Under ANRE's POSF regulation, the switch takes effect on the first day after 24 hours from the start of the procedure. No interruption, no new meter.
Switching and the new contract are free, and fees for the procedure are prohibited. A fixed-price, fixed-term contract may carry an exit fee.
In July 2026 the ten cheapest electricity offers for Bucharest on ANRE's comparator ranged from 1.11 to 1.43 lei/kWh (HotNews).
Electricity and gas contracts in Romania: the short answer
Every home in Romania deals with two kinds of energy company. The distributor owns the wires or pipes in your area and connects you; you cannot choose it. The supplier sells you the energy and sends the bill; you can choose it and change it whenever you want.
Switching supplier is free and fast. Under ANRE's regulation for the online switching platform (POSF), the switch takes effect on the first day after 24 hours from the moment the new supplier starts the procedure, and no one may charge you for it. You compare offers on ANRE's comparator at posf.ro, sign with the new supplier, and the old contract ends on the switch date.
In plain words: the network is fixed, the supplier is your choice. Compare on posf.ro, sign with the one you want, and the change happens in about a day, at no cost.
Foreign owners follow the same rules. What you need is an identity document, proof that you own or may use the home, and a way to receive and pay the bills.
Distributor or supplier: who does what
| Distributor (operator de distribuție) | Supplier (furnizor) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Owns and maintains the network, connects the home, reads or manages the meter, handles outages | Sells you the energy, issues the bill, handles your contract |
| Electricity, Bucharest and Ilfov | Rețele Electrice Muntenia | Any licensed supplier you choose |
| Gas, most of Ilfov | Distrigaz Sud Rețele (other operators in some areas) | Any licensed supplier you choose |
| Can you choose it? | No, it depends on where the home is | Yes, and you can change it whenever you want |
| What you sign | Connection documents, when the home is first connected | A supply contract |
Network tariffs are regulated and appear on your bill whichever supplier you use. The new connection itself (technical permit, connection certificate) is covered in our guide to utility connections for a villa in Ilfov.
The documents you need
For a household electricity supply contract, the supply rules as reproduced in suppliers' general terms require:
- A request for the contract with your contact details, a statement that the home is used only for household purposes, and the offer you chose.
- An identity document, shown in original with a copy. For a foreign owner, a passport or an EU identity card.
- Proof of ownership or right of use of the home, such as the sale contract or a lease. If you do not yet hold a final document but declare in writing that you use the home legally, the supplier may sign a contract for a limited period of up to one year, which can be extended.
In practice, also have ready the consumption point code (POD for electricity, CLC for gas) and a meter reading on the day you take over. Both appear on the previous owner's or the developer's bill. Ask the supplier for its own list in writing: details differ.
For foreign owners: what is different
The rules are the same; the practical side needs planning.
- Identity: a passport is enough as an identity document. Ask the supplier whether it also needs a Romanian tax number for billing.
- Language: contracts and bills are in Romanian. Ask for an English summary of the main terms or have your lawyer read them.
- Signing from abroad: many suppliers sign online through POSF or their own platform. If someone signs for you, use a power of attorney; our guide to powers of attorney in Romania explains the format.
- Paying: set up direct debit or online payment. A Romanian account makes it simpler; see our guide to opening a bank account as a non-resident.
- Bills and notices: give an email address and, if possible, a local contact who can let a technician in.
Choosing an offer: the ANRE comparator
The household price cap for electricity ended on 1 July 2025, so the price now depends on the offer you choose. ANRE publishes suppliers' standard offers on its comparator at posf.ro, by region.
In July 2026, HotNews counted more than 80 standard offers for Bucharest on the comparator. The ten cheapest ranged from 1.11 to 1.43 lei/kWh; the most expensive was 1.94 lei/kWh. Offers change often, so check on the day you decide.
The network is fixed, the supplier is your choice, and the switch happens in about a day, at no cost.
What to compare, beyond the headline price:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fixed or variable price, and for how long | A fixed price protects you for a period; a variable one follows the market |
| Contract length | Fixed-term contracts with a fixed price may carry an early termination fee |
| Validity of the offer | Many offers must be signed by a date and apply the price until another date |
| What the price includes | Compare like with like: energy, network tariffs, taxes, VAT |
| Billing and payment | Monthly bills, self-reading, direct debit, online account |
| The supplier itself | Check that its ANRE licence is valid and read recent news; HotNews flagged one low-priced supplier whose licence ANRE had withdrawn, a decision suspended in court |
For gas, households pay the lower of the contract price and a capped price under Emergency Ordinance 12/2026, until 31 March 2027. Our comparison of heat pumps and gas sets out the current gas and electricity prices side by side.
Switching supplier, step by step
- Read your current contract: end date, notice terms and any early termination fee for a fixed-price, fixed-term contract.
- Compare offers on posf.ro for your region and consumption.
- Sign with the new supplier, on POSF or directly with it. You do not need to contact the old supplier: the contract with it ends by your unilateral termination, effective on the switch date.
- Submit a meter reading at the start of the procedure, as the platform asks.
- Wait about a day. The switch takes effect on the first day after 24 hours from the start; if a deadline falls on a non-working day, it moves to the next working day. You are notified within 24 hours.
- Pay the final bill from the old supplier. Debts under the old contract remain payable.
There is no physical change at the home: same meter, same network, no interruption. Switching is free, and any fee for starting or completing the procedure is prohibited.
Prosumer basics: solar panels and your contract
If you install solar panels, you become a prosumer: you take energy from the network and deliver your surplus to it. That changes your paperwork, not your supplier.
- The installer: design and installation by an ANRE-authorised company.
- The distributor: approves the connection of the plant and fits a bidirectional meter.
- The supplier: you sign a contract or addendum for the energy you deliver. Under Law 160/2026, household prosumers up to 200 kW have their surplus offset against energy taken from the network until 31 December 2030; network charges still apply.
The full rules are in our guide to solar panels on a villa.
Checklist: the day you take the keys
- Photograph both meters with the readings and the date.
- Get the POD and CLC codes from the last bill of the developer or previous owner.
- Choose your offers on posf.ro for electricity and gas.
- Sign both supply contracts in your name, with ID and proof of ownership or use.
- Set up payment and an email for bills.
- Keep the distributor's emergency number for outages and gas leaks.
- Put a reminder for the end date of any fixed-price period.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a distributor and a supplier in Romania?
The distributor owns the network and connects your home; it is fixed by location. The supplier sells you the energy and bills you; you choose it. In Bucharest and Ilfov, the electricity distributor is Rețele Electrice Muntenia, and gas is distributed in most of Ilfov by Distrigaz Sud Rețele.
How long does it take to switch supplier in Romania?
The switch takes effect on the first day after 24 hours from the moment the new supplier starts the procedure on ANRE's platform. There is no interruption of supply and no change to the meter.
Does switching supplier cost anything?
No. Switching and signing the new contract are free, and fees for starting or completing the procedure are prohibited. A fixed-term, fixed-price contract may still carry an early termination fee, so read it first.
Can a foreigner sign an electricity contract in Romania?
Yes. You need an identity document such as a passport, proof of ownership or right of use of the home, and a contract request. You can sign online, or through a representative with a power of attorney.
Where do I compare electricity and gas prices in Romania?
On ANRE's official comparator at posf.ro, which lists suppliers' standard offers by region. In July 2026 the ten cheapest electricity offers in Bucharest ranged from 1.11 to 1.43 lei/kWh.
The bottom line
Energy contracts in Romania are simpler than they look. The network company is fixed; the supplier is a choice you can revisit at any time, for free, in about a day. Compare on posf.ro, read the fine print on fixed prices, and keep the paperwork in your own name from the first day.
If you are buying a villa near Bucharest, with us or anywhere else, book a 30-minute call with me. We will go through the utilities and the running costs before you sign.
Moti Azulay, Compass Group Romania
Sources: ANRE regulation on the online supplier-switching platform (POSF), 26 January 2022, art. 35–45 (Lege5) · ANRE price comparator (posf.ro) · HotNews: cheapest electricity offers in Bucharest, July 2026 · Axpo Romania: general contracting conditions, art. 23 (documents for household clients) · Ghidul Legal: switching supplier through POSF (8 October 2026)
This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. The rules are correct as of 22 October 2026. Offers and prices change often; check posf.ro and your contract before you decide.
Now you know more.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult local professionals before any transaction.
