Switching before a fixed deal ends
Yes, in most cases. Ofgem's rules mean you can usually switch supplier during the final 49 days of a fixed deal without paying an exit fee, even if you originally signed up for a longer term. Outside that window, switching early is still possible, but your current supplier may charge a fee. This guide explains how the 49-day rule works, what exit fees typically cost, and how to check where you stand on your own contract.
The 49-day rule
Suppliers cannot charge an exit fee if you switch away during the last 49 calendar days of a fixed-term contract. Your supplier is required to write to you before this window opens, usually between 42 and 49 days before your contract ends, confirming your exact end date and that you're free to switch without a penalty. If you've already had that letter or email, you're inside the window now.
What an exit fee actually is
An exit fee, sometimes called an early termination fee, is a charge some fixed-term tariffs apply if you leave before the end date. It exists because your supplier buys energy in advance based on how long they expect to keep you as a customer, and leaving early disrupts that. Not every tariff has one. Variable tariffs typically don't, since there's no fixed term to break. Where a fee does apply, it's commonly somewhere in the £25 to £75 range per fuel, though the exact amount depends entirely on your supplier and tariff, so check your contract or online account rather than assuming a figure.
Dual fuel usually means two fees, not one
If you're on a dual fuel contract with an exit fee, that fee usually applies separately to gas and electricity. A tariff quoting a "£50 exit fee" may mean £50 for each fuel, £100 in total, if you leave both at once. Read the wording on your tariff details rather than the headline number alone.
Finding your contract end date
Your most recent bill should show your tariff name and, for fixed deals, the end date. If it doesn't, your online account or app usually will. If you can't find it either way, your supplier can confirm it directly. It's worth checking now rather than waiting for the reminder letter, since knowing your date in advance means you can start comparing tariffs before the window opens rather than after.
Weighing the fee against the saving
If you're outside the 49-day window and thinking about switching anyway, the principle is straightforward: compare what you'd pay in exit fees against what you'd save over the rest of your current term by moving now. As of July 2026, the cheapest available 12-month fixed tariffs are running around £100 a year below the current Ofgem price cap in the comparisons we've checked. If your current fixed rate is close to or above that cap, a modest exit fee can still be worth paying. If your current fix is already well below the cap, waiting out the term is more likely to make sense. See live tariffs at your postcode to check what's actually available before deciding either way.
What happens if you do nothing
If you don't switch when your fixed deal ends, you're usually moved onto your supplier's standard variable tariff automatically. Standard variable tariffs sit at or below the Ofgem price cap, but they're rarely the cheapest option available, which is exactly the gap our guide on the energy loyalty penalty covers in more detail.