Energy bills: 18 countries are late with new rights for households

The Commission warns 18 member states that haven’t delivered the new rules on switching supplier and sharing energy.

The EU’s electricity market reform (Directive (EU) 2024/1711) gave households a stronger right to choose and switch their electricity supplier and a new right to share self-produced energy, for example with neighbours. Member states had until 17 July 2026 to put these rights into national law. On 25 September the Commission sent letters of formal notice to 18 countries that had not done so: Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

For youYour right to switch electricity supplier already exists under earlier EU rules. The new rights on energy sharing may take longer to reach you if your country is on the list.

Next: The 18 countries have two months (until late November 2026) to reply; the Commission can then escalate to a reasoned opinion.

Verified against the sources above on 29 September 2026. Plain-language summary — not the legal text and not legal advice.