How to Set Up Electricity in France After Completion
You’ve signed at the notary, collected the keys, and found the corkscrew. Now you need electricity in your name so the lights—and hot water—work when you arrive. Here’s the no-nonsense guide we send our buyers.
The Essentials
Who to call: EDF’s English line on +33 9 69 36 63 83
What you’ll need: Your meter ID (PDL/PRM—14 digits), move-in date, property address, chosen tariff, and bank details
Power rating to request: 6 kVA suits most apartments. You can adjust later if needed
Banking: A French or SEPA-enabled EUR IBAN works best. Revolut or Wise EUR accounts handle SEPA Direct Debits smoothly
If you have the PDL number (perhaps from previous bills or the Linky meter screen), keep it handy. Otherwise, EDF can trace it from your address and the former occupant’s details.
Opening Your Electricity Contract
Find your PDL/PRM
Check any existing bills or the Linky smart meter display. No documentation? EDF can locate it using your precise address and ideally the previous owner’s name.
Contact EDF
Ring +33 9 69 36 63 83 during weekday business hours. Request a new contract from your move-in date, providing your PDL/PRM, suggesting 6 kVA initially, and selecting your tariff preference.
Select your tariff
Base offers a flat rate per kWh—straightforward if your usage is consistent throughout the day. Heures Pleines/Heures Creuses (HP/HC) provides peak and off-peak pricing with eight off-peak hours daily, ideal if you can shift hot water and heating to overnight. When uncertain, start with Base; you can switch later.
Set up payment
SEPA Direct Debit in euros is standard. Without a French bank account yet, open a Revolut or Wise EUR account and use that IBAN. If an agent insists on a French RIB, politely explain you have SEPA-compliant EUR banking. Different agents sometimes interpret rules differently—ringing back can help. Alternatively, open the contract immediately, pay the first bill by card, and add your EUR IBAN subsequently.
Understand activation timing
Linky smart meters typically activate remotely within 24 hours once your contract is live. Older meters or disconnected supplies may require a technician visit—allow up to five working days, though express options exist for a fee. Share your arrival date with EDF to avoid cold showers.
Choosing the Right Supply Size
6 kVA handles typical holiday apartments with standard appliances. Larger properties with electric heating, multiple high-power appliances running simultaneously, or additions like saunas may need 9–12 kVA. If you regularly trip breakers, increase capacity; if you never approach limits, downgrade to reduce fixed charges.
Understanding the System
EDF (or alternative suppliers) sells electricity and manages billing. EDF maintains an English-speaking service line. Enedis operates the grid and meters, including Linky units, handling physical activations regardless of your chosen supplier.
Revolut or Wise for UK Owners
Open a EUR account through their app, enable SEPA Direct Debit on that balance, and fund it with a small monthly auto-exchange from GBP to maintain positive balance. Provide EDF with your EUR IBAN during setup. Ensure the contract holder name matches the IBAN holder to prevent mandate complications.
FAQs on connecting your new ski property to electricity
With Linky: usually remote activation inside ~24 hours once your contract is opened.
Without Linky / power off: allow up to 5 working days for a technician (express options exist). Pro move: call before you travel and give your arrival date.
No. Any SEPA-enabled EUR IBAN works (Revolut/Wise EUR accounts are perfect). If the agent insists on a “French RIB,” politely restate it’s a SEPA IBAN. Worst case: open the contract now, pay the first bill by card/transfer, add the IBAN later.
Start with 6 kVA for most apartments. Go 9–12 kVA if you’ve got electric heating + induction + hot-water tank running together or a larger chalet. If breakers trip, upgrade; if you’re nowhere near the limit, downgrade to cut fixed charges.
Base: one flat price—best if your usage is spread through the day.
HP/HC: cheaper 8 off-peak hours daily—worth it if you can shift hot water/heating/laundry to night hours. Not a night owl? Choose Base.
Have this ready:
PDL/PRM (14-digit meter ID)
Exact address + move-in date
Chosen puissance (e.g., 6 kVA) and tariff (Base or HP/HC)
Email, mobile, and EUR IBAN for SEPA Direct Debit
Optional: a current meter reading (nice to have; Linky can often be read remotely).
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