What information do I need to switch?

You'll need your address, current energy supplier name, and a payment method (bank details for direct debit). A recent meter reading is helpful but optional. You don't need your account number with your old supplier — Octopus can look it up. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.

Will there be any gap in my energy supply?

Absolutely not. Your gas and electricity continue flowing without any interruption. The switch is purely administrative — it changes who bills you, not who delivers the energy. The physical infrastructure (pipes, wires, meters) stays exactly the same.

Can I change my mind after switching?

Yes. You have a 14-day cooling-off period after signing up, during which you can cancel without any penalty. Even after the cooling-off period, Octopus doesn't charge exit fees on their variable tariffs, so you can leave at any time.

What about exit fees from my current supplier?

If you're on a variable or standard tariff with your current supplier, there are usually no exit fees. If you're on a fixed-term contract, check your terms — there may be an early termination charge. The £50 referral credit often more than covers any small exit fees. Octopus Energy themselves don't charge exit fees on variable tariffs.

Can I switch if I rent my home?

Yes. If you pay your energy bills directly (your name is on the bill), you have the legal right to switch suppliers without your landlord's permission. If energy is included in your rent, you'd need to discuss it with your landlord first.

What happens with my smart meter when I switch?

If you have a SMETS2 smart meter, it continues working in smart mode immediately with Octopus. SMETS1 meters may temporarily lose some smart features but Octopus is working on full compatibility. If you don't have a smart meter, Octopus will install one for free — it's needed for smart tariffs like Agile, Tracker, and Intelligent Go.

Can I switch if I'm on a prepayment meter?

Yes. Octopus Energy accepts customers with prepayment meters. They can also arrange to switch you to a credit meter for free, which gives you access to all tariffs including the smart options. If you have a smart prepayment meter, the conversion can be done remotely.

How to Switch to Octopus Energy 2026 — Step-by-Step Guide

~5 minutes

Sign-up time

Online, no phone calls needed

2–3 days

Switch completes

Working days, fully managed

£0

Cost to switch

Free, plus £50 credit

8 Steps to Switch

Click our referral link

Use our referral link to head to the Octopus Energy website. Your £50 credit is automatically attached to your sign-up — there's nothing extra to enter. The link takes you straight to the Octopus Energy sign-up page.

Enter your postcode

Octopus checks availability in your area and identifies your local electricity and gas distribution networks. This determines the exact rates available to you. It takes about 10 seconds.

Choose your tariff

Select from the available tariff options. Most new customers start on Flexible Octopus (the standard variable rate). You can switch to smart tariffs like Agile, Tracker, or Intelligent Go once you have a smart meter — all for free, any time.

Provide your details

Enter your name, email, address, and current energy supplier. If you have a recent meter reading, enter it (though it's optional — Octopus can estimate). You'll also set up your payment method. This takes about 3 minutes.

Octopus handles the switch

Once you've submitted, Octopus contacts your old supplier and manages the entire transfer. You don't need to call your old supplier or do anything else. Your energy supply continues uninterrupted throughout.

Switch completes in 2–3 working days

The switch typically completes within 2–3 working days. You'll receive an email confirmation when it's done. From this point, Octopus Energy is your energy supplier and all usage is billed through them.

Set up your account

Download the Octopus Energy app (iOS/Android), explore your dashboard, and set up your direct debit. If you want a smart meter, you can request a free installation through the app. This unlocks access to all smart tariffs.

Enjoy your £50 credit

The £50 referral credit appears on your account within a few days of the switch completing. It's applied to your energy bills automatically — gas, electricity, or both. No minimum spend, no expiry.

Start Your Switch Now

Choosing Your Tariff

At step 3, you'll choose your initial tariff. Don't worry about getting this perfect — you can switch between Octopus tariffs for free at any time. Here's a quick guide:

Flexible Octopus — the safe default. Standard variable rate (~27p/kWh electricity, ~6p/kWh gas), no smart meter needed
Agile Octopus — half-hourly pricing, great for tech-savvy flexible users
Octopus Tracker — daily wholesale price, simple and transparent
Intelligent Go — EV owners save 68% on charging
Cosy Octopus — heat pump owners save £219/year vs gas
Octopus Flux — solar + battery import/export optimisation

See our full tariff comparison for detailed pricing and features.

14-Day Cooling-Off Period

After signing up, you have a 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel the switch with no penalty whatsoever. This is a legal requirement for all energy suppliers in the UK, and Octopus fully honours it. Even after the cooling-off period, Octopus doesn't charge exit fees on their variable tariffs — you can leave any time.

Special Cases

🏠

Renters

If your name is on the energy bill, you can switch without your landlord's permission. It's your legal right.

🔑

Prepayment meters

Octopus accepts prepayment meter customers and can switch you to a credit meter for free if you prefer.

⏰

Economy 7 / 10

If you're on an Economy 7 or 10 tariff, Octopus can accommodate multi-rate meters. Smart tariffs may offer even better value.

What to Expect After Switching

Once your switch is complete, here's what you can expect:

First bill — your opening meter reading from the switch date is used to calculate your first bill accurately
App access — the Octopus Energy app gives you real-time usage data (with a smart meter), billing history, and tariff management
Smart meter — if you want one, book a free installation through the app to unlock Agile, Tracker, and other smart tariffs
Octoplus — sign up for free rewards, earn points for off-peak usage, and get bill discounts
Refer friends — you'll get your own referral link to share, earning £50 credit for each person who switches

Read our full Octopus Energy review for more on the customer experience, or check the FAQ section for answers to common questions.

How to Switch to Octopus Energy