How much are utility bills in France? A guide to rental charges

For international students looking to live and study in France, there are lots of things to look into! What will you study? What city will you live in? When making your decision, one of the most important things to be aware of is budget. That includes the average costs of rentals as well as all rental charges and utilities like electricity, water, gas and internet. There are different types of charges to expect when it comes to the question: how much are utility bills in France? We will detail them in this article.

 

What charges are included in the rent in France?

 

For students in France, when you’re renting a flat or other type of accommodation, utility expenses may or may not be included in your monthly rent. It depends on your landlord and the type of contract you have with them. Keep reading for more detailed information about utility bills in France.

 

Rental charges and utilities included to the rent

 

Often, if you are renting an apartment from a property management company, utilities like electricity or gas will be included in your monthly rent. However, that doesn’t mean that you can use the utilities excessively. In fact, you may have to pay for any extra costs incurred.

 

Rental charges and utilities not included to the rent

 

In most cases in France, especially if you are renting an apartment from a private landlord, your utilities will not be included in your monthly rent. Often, and especially for shorter-term rentals, your landlord will maintain utility contracts under their name, and they will bill you either a fixed monthly amount, or a fluctuating amount based on usage. Sometimes, the landlord will ask renters to take over the utility contracts and pay the suppliers directly, especially if you have a classic annual or multi-annual rental contract. We’ll go into how to set up utilities accounts in France below.

 

How much are utility bills in France?

 

Average costs for utilities like electricity, gas, water and internet will vary depending on what city in France you are living in, as well as other factors, like the size of the apartment you’re renting, or, let’s say, the amount of electricity you consume. In Montpellier, for example, ranked the top city in France for students in 2024, average monthly utility costs for a large apartment are estimated at about €200, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage, and internet. Students in France subletting a room, or renting a smaller apartment can expect to pay less. 

 

It’s a good idea to get a head start on setting up utility accounts or contracts to avoid any delays once you move into your apartment. You may also want to consider comparing offers from different suppliers to secure the best rates and perhaps to explore suppliers that use renewable energy.

 

Electricity 

 

The main electricity suppliers in France are Engie, Alterna, Cdiscount Energie, TotalEnergies, Planète Oui, and generally your landlord will already be using one of them. In order to create an account or change the name on the existing account, you will need to either visit the supplier’s website or call them. You will need to provide them with all the necessary information, like full name, contact details, and banking info, as well as the name of the previous occupant (or whomever you are taking over the contract from). You will be billed either monthly or bimonthly, and your actual consumption will be verified twice annually, with adjustments made as needed (i.e. in the form of reimbursements or higher rates). There are many different factors and rates when it comes to electricity bills. In 2023, the average cost of electricity for French households is €1300 per year, or €110 per month, but this can vary due to a number of factors.

 

Gas

 

If your apartment in France is connected to a gas line, either you or your landlord will have to have an account with a gas supplier. The main gas suppliers in France are: Engie/GDF, ekWateur, Planète Oui, and EDF. Once you select a supplier to work with, you will need to share basic information like your name, contact details, and banking info, as well as the name of the previous tenant (or the landlord). Gas bills are generally sent every two months and include two types of charges: a fixed subscription charge (or “prix de l'abonnement” in French) and an energy consumption charge billed at a specific rate per kWh.

 

Water

 

In France, it’s rare that you would have to set up a water contract, but if you do, the main water suppliers are Veolia, Suez Environnement, and Saur Group. The process for setting up the account will be similar to the process for working with electricity or gas suppliers: contacting them online or by phone and sharing essential information. Generally, water bills in France are sent once annually and they are based on the property’s historical water consumption. A technician comes to read the water meter once a year, and billing adjustments are made if needed. 

 

Internet

 

For students, having a reliable and fast internet connection is essential. Sometimes, the property you are renting will already have an internet hookup. However, if you need to choose a supplier: The biggest internet providers in France are Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free, and their packages range, with average costs from about €30 to €79 per month. ADSL and fiber-optic options are available, and there are often package deals available if you bundle in cable television or your mobile phone, too.

 

Overall, students in France may need to set up their own accounts with suppliers for their utility bills. It’s just a question of being organized, getting in touch with suppliers, and sharing the right information to ensure that you’ll have electricity, heat, internet and more. Average costs will vary and it’s a good idea to compare suppliers to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

 

Studapart x Papernest: save up to €1000 on your rental charges and utilities not included to the rent! 

 

1. Free installation assistance and up to €480 in savings on your contracts ⚡️

For all accommodation booking with Studapart, our partner Papernest will help you with all the formalities, free of charge, and manage all your subscriptions (electricity, gas, internet box, cell phone package, etc.). Experts take stock of your energy contracts and find you the best current offers to save up to €480 on your bills 🙌. Say goodbye to the hours of stress, not found papers, unreachable customer services, Papernest takes care of everything!

 

2. Benefit from up to €1,000 in discount vouchers to furnish your home

When you sign up for a contract with Studapart x Papernest, you'll benefit from over 60 discount vouchers on major brands: Ikea, Maisons du monde, Leroy Merlin, Fnac Darty, Nature & Découverte, etc. Ideal for moving into your new home with complete peace of mind!