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Electricity & gas · France
Checked 2026-09-27

📦 Moving house in France: what do I do about electricity and gas?

The short answer

Moving is a common moment for billing mistakes. Read the meters on both days and tell your supplier in time.

📜 The rules in France

The market

You can choose your electricity and gas supplier freely. Switching is free, there is no minimum contract period and you can switch as often as you like, including back to the regulated electricity tariff.

Official source: energie-info.fr · Checked 2026-09-27

Switching supplier

You only sign a contract with the new supplier and agree a start date; your old contract ends automatically. Give your PDL/PRM (electricity) or PCE (gas) number. No fee may be charged for switching and there is no cut-off.

Official source: energie-info.fr · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Tell your supplier in advanceGive the moving date and your new address, and ask whether your contract can move with you.
  2. Read the metersTake dated photos of all meters on the day you leave and the day you arrive.
  3. Check the new homeFind out which grid operator serves the new address and whether the supply is connected.
  4. Check your final billCompare the final bill with your photos. Any credit must be refunded.

📇 Who to contact

Comparateur d'offres d'électricité et de gaz naturel (énergie-info) officialCompare electricity and gas offersBefore you switch, or when your price goes up🔗 comparateur-offres.energie-info.fr/comparateur-offres-electricite-gaz-naturel/criteria.action?profil=particulier
Enedis — About 95% of mainland France (electricity)Runs the local grid, meters and connectionsPower cut, meter problem, new connection📞 09 726 750 XX (XX = département)🔗 www.enedis.fr
Commission de régulation de l'énergie (CRE)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.cre.fr

❓ Questions

Can I take my contract with me?

Often yes, within the same country. Otherwise moving usually lets you end it.

What if the supply is off at the new home?

Contact a supplier or the grid operator to have it connected.

Who pays for energy between tenants?

The person on the contract pays until the move is reported. That is why the meter reading matters.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Also useful

🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→

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