The rapid switch between operators also becomes a reality in Italy: it only concerns domestic customers, non-defaulters and only for electricity. The entire procedure can actually take up to five days
From December, changing electricity supplier will be much quicker, even in Italy. The technical process of switching in 24 working hours, which Brussels had foreseen from 1 January 2026, will come into force in our country from December 1, 2026. But be careful: yes switch in 24 hours will not affect all customers or all energy supplies. The innovation will be limited to domestic electricity contracts (gas remains excluded) and, in practice, doing the math, the entire procedure may require up to approximately five working dayshowever much less than the three weeks expected today.
Change of electricity supplier in 24 hours: why Europe is pushing for fast switching
Rapid supplier switching is not just a matter of convenience for consumers. There is a precise logic behind the reform: strengthen competition in the energy market, with consequences on bills and transparency. If a customer can change provider almost immediately, suppliers are forced to offer more competitive offers to avoid losing customers quickly. The principle is the same that has existed for years in the telecommunications sector. In fact, since 2012, number portability allows you to quickly change telephone operator while maintaining the same number. Now it is replicated in the energy market. In some European countries the system is already operational. Germany, for example, introduced 24-hour supplier switching as early as June 2025.
Who will be able to change manager in one day: customers excluded
The news will not apply to everyone, however. First of all, it fast switch it will only concern i domestic customerstherefore families. Other entities such as small and medium-sized businesses remain excluded, at least for the moment, despite the fact that the legislative decree transposing the European directive had envisaged a wider audience. Another fundamental condition concerns i payments. Only non-defaulting customers will be able to access the rapid procedure. The exclusion occurs only in cases of serious and prolonged arrearswhen the seller has already requested the suspension of supply or has initiated a compensation request under the so-called “energy tourism”i.e. changing operator to avoid paying outstanding bills. Finally, at least in this first phase, the measure will concern only electricity. Gas supplies remain excluded from the new rapid exchange system.
Changing light supplier: how it works and how long it will really take
Even if we talk about changing suppliers in 24 hours, in practice the process will take a few more days. In fact, before starting the switch, a preliminary check is carried out on the customer and supply data. A check that serves above all to control situations of arrears. The check can take up to two working days. In some cases, when multiple electricity system operators are involved in the transition, an additional two days of technical checks may be necessary. Only after these checks does the actual change of supplier begin, which according to the new rules must be completed within one working day. In essence, even if the technical phase will last 24 hours, the entire procedure may take up to approximately five business daysHowever, a significant improvement compared to today’s weeks, even three. For consumers this means being able to change operator much more quickly, taking advantage of the most convenient offers on the market and reacting more quickly to changes in energy prices.
