Can I cancel my energy contract?
Yes, as a household or SME you may cancel your energy contract at any time — fixed or variable — with a notice of maximum one month and no termination fee. This is set in binding regulation: the Electricity Act of 29 April 1999 (art. 18, § 2/3) and the Gas Act of 12 April 1965, and it derives from the consumer accord for the liberalized energy market; the energy regulator CREG confirms the rule. You usually do not have to cancel yourself: when you sign a new contract, your new supplier handles the cancellation of the old one, without interruption of supply and without double billing. Cancellation can be in writing, by registered (electronic) mail or via your supplier's digital environment. If you cancel on 10 January, your contract ends on 10 February. For large, professional (non-household) customers, the negotiated contract terms apply, and a fee may exist.
📋 The rules
- Cancellable any time with max 1 month notice — for both fixed and variable contracts
- No termination fee for a household or SME that respects the notice (Electricity Act, art. 18, § 2/3)
- The switch is free and handled by your new supplier (no interruption, no double bill)
- Cancellation can be written, registered or digital; keep the proof (it starts the month)
- Large/professional customers: negotiated terms; a fee is then possible
- A tacitly renewed fixed contract stays cancellable any time with one month
🔓 Exceptions
- For large non-household customers, the protection does not apply automatically (contract terms)
- If the supplier cancels, separate rules apply (with a minimum notification period)
- A tacitly renewed fixed contract also stays cancellable with one month notice — the renewal does not lock you into a whole new term
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The sanction here lands mainly on the supplier. If he still charges a termination fee to a household or SME that gave one month notice, that cost is unlawful and not owed. Dispute the invoice in writing and, if you get nowhere, file a free complaint with the Energy Ombudsman, who can order the supplier to repay it. Two practical traps: keep the proof of your cancellation, because that date starts the month running, and check that your old supplier stops invoicing — the switch is meant to be free, with no double billing.
📎 Official sources
- CREG · switching energy supplier (myths) →
- FPS Economy · switching energy supplier →
- CREG · note Z2265 (energy contract cancellation) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I cancel my fixed energy contract early?
Yes. As a household or SME you can always cancel a fixed or variable contract with one month notice at most, and without a termination fee. This is mandatory law: the supplier cannot contract out of it.
Must I cancel with my old supplier myself?
Usually not. If you sign a new contract, your new supplier arranges the cancellation of the old one, with no interruption of supply and no double billing. You can also cancel yourself, in writing or digitally.
Can my supplier charge a termination fee?
Not to a household or SME that respects the one-month notice period: such a charge is unlawful and not owed, so do not pay it without protest. For large professional consumers, the contract can provide for a fee.
What if I am charged a termination fee anyway?
Do not simply pay it: dispute the invoice in writing with your supplier. If that leads nowhere, you can file a free complaint with the Energy Ombudsman, who can enforce repayment of the amount.
How soon does my contract end after I cancel?
One month after your cancellation at the latest: cancel on 10 January and your contract ends on 10 February. Always keep proof of the date, because that is when the month starts to run.
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