Dossier ENGIE
What Are the Termination Fees?
In France, anyone who has subscribed to an electricity and/or gas contract has the right to switch energy supplier whenever they wish. But how much does this change of provider actually cost? Here are the answers to all the questions you may have about the process of terminating your energy subscription.
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How much does it cost to terminate your energy contract?
Since the French energy market opened to competition in 2007, terminating your electricity or gas contract costs absolutely… nothing! In fact, the termination process for both gas and electricity contracts is completely free for residential customers.
It can also be initiated at any time, without needing to provide any justification or specific reason. All you need to do is send a termination request for your electricity or gas contract, either by post or directly online on your supplier’s website.
You therefore have complete freedom to change energy supplier, whether you are moving to a new home or simply wish to benefit from an energy offer that better suits your household’s needs.
Do you need to have your meter closed when terminating a contract?
If you are moving, the closure of your former electricity or gas meter is a decision made by the energy supplier concerned. If the property is quickly occupied by a new resident, it may not be necessary to shut off the meters.
However, if the property remains unoccupied for a long period of time, the supplier may request that the network operator — ENEDIS for electricity and GRDF for gas — send a technician to close the meters.
If you are simply switching energy supplier, no meter shutdown is required.
What is the adjustment bill (“facture de régularisation”)?
It is important not to confuse termination with adjustment. While terminating a gas or electricity contract is an administrative procedure that involves no termination fees, you are still required to pay the balance of the energy you consumed until the end of your contract.
This is where the so-called “facture de régularisation” (adjustment bill) comes in. This bill will be sent to you by your former supplier within a maximum of four weeks after your termination request has been processed and after your gas and/or electricity meter readings have been communicated.
What does the adjustment bill include?
In addition to confirming the effective end of your energy supply contract, the adjustment bill will include the final account balance, corresponding to the portion of your subscription and the energy you actually consumed.
Two situations may arise:
Either your actual consumption is lower than the estimate made by the energy supplier when you subscribed: in that case, you will receive the overpaid amount as a refund, or it may be deducted from a future bill if you remain with the same supplier.
Or your actual consumption is higher than the estimate made by the supplier: the adjustment bill will show the remaining amount due, which you must pay in order to definitively close your contract.
