By Compare electricity suppliers in France
There are over 20 licensed electricity suppliers competing in France in 2026, all delivering power through the same Enedis grid. Price per kWh, monthly subscription, green credentials, and contract flexibility vary significantly — and switching is completely free, with no interruption to your supply. The offers below are updated live.
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How to set up electricity in France
Setting up electricity takes about 10 minutes online or by phone. Your supplier handles all communication with Enedis — you never contact Enedis directly to open a residential account. The process is the same whether you're opening a new account after a move, switching suppliers, or taking over a contract from a previous tenant.
What information do you need?
The table below covers every piece of information electricity suppliers typically request. Having it ready before you call or go online avoids delays — especially the PDL number, which many new arrivals don't know they need.
| What | Where to find it | Why it's needed |
|---|---|---|
| Full address | Including floor, flat number, building name | Identifies your specific meter on the Enedis network |
| Previous occupant's name | Ask your landlord or estate agent | Ensures correct meter assignment and billing continuity |
| PDL / PRM number | On a previous bill or on the meter itself (14 digits) | Your meter's unique ID on the Enedis network — required by all suppliers |
| French IBAN | Your bank's app or a statement | Required for the monthly direct debit — most suppliers require a French account |
| Power capacity (kVA) | On a previous bill, or ask your landlord | Determines your subscription cost — 6 kVA is standard for most flats |
Some suppliers accept foreign IBANs. Call Selectra on +33 9 87 67 37 93 to find out which ones fit your situation.
The cost of setting up electricity in France
Signing a contract with a supplier is free. The only one-off cost is a meter activation fee charged by Enedis, which appears on your first electricity bill. The amount depends on your meter type and how quickly you need the supply activated.
| Meter type | Lead time | Price incl. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Linky smart meter Most common | 24–48 hours | €1.78 |
| Old meter — standard | 5 working days | €32.40 |
| Old meter — express | 2 working days | €76.16 |
Enedis activation fees TTC, valid August 2025 – July 2026. Identical regardless of which supplier you choose.
For a full breakdown of electricity prices in France — including EDF's regulated Tarif Bleu rates, the cheapest offers per kWh, and how bills are calculated — see our dedicated guide: Price of electricity in France.
Electricity in France: what expats need to know
France's electricity market has a few specifics that can catch new arrivals off guard — from the role of Enedis to the choice of power capacity. Here's what to know before opening or switching an account.
Key French electricity terms
These terms come up repeatedly when dealing with French electricity suppliers and on your bills.
- Prix par kWh → Unit rate — the cost per kilowatt-hour consumed
- Abonnement → Subscription — fixed monthly charge, independent of consumption
- Tarif réglementé / tarif bleu → Regulated rate — EDF's government-set tariff
- PDL / PRM → Meter reference number — 14-digit ID needed to sign up with any supplier
- Mise en service → Account activation — the one-off process of opening your meter
- Puissance souscrite → Contracted power capacity (kVA) — determines max load and subscription cost
Frequently asked questions
No. You never contact Enedis to open a residential account. You sign a contract with your chosen supplier, and they notify Enedis on your behalf. The only exception is moving into a brand-new property with no existing meter — that requires a demande de raccordement submitted directly to Enedis.
No. The French electricity market has been open to competition since 2007. Over 20 licensed suppliers now operate alongside EDF, including TotalEnergies, Engie, ekWateur, Ilek, Octopus Energy and others. All of them deliver electricity through the same Enedis network — only the price and contract terms differ.
PDL (Point de Livraison) or PRM (Point de Référence de Mesure) is your electricity meter's unique 14-digit reference number. It identifies your address in the Enedis network, and every supplier needs it to open your account. Find it on any previous electricity bill or directly on your meter. If you don't have it, Selectra can look it up from your address.
It depends on the supplier. Most require a French IBAN for the monthly direct debit. Some accept foreign bank accounts — call Selectra on +33 9 87 67 37 93 to find out which suppliers are available for your situation. Online banks like Revolut or N26 can open a European IBAN quickly for non-residents.
With a Linky smart meter, activation takes 24 to 48 hours from signature — no technician visit needed. With an older mechanical meter, standard activation takes 5 working days (express: 2 working days at extra cost). Allow at least two weeks from the start of your search, especially if you still need to open a bank account or locate your PDL number.