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Electricity & gas · Switzerland
Checked 2026-09-27

📈 My energy supplier is raising prices in Switzerland. What can I do?

The short answer

A supplier cannot raise your price overnight. It has to warn you in advance, and that notice often gives you the right to leave.

📜 The rules in Switzerland

Price rises

Basic-supply electricity tariffs are set per calendar year. Grid operators must publish them by the end of August; they apply from 1 January and cannot be changed during the year. Increases must be justified to customers. As you cannot switch, there is no right to leave.

Official source: elcom.admin.ch · Checked 2026-09-27

Switching supplier

Households cannot switch electricity supplier; only customers using more than 100,000 kWh a year have market access. For gas, the Competition Commission ruled in 2020 that small customers may in principle choose, but there is no nationwide framework; a gas supply act (GasVG) was consulted in 2025.

Official source: bfe.admin.ch · Checked 2026-09-27

🪜 Step by step

  1. Read the letterNote the new price, the date it starts, and whether your contract has a fixed price until a certain date.
  2. Check if it is allowedA fixed price normally cannot be raised before its end date. Compare the notice you got with the rules for Switzerland below.
  3. Compare and decideCheck whether another offer is cheaper. If you leave because of the increase, do it before the new price applies.
  4. Complain if the rules were brokenIf you were not informed properly, complain in writing to the supplier, then to the dispute body below.

📇 Who to contact

Strompreis-Webseite der ElCom officialCompare electricity and gas offersBefore you switch, or when your price goes up🔗 www.strompreis.elcom.admin.ch
Eidgenössische Elektrizitätskommission ElComSupervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules📞 +41 58 462 58 33🔗 www.elcom.admin.ch

❓ Questions

Can a fixed price be raised?

Normally not during the fixed period, unless your contract says so. Taxes and levies can still change.

Do I pay an exit fee if I leave after a price rise?

In many countries you can leave without a fee when the price goes up. The rules for Switzerland are on this page.

What if I missed the letter?

Ask the supplier for a copy and the date it was sent. If they cannot show proper notice, complain.

📎 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→🧾Wrong or high bill→💸Can’t pay the bill→🏚️Supplier went bust→📣Complaint about a supplier→

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