Background information

Since 2018, the government has helped millions of households with modest revenues to pay their electricity, gas, or heating oil bills.

The voucher was created by Article 201 of Law n°2015-922, relating to the green growth, and energy transition. Since May 2016, the government experimented with the measure in a pilot programme involving four departments. In 2018, the voucher replaced the social tariffs for natural gas, solidarity tariffs, and electricity tariffs across France.

The voucher are sent automatically to citizens either by mail or online.

Content of measure

A total of 600 million euros will be spent on energy vouchers. Each household will receive around €152. This budget has not increased since 2019. The minimum amount for each voucher is of €48 and can go up to €277. Eligible individuals who are not automatically identified by the authorities can request vouchers. Previously, the vouchers could be used to pay for renovations aiming to increase the energy efficiency of the household, but, this is no longer the case.

Eligible households are defined as beneficiaries if their 2024 reference taxable income per consumption unit of less than €11,000. The list of eligible households is therefore based on the electricity supply point number of the property, the reference taxable income of the tax household of the electricity supply contract holder, and the household composition determined in consumption units.

Additionally, Law n°2025-127 of the 14 February 2025, has introduced specific allowances for households living in accommodation with an approved personalised housing allowance. The law also includes covers individuals in rental intermediation housing (where a third party acts as a guarantor for renters experiencing financial difficulties), as well as those in independent living facilities or nursing homes. In these three cases, the establishments receive the voucher directly, and deduct the amount from the monthly rent. The voucher in this case is on average around €192.

Use of measure

Around 3.8 million households, an equivalent to 6 million citizens, will be covered in 2026. This represents an increase compared to 2025. Indeed, an additional 700,000 households will be covered. However, it is important to note that the previous year, the voucher's coverage had been reduced.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	People on social benefits People on low incomes

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Public support service providers	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Social partners were not involved.

Views and reactions

Social partners did not react to the measure.

Sources

• 22 September 2020: Le chèque énergie - Édition 2020 des Minima sociaux et prestations sociales (drees.solidarites-sante.gouv.fr)
• 08 November 2025: Chèque énergie : deux associations demandent une revalorisation de l'aide et un élargissement du nombre de bénéficiaires (www.franceinfo.fr)
• 01 April 2026: Comment bénéficier du chèque énergie ? (www.economie.gouv.fr)
• 02 April 2026: Chèque énergie 2026 : envoi des chèques et ouverture du guichet de demande au 1er avril (www.economie.gouv.fr)
• 13 May 2026: Crise énergétique : envoi anticipé du chèque énergie 2026 (www.info.gouv.fr)