Dossier ENGIE
“Linky tax”: will the meter become chargeable in 2026? Fact vs fiction
The rollout of the Linky meter is coming to an end, but it still raises questions. Some people even talk about a “Linky tax.” Will French households have to pay for it in 2026? ENGIE explains everything.
The Linky meter continues to generate discussion. Critics point to several concerns: potential health risks from electromagnetic waves and questions about user data protection. The latest debate focuses on its cost: who should pay for it? You may have heard about a so-called “Linky tax” that would make the meter chargeable in 2025. ENGIE helps you separate fact from fiction on these topics.
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Will the Linky meter be chargeable in 2026?
This is a question frequently asked in the media and on forums: is the installation of the Linky meter free? Will households eventually have to contribute to repay Enedis for its investment?
Is Linky installation billed to users? False
If your home is still equipped with an old meter and you are among the 10% of households not yet fitted with a Linky meter, you will not have to pay anything for the installation of the smart meter.
Indeed, Enedis covers the cost of installing Linky meters as part of the nationwide rollout and replacement of older meters.
Will households that refuse installation be charged? True
Around 2.1 million homes still need to be equipped with a Linky meter. Some properties remain unequipped because occupants refuse installation.
Since January 1, 2023, the Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie (CRE) has introduced a specific pricing scheme for these consumers. These fees are sometimes referred to as a “Linky tax,” but they are not actually a tax. Moreover, they only apply to people who deliberately refuse installation. They do not apply to all households without Linky, particularly those who cannot be equipped for technical reasons.
Since August 1, 2025, even if consumption readings are reported, users who refuse the installation must pay €6.48 every two months, or €38.88 per year(2). If they do not report their consumption index, an additional charge of €24.84 per year applies, billed at €4.14 every two months.
Are services related to the Linky meter chargeable? True
While installation of the Linky meter is free when scheduled as part of the rollout, other services provided by Enedis are chargeable.
Since the beginning of its deployment in France, commissioning the Linky meter (for example when moving into a new home) has been billed. The price is higher for urgent requests (same-day service). Similarly, users must pay for grid connection or changes in power capacity.
Here are the main service fees from Enedis(*) :
Enedis service |
Price |
Linky meter installation according to rollout schedule |
Free |
Commissioning on existing connection (with Linky meter) |
€1.78 |
Commissioning after a new connection |
€28.84 |
Express intervention |
€59.51 |
Note: Prices valid as of August 1, 2025 |
Will the Linky meter become chargeable one day?
In principle, households in France will not have to pay for the installation of a Linky meter in the coming years. Using it may even help you save energy.
Will the Linky meter become chargeable in the future? False
The installation of smart meters will continue to be free for all households that do not yet have one and are included in the rollout schedule(3).
Despite the high deployment cost (€5.7 billion) borne by Enedis, the expected benefits should offset the investment.
Not using Linky can actually cost you money: True
In a way, not using Linky may cost you money.
The main advantage of this smart meter lies in its ability to help you reduce your bills by providing accurate consumption data. By not taking full advantage of its features, you may miss out on potential savings. Linky offers several benefits such as:
simplified administrative procedures
better control over energy consumption
billing based on actual usage
faster troubleshooting
Linky meter charges: key takeaways
The installation and use of the Linky meter remain free for households in 2026 and in the years ahead.
Households that refuse installation will have to pay a specific fee on their energy bill.
However, users must still pay for commissioning (as with older meters) and other services provided by Enedis.
Using this smart meter helps reduce energy consumption and simplifies many procedures.
Does the Linky meter pose health risks?
This is a common argument raised by critics: that the meter emits electromagnetic waves harmful to health. However, Linky uses wired technology (power line communication — CPL) and does not emit more waves than a non-communicating meter, according to reports from certified bodies such as the ANFR, the CSTB, and the ANSES.
Are my data secure with the Linky meter?
Yes. Energy suppliers and Enedis cannot use collected data for commercial purposes without user consent. They strictly follow the recommendations of the CNIL.
