Last updated: 29 March 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

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Yes, in most cases you can leave Octopus anytime. However, the answer depends on which tariff you're on. If you're on a flexible (variable) tariff, there are typically no exit fees. If you're on a fixed tariff, things have changed recently. Since early March 2026, Octopus has reintroduced exit fees of up to £75 per fuel on new fixed deals. So the short answer is still yes, but the cost of leaving depends on your contract.

Quick summary

• Flexible Octopus (variable): no lock-in, no exit fees.
• Fixed tariffs (signed before March 2026): usually no exit fees, unless your specific deal included them.
• Fixed tariffs (signed from March 2026): exit fees of up to £75 per fuel now apply on new contracts.
• Cooling-off period: you get 14 days to cancel a new energy contract.
• Switching speed: around 5 working days once confirmed.

If you're switching to Octopus rather than away, you can check the current sign-up credit here: Octopus Energy referral guide.

Switching to Octopus instead?

The live sign-up credit and how to claim it are tracked on our Octopus referral page.

View the Octopus sign-up credit

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