Energy aid: 2025 sees changes to France’s chèque énergie scheme

This year’s version of France’s ‘chèque énergie’ or energy vouchers will be sent to eligible households in November, a recent decree has confirmed.  

A delay to the vouchers being sent – they usually arrive in April – was caused by the late passage of the 2025 budget, and in April the government said the cheques would be available by November.

This has now been confirmed, with those eligible who sign up to receive this year’s version for the first time able to receive it in the months following.

The amount of the voucher based on household income - up to a maximum of €277 - will not change, nor will the eligibility criteria to receive it.

The main purpose of the vouchers, to pay towards a household’s energy costs, will remain the same, although further restrictions on how they can be used are now in place.

This is one of several changes to the scheme being introduced this year, which are intended to simplify both calculating the amount of the cheque and how it is used. 

Electronic version of cheque available

The first major change cited by the government is that an electronic version of the cheque is now available in the form of an ‘e-Chèque énergie’, following a change in July.

Previously only available via physical letter, the electronic version can be found in a user’s personal space on the Energy voucher website (sign in using your numéro fiscal and a password).

This also applies to unused sums from 2024’s version.

It works in the same format, providing a code that can be used to provide a discount to gas or electricity bills. 

It can also be divided to be spread across multiple bills, as opposed to towards one single bill. 

Users will need to log onto their space on the site and ask to receive the e-version of the voucher otherwise they will continue to receive it by post. 

Refined calculation method

Changes to how eligibility for the cheque was calculated in 2024 saw more than one million people who were eligible not automatically receive the voucher, meaning they had to request it. 

Prior to 2024, authorities used taxe d’habitation information to calculate eligibility, but changes to the tax meant this would no longer work.

This year, authorities will work directly with energy suppliers to cross-reference information and minimise the number of eligible people missed. Receipt of a voucher is income dependent.

You can use the official government simulator here if you think you are eligible for a voucher and can request it via the official website. 

Otherwise, cheques should be sent automatically. 

No longer used for renovations 

Previously the cheques could be used towards the cost of certain eco-friendly home renovations. 

However, from 2025 onwards they can only be used to pay towards a household’s energy bill (electricity, gas, fuel costs).

They can also be used to cover heating costs in certain establishments such as EHPADs (care homes) and social housing.