Linky Smart Meter France 2026: Expat Guide to How It Works, Your Data and Health
Enedis states that the Linky meter is installed in 96% of French households, which is 38.4 million meters. As a newcomer, here is what matters: how it communicates, how to read it, what it records and who can access your data.
Key takeaways
- •Enedis states that 96% of French households have a Linky meter, which is 38.4 million meters installed (Enedis, accessed 2026-10-06).
- •Linky is read remotely, with no technician visit, and communicates through the electrical cables (CPL), not by radio waves.
- •It records daily indexes, daily maximum power and the load curve; a third party gets your data only with your express authorisation.
- •A Linky meter cannot be switched off: Enedis says it must stay permanently active.
Table of contents
What is the Linky meter?
The Linky meter is the communicating electricity meter operated by Enedis, the electricity distribution network operator. Enedis states on its Linky page that 96% of French households have one, which is 38.4 million meters installed.
Key points (Enedis)
- Wired communication through the electrical network (CPL)
- Remote reading, with no technician visit
- Permanently active: it cannot be switched off
How Linky communicates (CPL)
According to Enedis, the Linky meter communicates with Enedis through the Courant Porteur en Ligne (CPL). It describes CPL as a wired communication mode that sends information through the cables of the electrical network as a signal, not by radio waves, and as a technology that has been in use for more than 50 years.
The same Enedis page says CPL is already used to send the peak and off-peak hours signal to 11 million homes, and for other uses such as baby monitors, automatic shutters and lift doors.
Reading the meter
Enedis states that Linky is read remotely, so no technician needs to come to your home and you do not need to be present.
On the meter itself, scroll through the information with the + and - keys. Enedis lists the contract name, consumption in kWh, subscribed power, current power usage and the maximum daily power, which is reset at midnight.
To see your data online, Enedis refers to the "Mon compte" customer account at mon-compte-client.enedis.fr.
What data is recorded, and who can access it
Enedis lists two kinds of data recorded by Linky: the history of daily indexes together with the daily maximum power, and the history of the load curve.
Third-party access
Enedis states that you can expressly authorise a third party, such as an electricity supplier, to retrieve your measurement data in your place. You can access the data yourself through your personal Linky portal. See the Enedis page J'accède à mes données de mesure.
If you are new to France
Whether you rent or own, start with these points.
Find your PDL number
According to energie-info.fr, the PDL (Point De Livraison) of your electricity meter is a 14-digit code found on your bill. You need it to switch supplier, and our guide to changing electricity provider explains the steps.
Use the meter display
The + and - keys on the meter show your consumption and subscribed power without any account.
Check the language of the online services
We could not confirm an English-language version of the Enedis online services, so we do not list one. Which documents are needed to open an account is also not covered by the sources checked.
Off-peak hours and Tempo
Your off-peak hours are set by the network operator, not by your supplier, and they appear on your bill. Details are in our off-peak hours France guide.
The CRE describes the Tempo option as 22 red days, 43 white days and 300 or 301 blue days a year. Our EDF Tempo tariff guide explains how it works.
Health: what Enedis says
Enedis states that the Linky communicating meter is not dangerous for health and complies with all European and French technical and health standards. Enedis says that ANFR, CSTB and ANSES carried out measurements and that their reports showed the very low impact of the Linky meter on the electromagnetic environment.
Enedis also states that the meter generates fewer electromagnetic waves than a low-energy light bulb. This is Enedis's own statement. We quote no exposure figures because none could be confirmed on the Enedis pages checked; for the reports themselves, see the websites of ANFR and ANSES.
Recourse
- For a dispute with a supplier or network operator, send a written complaint first. After two months without a solution, the Médiateur national de l'énergie handles disputes free of charge: energie-mediateur.fr.
If your main goal is to cut your bill, look beyond Linky and compare electricity suppliers.
Frequently asked questions
How does Linky communicate?
Linky communicates with Enedis through the Courant Porteur en Ligne (CPL), a wired technology that sends information through the electrical network cables as a signal rather than by radio waves (Enedis).
Can I switch my Linky meter off?
No. Enedis states that it is impossible to switch off a Linky meter, which must stay permanently active so that electricity consumption is calculated exactly.
Does Linky need a technician to read it?
No. Enedis states that the meter is read remotely, so no technician needs to come to your home.
What does Linky record?
According to Enedis, Linky records the history of daily indexes and daily maximum power, and the history of the load curve.
Who can access my data?
You can access your measurement data through your personal Linky portal. A third party, such as an electricity supplier, can retrieve your data in your place only if you expressly authorise it (Enedis).
Is Linky dangerous for health?
Enedis states that the Linky meter is not dangerous for health and complies with the European and French technical and health standards. It adds that measurements by ANFR, CSTB and ANSES showed a very low impact on the electromagnetic environment.
Official sources (accessed October 6, 2026)
- Enedis, Linky meter: https://www.enedis.fr/linky-compteur-communicant
- Enedis, how does the Linky meter communicate: https://www.enedis.fr/faq/compteur-linky/comment-communique-le-compteur-linky
- Enedis, how does the Linky meter work: https://www.enedis.fr/faq/compteur-linky/comment-fonctionne-le-compteur-linky
- Enedis, how to read the Linky meter: https://www.enedis.fr/faq/compteur-linky/comment-relever-mon-compteur-linky
- Enedis, finding consumption data on the meter: https://www.enedis.fr/faq/compteur-linky/comment-retrouver-mes-donnees-de-consommation-sur-le-compteur-linky
- Enedis, can a Linky meter be switched off: https://www.enedis.fr/faq/compteur-linky/peut-eteindre-un-compteur-linky
- Enedis, Linky and health: https://www.enedis.fr/faq/compteur-linky/compteur-linky-quels-risques-pour-la-sante
- Enedis, access to my measurement data: https://www.enedis.fr/jaccede-mes-donnees-de-mesure
- energie-info.fr, switching supplier (PDL number): https://www.energie-info.fr/fiche_pratique/je-souhaite-changer-de-fournisseur-delectricite-ou-de-gaz-naturel/
- CRE, deliberation of 14 January 2026, annex B1 (Tempo structure): https://www.cre.fr/fileadmin/Documents/Deliberations/2026/260114_2026-06_TRVE_2026_Annexe_B.pdf
- Médiateur national de l'énergie: https://www.energie-mediateur.fr/je-contacte-le-mediateur-national-de-lenergie/
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Disclaimer. This article is provided for guidance and was checked against the official sources above on October 6, 2026. Enedis practices may change, so check the sources for the latest information. Comparatif24.fr is an information site, not an energy supplier or a network operator.