How to Change Your Electricity Provider in France 2026: Free, No Cut
Switching electricity provider in France is free and causes no supply cut, according to energie-info.fr, the information site of the Médiateur national de l'énergie. You only have to subscribe a contract with the new supplier; the old contract does not need to be cancelled. This expat guide covers the steps, the information you need, your rights under the Consumer Code and the regulated Tarif Bleu.
Key Takeaways
- No fee can be charged solely because you change supplier (Consumer Code art. L224-15).
- No supply cut: the network operator keeps delivering whichever supplier you choose (energie-info.fr).
- Required: your PDL number (14 digits, on your bill) and a changeover date.
- The regulated Tarif Bleu is available on request to eligible customers (Energy Code art. L337-7).
- Compare offers on the public comparator at energie-info.fr.
Table of Contents
1. The public comparator on energie-info.fr
energie-info.fr describes itself as the information site of the Médiateur national de l'énergie, an independent public authority, and states that it is independent of suppliers and network operators. It hosts a comparator of electricity and natural gas offers.
The energie-info.fr comparison sheet lists: the subscription and the kWh price including taxes, the type of price (regulated, fixed for one to three years, or indexed), customer service and contact options, fees such as a deposit or late-payment charges, and green offers.
Pick Base, Off-Peak / Peak Hours or Tempo based on your consumption habits.
To bundle contracts, see our comparison of gas providers in France.
2. The 4 steps to switch providers
Gather your meter number and your consumption
You need your PDL number (a 14-digit code on your electricity bill) and your annual consumption in kWh to compare offers.
Practical tips:
- Keep a recent bill at hand
- Note your subscribed power in kVA
- Pick the option you want to compare: Base, Off-Peak/Peak or Tempo
Compare offers on energie-info.fr
energie-info.fr is the information site of the Médiateur national de l’énergie and hosts a comparator of electricity and gas offers. Its comparison sheet suggests comparing the subscription and the kWh price including taxes, the type of price (regulated, fixed or indexed), customer service and contact options, possible fees and green offers.
Practical tips:
- Compare at least three offers
- Compare the total annual cost, not only the kWh price
- Read the general terms of each offer
Subscribe with the new supplier
It is enough to subscribe a contract with the new supplier: there is no need to cancel the old contract. You give your PDL number and a changeover date.
Practical tips:
- Keep the written confirmation of your subscription
- Check the start date of the new contract
Check the closing bill
The supplier must send you the closing bill within four weeks of the termination and refund any overpayment within two weeks of issuing that bill (Consumer Code, article L224-15).
Practical tips:
- Check the meter index and dates on the bill
- For a dispute, write to your supplier first, then contact the Médiateur national de l’énergie after two months
3. EDF Tarif Bleu (TRV) and the right to return
The Tarif Réglementé de Vente (TRV), sold as Tarif Bleu, is EDF's regulated offer. Its price grid applicable from 1 August 2026 lists subscribed powers up to 36 kVA. Article L337-7 of the Energy Code gives the regulated tariffs, on request, to domestic final consumers and to non-domestic consumers with fewer than ten employees and no more than 2 million euros of annual turnover or balance sheet.
Returning to the regulated tariff
Eligible customers get the regulated tariff on their request (L337-7), and energie-info.fr says you can return to the regulated tariff later, except for tariffs being phased out (it gives EJP as an example). The EDF grid applicable from 1 August 2026 also states that the Base option from 9 to 36 kVA is closed to new residential subscriptions. Ask EDF for the conditions that apply to your contract. For prices and options, see our EDF Regulated Tariff guide.
How often the TRV changes
The CRE page on regulated tariffs states that these tariffs change twice a year, in February and in August.
4. If you are new to France
When you move in, ask the previous occupant or the landlord for a recent electricity bill: it shows the 14-digit PDL number you need to subscribe (energie-info.fr).
Which other documents a supplier asks for, whether a foreign identity document or proof of address is accepted, and whether a supplier offers an English-language service are not covered by the official sources checked for this guide, so we do not list them. Ask the supplier before you subscribe and keep the answer in writing.
According to energie-info.fr, the chèque énergie is sent in April: some consumers receive it automatically and the others must request it on chequeenergie.gouv.fr. It can pay an energy bill for your home.
5. Your consumer rights
14-day Right of Withdrawal
14 days to withdraw from a contract concluded at a distance, after telephone canvassing or off-premises, without giving a reason (Consumer Code, art. L221-18).
No Fee Solely for Switching
The supplier can only bill the costs it actually incurred through the network operator, if explicitly provided for in the offer and duly justified (Consumer Code, art. L224-15).
Closing Bill and Refund
The closing bill must reach you within four weeks of termination, and any overpayment must be refunded within two weeks of that bill (art. L224-15).
Free Mediation
After a written complaint to your supplier and a two-month wait, you can refer the dispute to the Médiateur national de l'énergie free of charge. Free number: 0 800 112 212.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Comparing only the kWh price
The monthly subscription depends on subscribed power and is part of the annual bill. Compare the total annual cost, not only the unit price.
Mistake 2: Mixing tax-exclusive and tax-inclusive prices
Some prices are shown excluding tax (HT), others including all taxes (TTC). Always compare on the same basis.
Mistake 3: Signing without reading the general terms
Check the price evolution clause, the possible fees and the exact origin of any green offer before you sign.
Mistake 4: Cancelling the old contract yourself
It is not needed: energie-info.fr states that subscribing with the new supplier is enough.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Is switching electricity providers in France free?
Will I lose power when switching providers?
Do I have to cancel my old contract myself?
What information do I need to switch?
What is the EDF Tarif Bleu (TRV) and can I return to it?
How long can I wait before using my right of withdrawal?
What happens when my old contract ends?
Which comparator should I use?
Where do I complain if there is a dispute?
Official Sources (accessed October 7, 2026)
- energie-info.fr: switching electricity or gas supplier
- CRE: regulated electricity tariffs
- Légifrance: Energy Code, article L337-7
- Légifrance: Consumer Code, article L224-15
- Légifrance: Consumer Code, article L221-18
- Médiateur national de l'énergie: how to contact the mediator
- energie-info.fr: how to compare electricity and gas offers
- EDF: Tarif Bleu price grid applicable from 1 August 2026 (PDF)
- energie-info.fr: chèque énergie
Written by Yasin Baytürk, publisher of comparatif24.fr
Verified on October 7, 2026