Electricity in France: set up electricity in 3 steps
Setting up electricity in France needn’t be complicated! Whether you’re moving to Paris and need to open an electricity account, or you have just purchased a holiday home in the south of France and need to put the meter in your name, the process is fairly straightforward. We break it down into easy steps!
- 3 Steps to set up electricity in France
- To start an electricity contract in France, you must contact an electricity supplier directly, or call Selectra's English-speaking advisors on 09 87 67 37 93 to help you compare and subscribe to an offer.
- Choose your electricity supplier in France. Competitive suppliers often offer better deals than the regulated rates charged by historical provider EDF. It's important to have your meter number (PDL or PRM for electricity) and your meter readings to ensure you have the most accurate billing from when you move in.
- Provide your banking details (IBAN) to set up direct debit billing and pay the initial fee to open an electricity account in your name.
Open an electricity account in France today!
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French power supply: How the Electricity Market Works in France
Electricity in France is deregulated, meaning that you have a choice of supplier and the grid operator who oversees the management of the electricity network, for example by responding to power outages. The grid operator throughout most of France is Enedis (formerly ERDF - Électricité Réseau Distribution France). You will need to contact Enedis if you are setting up electricity in a new home and need to have a meter installed (demande de raccordement).
Moving to a newly built home? Find out more about setting up electricity in a new home in France with our in-depth guide.
In most cases, your main point of contact will not be with Enedis but rather with your electricity provider.
While ERDF (now Enedis) is responsible for delivering electricity, you must open an electricity account with a provider to access the French electricity supply. The historical electricity supplier is EDF (Électricité de France). However, since the market for electricity in France opened up to competition, alternative providers with a focus on green energy have become available to consumers (such as TotalEnergies,, Eni, and others), and generally offer more attractive rates for energy supply.
To avoid any interruptions to your power supply, it is ideal to start the account activation process for your electricity about two weeks before your moving-in date. However, given some of the other bureaucratic hurdles you have to overcome when you move to France, this may not always be possible. In this case, you may need to pay an additional fee for quick service activation (see below).
You do not have to activate an account with EDF before switching to another supplier! Regardless of which supplier you choose, the electricity supply is the same and the process for activating an account is the same. The main difference is the electricity rates you are charged for consumption, so you can often save on your energy bills by comparing offers!
What You Need to Set up Electricity in France
It will save some time if you have the necessary information prepared before calling a supplier to set up an electricity account. In an ideal world, you would have the following information available:
- Your contact information: name, e-mail address, French phone number
- The address of your new accommodation. Don't forget the floor and apartment number if it is a flat (e.g. third floor, the door on the left)
- The name of the previous occupant
- Your banking information (French IBAN and BIC, for payment via direct debit)
Open an electricity account in France today!
Sign up to the energy plan that suits your needs with our English-speaking advisers.
Don’t yet have a French bank account or French phone number? Don’t have a French bank account or French phone number? It is still possible to set up electricity in France! Certain providers accept foreign IBANs (for example ekWateur, and Mint Energie). Currently, a French phone number remains a requirement for many electricity suppliers, with the exception of Planete Oui, so it makes sense to get a French SIM card or French mobile phone plan.
The energy supplier will use this information to identify your meter. They will also likely ask you questions about your home and consumption habits (e.g. the size of the property in square meters, how many people live there, whether heating/cooking appliances are fueled by electricity or gas, and whether it’s a primary or secondary residence). This allows them to determine the appropriate amount of power capacity for your home.
Did You Know?In France, you have a choice of how much power capacity you want for your property, from 3KVA to 36KVA. This is referred to as the "puissance de compteur". Most homes in France use 6 kVA or 9 kVA, with either base or peak and off-peak (HP/HC) pricing.
Choosing an French Electricity Supplier
What Goes Into the Price of Electricity in France?
There are two types of charges to be aware of when comparing electricity supply offers:
- The price per kWh ("prix par kWh")
- The subscription charge ("prix de l'abonnement")
The subscription charge is fixed (i.e. it does not change throughout the year), and the amount depends on the puissance de compteur (with a greater puissance meaning a higher monthly charge).
Set up electricity in France in one call!
Contact our English-speaking advisers to compare and subscribe to an energy offer adapted to your use.
Comparing Electricity providers with English-speaking customer service
Need to speak with an English-speaking energy advisor? EDF is not your only energy option! There are green providers in France that offer customer support in English, too! - Either online (through email, webchat, and social media channels) or over the phone:
Energy supplier | English support available | More information |
---|---|---|
| 09 87 67 37 93 or request a Free call back. | |
| 09 87 67 37 93 or request a Free call back. |
Also, it’s worth remembering that these providers accept foreign IBANs, and in some cases, foreign phone numbers, which can make setting up an electricity account easier if you have just moved to France and have yet to open up a French bank account.
Once you have chosen an electricity supplier, you can contact them directly or call an English-speaking Selectra energy advisor on 09 87 67 37 93, or ask for a free call back. During the call the energy advisor will:
- Help you find the appropriate energy plan
- Register your preferred method of payment
- Estimate your yearly consumption and ask for your meter readings/meter information
The Cost of Setting up Electricity in France
Enedis is the distribution grid operator of 95% of French territory
Once you have subscribed to an electricity contract with an energy provider, the provider will contact the distribution grid operator, Enedis and inform them that the ownership status of the electricity meter has changed. You will likely receive a final confirmation from your provider informing you of the activation fees once your account is active and the meter is in your name.
How much does electricity account activation cost?
Enedis charges a fee for opening a new account, even if a technician isn't needed to reactivate the electricity line (as is the case with a Linky or smart meter). These fees will be included in your first electricity bill.
Enedis Service | Time Delay | Price (incl. VAT) |
---|---|---|
Standard account activation | 5 working days | €16.79 |
Express account activation | 24h to 48h | €55.07 |
Urgent account activation | The same day | From €52,97 to €132.40 |
That's it! To close an electricity account, simply call your supplier at least 48 hours before your moving out date to arrange for a final meter reading.
French Term | English Definition | What it's For |
---|---|---|
Puissance du compteur | Meter power capacity | Determines how much power capacity you have delivered to your home, which affects the rate you pay for electricity |
Prix de l'abonnement | Subscription charge | Fixed charge to cover fixed costs associated with delivery and providing customer service. |
Tarifs réglementés (may also be referred to as the "tarif bleu") | Regulated rate | Regulated rate option offered by EDF. Prices are set by French authorities |
Open an electricity account in France today!
Sign up to the energy plan that suits your needs with our English-speaking advisers.