Switching guide
How to switch to Octopus Energy
Switching supplier is mostly a billing and account change, not a physical change to your gas or electricity supply. The important part is choosing the right tariff and keeping good handover readings, not rushing through the quote page.
Last reviewed 21 June 2026.
Quick answers
Before you start the Octopus switch
How quickly can it happen?
Octopus says it will usually switch you within three working days. Ofgem and Citizens Advice use the wider five-working-day standard, or you can ask for a later date.
Will you need to tell the old supplier?
Usually no. The new supplier normally handles the switch, but keep handover readings and check the old supplier sends the final bill within six weeks.
When does the referral credit arrive?
Octopus says the £50 credit is added after the switch is complete and the first month's Direct Debit has been successfully taken.
Octopus switching FAQ, Ofgem switching guidance, Citizens Advice switching guidance and Octopus referral guidance.
Check your current position first
Before opening a quote, find a recent bill and note your annual kWh usage, current supplier, payment method, meter type and tariff end date. If you are on a fixed deal, check for exit fees and remember that energy customers can usually leave a fixed tariff in the final 49 days without paying exit fees.
If you have a smart meter, solar export, Economy 7, an EV, a heat pump or a battery, check the tariff details more carefully. Some Octopus tariffs depend on compatible smart meters, eligible devices, half-hourly readings or a specific import/export setup.
Get an Octopus quote
Enter your postcode and usage details on the Octopus signup flow. If you want to use the referral, start from the referral page when you are ready to switch so the referral path is clear. The referral gives both accounts £50 account credit if the switch qualifies, but it should not be the reason you ignore tariff fit.
Choose the tariff deliberately
Flexible Octopus is the standard variable tariff. Smart tariffs such as Agile, Tracker, Go, Intelligent Octopus Go and Cosy can be better for the right household, but they come with different risks, eligibility checks and usage patterns. If you are unsure, use the tariff quiz, the postcode comparison tool or the tariff guides before signing up.
Submit the switch request
You will normally need your name, address, email, Direct Debit details and current supplier. Octopus or your new supplier then contacts the old supplier. You do not usually need to tell the old supplier you are leaving, unless there is a separate problem such as debt, a blocked switch or a fixed-tariff query.
Octopus says it usually switches customers within three working days. Ofgem says a domestic switch should take up to five working days unless you ask for a later date, and Citizens Advice explains the 14-day cooling-off choice.
Take readings and keep the final bill
Take meter readings around the switch date and keep a copy. Your old supplier should send a final bill within six weeks. If your old account is in credit, Citizens Advice says the supplier must refund it within 10 working days of sending the final bill.
The referral credit is separate from the old supplier's final bill. Octopus says the £50 credit is added after the switch completes and the first month's Direct Debit has been successfully taken. It typically takes around four weeks from joining, although delays can make it longer.
Common worries
What evidence should I keep?
Keep a copy of the Octopus quote, the tariff terms, opening meter readings, any smart meter or export-register screenshots and the old supplier's final bill. For smart tariffs, third-party app screenshots can explain what happened, but Octopus billing depends on compatible smart meters, half-hourly readings and tariff terms.
What if I am already an Octopus customer?
Octopus's affiliate guidance excludes existing Octopus customers from this referral switch route. If you are already with Octopus, use your Octopus account or contact Octopus directly about tariff changes and account-specific offers rather than starting a new switch through a referral link.
Will my energy get cut off during the switch?
No. Your gas and electricity still come through the same pipes and wires. Switching supplier changes who bills you and which tariff you are on. It should not interrupt the physical supply to your home.
Am I locked into a contract?
It depends on the tariff you choose. Flexible tariffs normally have no exit fee, while fixed and some specialist tariffs can have their own term and fee rules. Check the quote page and tariff terms before agreeing, especially if you may move home, sell an EV or change your heating setup during the term.
What about my old supplier's final bill?
Your old supplier bills you up to the switch date. A clear meter reading around the handover helps avoid estimates. If you owe money, you still need to pay the final bill. If the old account is in credit, the old supplier should refund it after the final bill.
I'm on a fixed deal with my current supplier
Check the end date, exit fees and whether you are inside the final 49 days. Then compare Octopus rates for your postcode rather than relying on national averages. If the possible saving is small, it may be better to wait until the fix is closer to ending.
Do I need a smart meter?
Not for every Octopus tariff. You can usually join on a standard tariff without a smart meter, but smart tariffs need reliable smart readings and sometimes eligible EV or charger integrations. If you already have a smart meter, check whether it should keep working in smart mode after the switch.
What if I rent my home?
If you are responsible for the energy account and pay the supplier directly, you can usually choose the supplier. If energy is included in the rent or the account is in the landlord's name, you may not be able to switch it yourself. Check the tenancy agreement before changing meters or agreeing to equipment work.
Ready to compare properly?
If Octopus still looks like a good fit after those checks, start from the referral-code page so the referral route is clear. If you are still unsure, compare tariffs first and come back when you are ready.