receive a closing bill from the old supplier. No interruption, no meter change.
Related: The same method applies to electricity. See ourhow to switch electricity provider guide for the parallel procedure.
9. Biogas and green offers
Biogas (biométhane) is produced from organic matter: agricultural waste, household biowaste, wastewater treatment sludge. Once purified, it is injected directly into the GRDF grid and shares identical characteristics with fossil natural gas.
How the biogas guarantee of origin works
Each MWh of biomethane injected into the grid generates a guarantee of origin certified by the French National Biomethane Registry. Suppliers selling "green gas" must justify the purchase of an equivalent volume of guarantees of origin, ensuring traceable support for the French biomethane sector.
Main green gas offers
- Engie - Mon Gaz Vert: biomethane injected in the French grid with guarantee of origin.
- Ekwateur - Biomethane gas: choose your biogas percentage (5% to 100%), B Corp cooperative.
- TotalEnergies - Verte Fixe Gaz: biomethane guarantee of origin.
- Vattenfall - Eco Green: carbon-compensated gas via certified projects.
These offers typically cost 5 to 15% more than conventional offers. For a complete approach to renewable energy, see our green electricity guide or the heat pump guide to reduce reliance on fossil gas altogether.
10. Consumer rights and dispute resolution
French gas customers have strong consumer protections under the Code de la consommation. Understanding them helps you resolve issues quickly and access financial support if needed.
Médiateur national de l'énergie
The Médiateur national de l'énergie is an independent public authority. You can refer disputes free of charge after a written complaint to your supplier has remained unresolved for at least two months.
- Free phone line: 0 800 112 212 (Mon-Fri 8:30-18:00)
- Online filing: sollen.fr
- Consumer information: energie-info.fr
Chèque énergie (energy voucher) 2026
The chèque énergie is a means-tested financial aid for low-income households, allocated based on the fiscal reference income and household composition. In 2026 the amount ranges from EUR 48 to EUR 277 per year. It can be used to pay gas, electricity, fuel or wood bills. Eligible recipients receive it automatically by mail without any application. See our energy voucher guide for full details.
Your essential rights
- No commitment period: all residential gas contracts are cancellable at any time without fees or notice.
- 14-day cooling-off period: after distance or off-premises subscription (unless you ask for immediate execution).
- Mandatory pre-contractual information: descriptive sheets and general terms must be provided before signing.
- Winter truce (trêve hivernale): no disconnection between November 1 and March 31 for non-payment.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Does the regulated gas tariff still exist in France in 2026?
No. The regulated gas tariff (TRVG) ended on June 30, 2023, for residential customers under the Energy-Climate Law of 2019. Since July 1, 2023, all suppliers offer only market-based contracts. Engie customers who had not chosen a new plan were automatically moved to the Engie "Passerelle" transitional offer indexed on the CRE reference price.
What is the CRE reference price for gas?
The reference price (prix repère) for natural gas is published monthly by the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) since July 2023. It is purely indicative and not binding on suppliers. For June 2026, the average reference price stands at EUR 152.86/MWh including VAT, down 4.8% compared to May 2026.
How many gas suppliers operate in France in 2026?
About twenty residential gas suppliers operate in France in 2026 according to the CRE. Engie remains the historical leader with around 70% market share, followed by TotalEnergies, EDF (gas offers), Eni, Vattenfall, Sowee, Ekwateur, Plüm Énergie, OHM Énergie and Wekiwi.
How do I switch gas suppliers in France as an expat?
Switching is free and takes about 5 to 10 minutes online. You sign up with the new supplier using your PCE number (14 digits, visible on your bill) and your annual consumption in kWh. The new supplier cancels your old contract automatically. GRDF, the single nationwide distributor, manages the transition within 21 days maximum, with no interruption to your gas supply.
What is GRDF and why does it matter?
GRDF (Gaz Réseau Distribution France) is the single gas distribution operator for 95% of mainland France. It delivers gas regardless of which supplier you choose, manages your meter, handles leak responses and reads consumption. Switching suppliers never affects gas quality, safety or supply reliability.
What consumer protections do French gas customers have?
French gas customers can contact the Médiateur national de l'énergie for free dispute resolution by calling 0 800 112 212 (Mon-Fri 8:30-18:00) or via sollen.fr. Low-income households may qualify for the chèque énergie (energy voucher) of EUR 48-277 per year. There is no commitment period for residential gas contracts under the French Consumer Code.
Is biogas more expensive than regular gas in France?
Yes. Biogas (biométhane) offers typically cost 5 to 15% more than conventional gas due to higher production costs. The premium funds the French biomethane sector, which injects renewable gas directly into the GRDF grid. Biomethane carries a traceable guarantee of origin certified by the French national biomethane registry.
What are the main components of a French gas bill?
A French gas bill has four main components: the energy price set by your supplier (around 45%), the regulated distribution tariff ATRD paid to GRDF (around 30%), taxes including TICGN at EUR 16.37/MWh in 2026 (around 15%), and VAT at 5.5% on the subscription plus 20% on consumption (around 10%).
Can I cancel my gas contract at any time?
Yes. No gas supplier can impose a commitment period on residential customers in France: all contracts are cancellable at any time without fees or notice, under the French Consumer Code. When you sign up with a new supplier, that supplier handles the cancellation of your previous contract.
Do I need to set up gas service when I move to France?
Yes. When moving to a new home in France, you must contact a gas supplier of your choice before move-in to activate service. You can choose any of the ~20 active suppliers (no obligation to use the historical supplier). The activation typically takes 5 to 10 working days and may involve a GRDF technician visit if the meter is closed.
Official Sources
- CRE - Monthly natural gas reference price: cre.fr
- Service-Public - Gas market and tariffs (F14679): service-public.fr
- GRDF - National gas distribution operator: grdf.fr
- Médiateur national de l'énergie - Consumer information: energie-info.fr
- Légifrance - Energy-Climate Law of November 8, 2019: legifrance.gouv.fr
- ADEME - Biogas and biomethane: ademe.fr
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only. Prices and offers evolve monthly. This content does not constitute financial or energy advice. Always verify current rates directly with suppliers and the CRE reference price (cre.fr) before making decisions.
Last updated: May 26, 2026 by the comparatif24.fr team