The system of energy supply in Switzerland can seem confusing to newly arrived expats, but it is in fact pretty simple. Here’s what you need to know about how utilities operate in Switzerland and how to sign up with an energy supplier.
The energy market in Switzerland is semi-privatised, meaning that each canton or city has its own provider, and private companies compete to win contracts in each area.
Although this has resulted in a dizzying array of energy companies operating in the alpine nation - upwards of 600 at the last count! - it actually makes life rather simple: as a private household, you will only deal with the local power company in your area, and you cannot switch unless you move to an area covered by a different supplier.
Typically, the company that provides your electricity and gas also provides your water, so most of your utilities are actually controlled by the same supplier.
The Swiss government has in the past tried to simplify the system and fully liberalise the energy market for private households. However, the proposal has been defeated several times at referendums, so it seems the Swiss population is actually content with the system as it is. There is some evidence that the system has helped to keep costs low while other countries have seen rapid price increases over the past few years.
There are hundreds of energy suppliers in Switzerland, each of which serves a specific area - this may just be a part of a city or a whole canton, depending on where you are located.
We can’t list all 600 suppliers, but here are some of the key ones:
If you’re not sure who supplies energy in your area, you should contact your municipality or search online.
How you should go about getting connected with an energy supplier in Switzerland depends on whether you’re buying a new home, moving into an existing home, or if you’re renting.
If you have bought a new home that is not already connected to the electricity and gas supply, you should contact your local provider and arrange for this to be set up.
Note that while the process is relatively simple, it can take several weeks to finalise, so you should start making enquiries as soon as possible.
If you have bought a house that is already connected to the local energy supply, you’ll only need to contact your local energy supplier and ask them to put the connection in your name. This ensures that all bills are addressed to you.
You may be asked to provide the name of the property’s previous owner, so it’s a good idea to have this to hand.
If you are renting a house or apartment in Switzerland, you will not usually manage your utilities directly. Instead, they will be paid for by your landlord and included in your rent. Check your rental contract to see exactly what is and isn’t covered by the rent.
If your utilities are not covered by your rent, again you will need to register with your local energy supplier. You may be asked for the name of the previous tenant.
No matter whether you’re renting or own your own home, to get signed up with an energy supplier, you will need to provide:
You will typically pay for your energy supply via monthly direct debits. Once per year, you will also receive an annual statement that lays out your payments and energy usage. If you have used more or less energy than expected, you may see your monthly payments go up or down.
Although you are not allowed to choose your own supplier in Switzerland, you do generally have a good deal of choice over your energy package and tariff. Most companies will offer a range of tariffs, such as:
On top of this, most power companies will also offer competitive prices on additional energy products such as:
The semi-privatised nature of the Swiss energy market means that you cannot freely switch between suppliers. The only time you can change your energy supplier is if you move to a new address served by a different company.
If this is the case, you should contact your previous supplier to let them know that you are leaving. You can then provide meter readings on your move-out date to ensure that all your bills are finalised.
Energy consumed in Switzerland primarily comes from three main sources:
Though almost all power produced in Switzerland is renewable, 70% of the energy used is imported. By 2050, Switzerland is seeking to free itself from dependence on fossil fuels and become climate-neutral.
Electricity in Switzerland is mainly produced with renewable energy. Due to the large number of rivers and lakes in Switzerland, hydroelectric power is the most common form of generation, and the country is home to 682 hydroelectric power stations and 220 dams - the highest density in the world.
According to the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and the Federal Statistical Office, as of 2022, domestic electricity production in Switzerland primarily comes from three sources:
According to Moneyland.ch, the average price of electricity in Switzerland in 2025 is 29 rappen (cents) per kilowatt-hour, but there are huge regional variations depending on where you live.
The price that you pay may be higher, since your electricity bill also includes some additional elements, namely:
Switzerland uses the same voltage as many other European countries: 230V/50 Hz. If your home country uses a different voltage, you may need a power plug adaptor to ensure your devices work.
Switzerland uses Type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs. Type C plugs also fit in Type J sockets, which are the most common type of electrical socket across Switzerland.