For over a decade, France’s green-fluorescent Linky smart meter has been quietly rolling out to homes across the country. To date, more than 37 million units are already installed, according to the French energy regulator (CRE). Despite its widespread adoption, roughly 2 million households still haven’t welcomed the device into their homes.
Many of the holdouts voice concerns about electromagnetic waves and potential health risks. Yet the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) has repeatedly ruled that Linky’s emissions are on par with everyday appliances like Wi-Fi routers and cordless phones. In other words, there’s no scientific proof of danger. Still, a vocal minority remains unconvinced—and that stance is about to become very costly.
The Latest Court Ruling You Can’t Ignore
In April, a long-running saga around two Parisian women who refused Linky installation finally met its end at the Cour de cassation, France’s highest civil court. The pair had sued Enedis (the national power distributor) on grounds that forcing a meter onto private property violated their ownership rights. The Paris Court of Appeal already sided with Enedis in June 2023, and the Cour de cassation just confirmed that decision in black-and-white.
The ruling makes it clear: you can’t legally block a Linky smart meter from your premises. That verdict now serves as binding precedent. What’s more, the judges leaned on a 2009 European directive obligating power distributors like Enedis to deploy intelligent metering systems nationwide. Simply put, there’s no wiggle room left—resisting installation is officially off-limits.
How Much It’ll Cost If You Still Refuse
Understanding the Upcoming Surcharge
Starting August 1, 2025, households clinging to outdated mechanical meters can expect sticker shock on their electricity bills. The CRE has approved an extra fee of €6.48 every two months for anyone bypassing Linky. That adds up to €38.88 per year, tacked right onto your electricity statement.
If you’ve gone a full year without providing at least one meter reading to Enedis over the past two years, your surcharge skyrockets to €63.72 annually. These fees are meant to cover the extra manpower and logistics of manual readings, inspections, and meter maintenance that smart technology would eliminate.
Until now, recalcitrant users enjoyed a grace period—but that window is slamming shut. Note, however, that households genuinely unable to host a Linky meter due to technical constraints remain exempt from these surcharges. If, for instance, your location makes Wi-Fi or data backhaul impossible, you won’t face the extra charge.
What It All Means and How to Prepare
Face it: the age of dodging smart meters is over. The legal, technical, and financial pieces all line up to make Linky installation inevitable for nearly every French household. But that’s not bad news—Linky brings advantages like real-time consumption tracking, better energy management, and the potential for greener, more efficient grids.
Want to stay ahead of the curve? Keep your energy account details up to date so Enedis can schedule your installation smoothly. If you have specific technical concerns—like unstable internet or meter placement—reach out early to your provider. That way, any genuine obstacles can be evaluated and addressed, ensuring you aren’t caught off guard by extra fees.
Lastly, if you’re a tech enthusiast or simply want to compare notes, consider joining online communities dedicated to smart home tech. Sharing tips on optimizing energy usage can help you turn Linky from just another meter into a powerful tool for saving money and reducing your carbon footprint.
