Consumer and banking · Energy · contracts
Electricity or gas supplier switched without your consent in France: contest and switch back
A French electricity or gas contract binds you only through your signature (article L224-6 of the Consumer Code), unless you expressly asked for a quick connection when moving in. If a supplier switched you without consent, contest it in writing with that supplier: according to the national energy ombudsman, you have three months and your previous situation must be restored. Demanding payment for supply you never ordered is prohibited.
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General legal information with official references and dated checks. It is not personalised advice: for a decision that commits you, have your situation checked by a qualified professional.
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You signed after a doorstep sale: can you withdraw?
Yes, for fourteen days from when the contract was concluded, with no reason or penalty, ideally by registered letter with the withdrawal form. If you asked for a quick start, energy already supplied is still owed. After that, you can switch supplier free of charge within 21 days at most.
Read the referencesYour bill comes from a supplier you never chose: I can help you contest it and prepare the letter.
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How can you tell your supplier was changed without consent?
The first sign is often a welcome letter or a bill from a supplier you did not choose. The second comes from your usual supplier: your contract ends automatically on the day the new one takes effect, and you receive a closing bill within four weeks.
Check your 14-digit electricity delivery point (PDL) or gas metering point (PCE) number on those documents: that is what was transferred.
Énergie-info: my supplier was changed without my wanting itCode de la consommation, article L224-14Code de la consommation, article L224-15
What should your contest letter say?
Fill in the fields: the letter uses the wording suggested by the national energy ombudsman, with the articles your challenge relies on.
Letter to the supplier (in French)
[prénom et nom]
À l’attention du service clients de [nom du nouveau fournisseur]
Lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception
Objet : contestation d’un changement de fournisseur non souhaité
Madame, Monsieur,
Le [date], j’ai constaté que la fourniture de mon logement avait été transférée à votre société. Je conteste avoir conclu un contrat d’électricité avec votre société pour la fourniture de mon logement situé [adresse du logement]. Mon numéro de PDL ou de PCE est le [numéro à 14 chiffres].
Après l’appel de votre démarcheur, je n’ai ni signé ni accepté sur un support durable l’offre que vous deviez me confirmer par écrit (article L221-16 du code de la consommation).
Le consommateur n’est engagé que par sa signature (article L224-6 du code de la consommation). Il est interdit d’exiger le paiement d’une fourniture de gaz ou d’électricité qui n’a pas été commandée (article L121-12), et tout contrat conclu à la suite de cette pratique est nul (article L132-16).
Par conséquent, je vous demande de faire le nécessaire afin de rétablir sans délai mon contrat de fourniture chez mon fournisseur antérieur, la société [nom du fournisseur antérieur], aux conditions contractuelles initiales.
À défaut de réponse satisfaisante dans un délai de deux mois, je saisirai le médiateur national de l’énergie. J’adresse une copie de ce courrier à [nom du fournisseur antérieur].
Je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées.
Fait le [date]. [prénom et nom]
Send it within 3 months of the switch: that is the time limit of the amicable procedure described by the national energy ombudsman, which restores your contract within 25 days of receipt. The letter stays in French because it goes to a French supplier.
Is a contract valid if you never signed anything?
No. For electricity or gas supply, a consumer is bound only by their signature. After a phone call, the supplier must send you written confirmation of its offer, and you are bound only once you have signed and accepted it on a durable medium.
The only exception is someone moving in who expressly asks, at a distance, for supply to start before the withdrawal period ends. In addition, since 11 August 2026, any contract concluded after a sales call made without your prior consent is void.
Code de la consommation, article L224-6Code de la consommation, article L221-16Code de la consommation, article L223-1
How long do you have to contest, and how fast is your old contract restored?
According to the national energy ombudsman, you have three months after the switch to challenge it with the new supplier. Your previous situation must then be restored within 25 days of receipt of your challenge, two months at most in particular cases.
This amicable procedure applies where the supplier did not obtain your consent, and does not stop you going to the authorities or to court. If you did sign validly, you can in any case switch supplier again, free of charge.
Énergie-info: my supplier was changed without my wanting itCode de la consommation, article L224-15
Which steps get you back to your supplier, in order?
In this order, from the quickest to the heaviest.
Gather the evidence
Welcome letter, the new supplier’s bill, the old supplier’s closing bill, and your 14-digit PDL or PCE number.
Énergie-info: my supplier was changed without my wanting itCode de la consommation, article L224-15
Challenge it in writing within three months
A letter to the new supplier asking for your previous contract to be restored on its original terms; this must happen within 25 days.
Tell your previous supplier
Your contract ended automatically on the switch date: send it a copy of your challenge.
Refuse to pay and claim back what was taken
Supply you did not order cannot be billed; sums taken are owed back to you with increased interest.
Code de la consommation, article L121-12Code de la consommation, article L132-16
Go to the national energy ombudsman
Free, two months after a written complaint that went unresolved; applying suspends limitation periods.
Code de l’énergie, article L122-1Code de l’énergie, article R122-1
Alert the DGCCRF
The ombudsman says to contact the departmental office where the supplier has its head office, which can bring proceedings.
Do you have to pay a supplier you never chose?
No. Demanding payment for an electricity or gas supply you did not order is prohibited, and the resulting contract is void.
Any sums already taken without your express prior agreement must be refunded, with interest at the legal rate from payment, increased by half from your refund request.
Code de la consommation, article L121-12Code de la consommation, article L132-16
What do articles L224-6 and L121-12 of the Consumer Code say?
Le consommateur n’est engagé que par sa signature.
In plain English: The consumer is bound only by their signature.
Article L121-12 prohibits demanding payment for a supply that was not ordered and expressly covers gas and electricity; under article L132-16 the resulting contract is void.
The only exception to the signature rule is a consumer moving in who expressly asks, in a distance contract, for supply to start before the withdrawal period ends.
What do people who were switched ask?
You signed after a doorstep sale: can you withdraw?
Yes, for fourteen days from when the contract was concluded, with no reason or penalty, ideally by registered letter with the withdrawal form. If you asked for a quick start, energy already supplied is still owed. After that, you can switch supplier free of charge within 21 days at most.
Code de la consommation, article L221-18Énergie-info: your rights after doorstep and distance salesCode de la consommation, article L224-6Code de la consommation, article L224-15Code de la consommation, article L224-14
Can you go back to the regulated tariff after an unwanted switch?
For electricity, yes: the regulated tariff is granted to any household customer who asks for it. If you challenge within three months, the ombudsman’s procedure in fact aims to restore your previous contract on its original terms.
Code de l’énergie, article L337-7Énergie-info: my supplier was changed without my wanting it
Is phone selling of energy contracts still allowed in France?
Only if you consented beforehand, by a clear positive act the business must be able to prove, or within an existing contract. These rules apply since 11 August 2026, and a contract concluded after an unlawful call is void.
When should you contact the national energy ombudsman?
Two months after a written complaint to the supplier that went unresolved, and no later than one year after it. Applying is free, suspends civil and criminal limitation periods, and the recommendation comes within 90 days, unless extended.
Code de l’énergie, article R122-1Code de la consommation, article L612-2Code de l’énergie, article L122-1Code de la consommation, article R612-5
Which texts does this challenge rely on?
- Code de la consommation, article L224-6Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article L121-12Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article L132-16Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article L221-18Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article L223-1Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article L221-16Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article L224-14Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article L224-15Légifrance
- Code de l’énergie, article L122-1Légifrance
- Code de l’énergie, article R122-1Légifrance
- Code de l’énergie, article L337-7Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article R612-5Légifrance
- Code de la consommation, article L612-2Légifrance
- Énergie-info: my supplier was changed without my wanting itMédiateur national de l’énergie
- Énergie-info: your rights after doorstep and distance salesMédiateur national de l’énergie
Texts cited last checked: 17 October 2026