UK energy referral schemes compared
Most UK energy suppliers now pay around £50 each when a friend switches. Here is what each one pays, how and when, and the small print that stops people getting it.
Referral rewards by supplier
Amounts are what each person gets, the existing customer and the friend who switches, for a dual fuel home unless stated.
| Supplier | Each person gets | Paid as | When | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | £50 (£75 business) | Bill credit | After supply starts and the first monthly Direct Debit, about 4 weeks | No fixed cap; Octopus may review accounts referring more than 10 people a year |
| Scottish Power | £60 (£30 single fuel) | Bill credit | About 28 days after the switch | Highest standard reward we found |
| British Gas | £50 (£25 single fuel) | Amazon gift card | Within 3 months | Friend must not have been a customer in the last 3 months |
| E.ON Next | £50 | Voucher or bill credit | About 4 weeks after the first Direct Debit | Capped at 25 rewards or £1,500 in any 12 months; not via comparison sites or phone |
| EDF | £50 | Bill credit | Once both of you have made a payment | Runs time-limited boosts, e.g. £100 / £75 until 6 April 2026 |
| So Energy | £50 | Bill credit | Once supply starts | Not a customer in the last 12 months |
| Good Energy | £50 | Bill credit | After the first Direct Debit | Not a customer in the last 12 months |
| Fuse Energy | £25 per fuel (£50 dual) | Bill credit | After the first bill is paid | Code entered after signing up |
| Utility Warehouse | £50 | Bill credit | About 60 days after the switch | Friend must be a homeowner and take another UW service |
| Sainsbury's Energy | £30 | Voucher or bill credit | About 4 weeks after the first Direct Debit | Run by E.ON Next |
| Ecotricity | £10 to £25 | Bill credit or voucher | About 30 days after the switch | Amount depends on tariff |
| OVO Energy | None currently | - | - | No live scheme found; E.ON agreed to buy OVO in May 2026 |
| Outfox the Market | None currently | - | - | Scheme not currently available |
Checked 29 October 2026 against suppliers' own pages where available and MoneySavingExpert's referral table. Suppliers change these without notice, so confirm on the supplier's site before you switch.
Which supplier pays the most?
Scottish Power has the highest standard reward at £60 each for dual fuel. EDF has been the most generous during its occasional boosts, paying the referrer £100 and the friend £75 until 6 April 2026, but those windows are short and its standard rate is £50.
Everyone else has settled at about £50. So the real choice isn't the bonus, it's the supplier and tariff you'll be paying for the next year. If you're weighing up Octopus, here's every Octopus tariff explained.
Rules that stop people getting paid
- Switching through a comparison or cashback site. The supplier pays that site instead, so the referral is lost. Open the referral link and sign up directly.
- Being a recent customer. Most schemes are for new customers only, typically anyone who hasn't been with the supplier in the last 12 months (3 months for British Gas).
- Leaving too soon. Suppliers can claw the reward back if the new customer leaves within a few months, often 90 days.
- Signing up by phone. Some schemes, such as E.ON Next's, only count online sign-ups through the link.
- Hitting a cap. E.ON Next limits each customer to 25 rewards or £1,500 a year. Octopus has no fixed cap but reviews heavy referrers.
Can referral links be shared publicly?
Supplier rules are designed for sharing with people you know. Octopus and E.ON Next both ban paid adverts for referral links and posting them on review sites, and say they can switch off a link that's used commercially. If you're sharing your own link, share it with friends and family.
The market is shrinking
Fewer brands means fewer schemes. Co-op Energy is now part of Octopus, Sainsbury's Energy is run by E.ON Next, and E.ON agreed to buy OVO in May 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Expect this table to get shorter.
Questions
Which energy supplier has the best referral bonus?
Of the standard schemes, Scottish Power pays the most at £60 each for a dual fuel switch. Most others, including Octopus, E.ON Next, EDF and British Gas, pay £50 each. EDF sometimes runs short boosts above that.
Do energy referral bonuses work through comparison sites?
Almost never. Suppliers pay comparison sites a commission instead, so the referral is lost if you switch through one. Use the referral link and sign up directly on the supplier's website.
Can I lose a referral bonus after it is paid?
Yes. Suppliers can take the reward back if the new customer leaves soon after switching, usually within about 90 days, and they can withdraw credit gained against their rules.
Is a bigger referral bonus worth switching for?
Only if the tariff is right. A one-off £50 or £60 is quickly cancelled out by a higher unit rate or standing charge, or by an exit fee on your current fixed deal. Compare the tariff first.