How to Set Up Electricity, Gas and Water in France After Signing Your Lease (First 72 Hours)

Setting up utilities in France after signing a lease is more administrative than technical, but the details matter. The wrong sequence, a missed meter reading, or a delayed account transfer can mean billing disputes or a week without electricity. This guide covers electricity, gas, and water in the right order, with the specific information you need for each step. For the broader context of your first weeks in France, see our first month checklist and our guide to understanding a French lease.

Start With Electricity: The Priority Setup

Electricity is your first utility to set up because almost everything else depends on it. In France, electricity service is provided through EDF as the default supplier, but you can choose an alternative provider on the open market (marche libre). For most Americans arriving in France, EDF is the simplest starting point: the enrollment process is fully online, available in French with English language options on parts of the site, and activation typically happens within 48 hours for an existing active meter.

What you need to set up electricity: the address of the apartment, the PDL (Point de Livraison) number which identifies your meter and should be in your lease or provided by your landlord, and your meter reading (releve) at the time of move-in. The move-in meter reading is critical. Record it on your move-in day and keep it documented alongside your etat des lieux. For the full move-in inspection process and how meter readings protect your deposit, see our security deposit guide. It protects you from being billed for your predecessor's consumption.

In our experience, the most common electricity billing issue for Americans is a PDL number entered incorrectly, which results in the account being set up for the wrong meter. Confirm the PDL number from your lease and double-check it before completing your enrollment.

Gas: Check Whether You Have It First

Not all French apartments have gas. Many modern buildings are entirely electric, and gas is more common in older buildings, particularly for cooking or collective heating systems. Check your lease or ask your landlord before starting the gas setup process.

If you have individual gas, the setup process is similar to electricity: you need the PCE (Point de Comptage et d'Estimation) number, a move-in meter reading, and an account with a gas supplier. Engie is the historical default supplier, and the enrollment process is online. As with electricity, record your gas meter reading on move-in day.

If your building has collective gas heating (chauffage collectif), utility setup for heating is handled through the building's copropriete (owners association) or the property manager. Your monthly lease charges typically include a provision for collective heating. Confirm with your landlord which heating costs are included in your charges.

Water: Usually Simpler Than You Expect

In most French apartments, water is included in the monthly charges or handled by the building management, particularly in apartments within larger buildings (immeubles en copropriete). Individual water meters are more common in houses and smaller buildings.

If you have an individual water meter, record the reading on move-in day and contact your local water provider (Veolia or Suez in most major French cities) to transfer the account. If water is included in your charges, confirm this with your landlord and do not try to set up a separate account.

What to Do About Internet

Internet setup deserves separate planning. French fiber installations frequently take two to four weeks from order to active connection, particularly if a technician visit is required. Order your internet plan on or before move-in day. For the best approach to internet in France, including what to do while you wait and which providers are currently most reliable, see our internet setup guide. For a phone plan to bridge the gap while your home internet is being installed, see our French phone plan guide. When an enrollment stalls or a bill makes no sense, a consulting call will tell you which provider process actually applies.

The Sequence That Avoids Problems

The right order: electricity first, gas second if applicable, water registration if you have an individual meter, then internet. Record every meter reading with a timestamp on move-in day. Keep your PDL and PCE numbers accessible. They will be needed for every provider interaction.

Set up direct debit (prelevement automatique) for each utility as soon as your French bank account is active. Utility providers in France prefer direct debit. Manual payment by check or bank transfer adds administrative overhead and increases the risk of a missed payment. See our guide to French bank accounts for Americans for banking setup options.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not recording meter readings at move-in is the most costly oversight. If your predecessor's final meter reading does not match your move-in reading, you can be billed for their consumption. The utility provider will often require documented proof of your move-in reading to correct the billing. Without it, resolution takes significantly longer.

Waiting to set up internet until after you move in adds unnecessary delay. The installation process does not start until you place the order. Every day between move-in and internet order is a day added to your wait for a connected home. Order your internet plan before you sign the lease if possible.

Practical Checklist

• Identify your PDL (electricity) and PCE (gas) numbers from your lease before move-in

• Record electricity and gas meter readings with timestamps on move-in day

• Set up your EDF electricity account online before or on move-in day

• Set up Engie or equivalent gas account if you have individual gas

• Confirm whether water is individual or included in charges

• Order your internet plan on or before move-in day

• Set up direct debit for utilities once your French bank account is active

• Keep utility account numbers in an accessible location for future reference

When to Get Help

Utility setup in French requires reading and responding to French-language documentation, portals, and eventually customer service.

FAQ

Can I set up utilities in France without a French bank account? You can initiate most utility accounts without a French bank account, paying by credit card initially. However, French utility providers strongly prefer direct debit (prelevement automatique) and may charge a fee for alternative payment methods. Set up your French bank account as a priority and switch to direct debit once it is active. See our guide to French banking for Americans.

What is a PDL number and where do I find it? PDL stands for Point de Livraison, the reference number that identifies your specific electricity meter in France. It is a 14-digit number. You will find it on previous electricity bills for the address if available, in your lease if the landlord has provided it, or on the physical meter itself. Your landlord or agency should provide it at move-in. It is required to set up your electricity account with any supplier.

How long does it take to activate electricity in France? For an apartment with an existing active meter, activation typically takes 24 to 48 hours after completing your online enrollment with EDF or an alternative supplier. If the meter has been inactive for an extended period, a technical visit may be required, which can take longer. Ask your landlord whether the meter has been recently active before moving in.

What should I do if there is no electricity when I arrive? If the meter is disconnected, contact EDF or the previous supplier to request reconnection. You will need the PDL number and proof of your lease. Emergency reconnection is possible but may take up to 48 hours. Ask your landlord to confirm the electricity status before your move-in date to avoid arriving to a dark apartment.

Conclusion

Utilities setup in France is systematic and manageable once you have the right numbers and the right sequence. Record your meter readings on move-in day, set up accounts promptly, and order internet before you need it.

If an enrollment stalls or a bill arrives that makes no sense, a consulting call will tell you which provider process actually applies.