When does the ITA.SWAPtion.26 gas option come into effect?

The option is available from early October 2026 until 31 March 2027, covering the entire winter period. For a single-family house with gas heating, the additional costs are estimated at between CHF 2 and CHF 3 over the whole period. No action is required from the consumer: activation is managed automatically by the regional network operators.

How much will this extra measure cost on my gas bill?

For a single-family house with gas heating, the additional costs deriving from the activation of the option are estimated between 2 and 3 francs during the entire period (October 2026-March 2027). Large industrial consumers will face considerably higher additional costs. The cost of the gas actually withdrawn via the France-Italy pipeline will only be charged if the option is actually exercised.

What happens if the option is not activated?

If market conditions remain stable and imports from Germany continue regularly, the option may never be used. In this case, the cost of activation (a few million distributed among customers) would represent an insurance measure against a possible energy crisis. The Confederation has explicitly stated that this is a precautionary measure, not indicative of an impending shortage.

Who operationally manages the supply of gas from abroad?

Regional gas network operators are responsible for the implementation of the measure. They have commissioned the energy companies Axpo and OpenEP to take care of the supply if necessary. Overall supervision remains with the Federal Office for Economic Supply (FOES).

How is service to families guaranteed in the event of an energy emergency?

Switzerland has signed a solidarity agreement with Germany and Italy. "Protected" customers — hospitals, emergency services and families — would be entitled to continuous supplies even in the event of a serious shortage, once all national measures have been exhausted. Industries, as "unprotected" customers, would be subject to restrictions as a priority.

Gas, a new option for winter in Switzerland (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 20 August 2026

Swiss alpine winter landscape with energy distribution infrastructure in the valley

The Confederation activates the ITA.SWAPtion.26 option to access the France-Italy gas pipeline. Cost 2-3 francs per family. Available from October 2026.

Context

In a nutshell

New gas option «ITA.SWAPtion.26» available from October to 31 March 2027
Cost per single-family home: CHF 2-3
Corresponds to about 10% of Swiss winter consumption

Key facts

What: Access to the France-Italy gas pipeline to draw emergency gas
When: Start of October 2026 - 31 March 2027
Where: Switzerland (regional gas networks)
Who: Federal Office for Economic Supply (FSO)
Activation cost: A few million francs (divided among customers)
Household impact: 2-3 francs per house with gas heating

Ahead of the coming winter, the Confederation is strengthening its gas supply by activating a new security option. The Swiss Federal Office for Economic Supply (AEP) has announced that Switzerland will be able to draw on the transit gas pipeline from France to Italy if necessary, through the option called ITA.SWAPtion.26.

This measure represents a direct response to low reserve levels in EU Member States and uncertainties in international energy markets. Switzerland, we remember, has no seasonal gas storage of its own and is completely dependent on imports.

What is the ITA.SWAPtion.26 option

The new option allows the country, if necessary, to use the gas flowing through the France-Italy pipeline for its supply. This solution is particularly relevant

Operational details

Differentiated protection for categories of customers

Switzerland has adopted a hierarchical protection mechanism in the event of a serious gas shortage. So-called 'unprotected' customers — mainly industries — would be subject to restrictions before vulnerable categories. "Protected" customers include hospitals, emergency services and families, ensuring continuity of essential service in a scenario of energy crisis.

This hierarchy is particularly relevant for Swiss industrial sectors, where even a temporary supply disruption could have significant economic impacts. Large industrial consumers will face considerably higher additional costs than households and will have lower priority in receiving supplies in case of shortages.

Trilateral Solidarity Agreement

Switzerland, Germany and Italy have signed a solidarity agreement that will enter into force if circumstances so require. In the event of a serious shortage and once all possible measures have been exhausted at national level, protected customers will be able to continue to receive gas supplies from these two European partners. This mechanism represents an additional safety net in case the ITA.SWAPtion.26 option is not sufficient.

The trilateral agreement highlights how energy security in Europe has become a matter of regional cooperation. No European countries

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

Timeline and practical requirements

The ITA.SWAPtion.26 option formally enters into force in early October 2026 and remains active until March 31, 2027. During this timeframe, regional gas network operators, through Axpo and OpenEP, are required to maintain operational access to the France-Italy pipeline and manage activation procedures if requested by federal authorities.

For final consumers, no specific action is required during the «option availability» phase. However, it is advisable to monitor communications from your regional network operators or gas suppliers, who should promptly inform you of any changes in supply methods or price increases.

Gas bill verification

The registration of additional costs for the activation of the option will take place automatically in the months when the measure is operational, starting from October 2026. For a single-family home, the expected amount is 2-3 francs for the entire period (from October 2026 to March 2027), a marginal figure compared to the total winter heating costs.

It is important to check that an item corresponding to this measure appears on your gas bill, in order to verify that the contribution has actually been charged. If the item is missing, you can contact your supplier or regional network operator directly.

Contacts and sources of information

Regional gas network operators are the primary sources of information for specific details on the measure. Each region has its own operators, and communication methods and application details may vary slightly from one area to another. The Confederation has entrusted the operational management precisely to these regional entities, ensuring coordinated implementation at the national level.

…

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the ITA.SWAPtion.26 gas option come into effect?: The option is available from early October 2026 until 31 March 2027, covering the entire winter period. For a single-family house with gas heating, the additional costs are estimated at between CHF 2 and CHF 3 over the whole period. No action is required from the consumer: activation is managed automatically by the regional network operators.
How much will this extra measure cost on my gas bill?: For a single-family house with gas heating, the additional costs deriving from the activation of the option are estimated between 2 and 3 francs during the entire period (October 2026-March 2027). Large industrial consumers will face considerably higher additional costs. The cost of the gas actually withdrawn via the France-Italy pipeline will only be charged if the option is actually exercised.
What happens if the option is not activated?: If market conditions remain stable and imports from Germany continue regularly, the option may never be used. In this case, the cost of activation (a few million distributed among customers) would represent an insurance measure against a possible energy crisis. The Confederation has explicitly stated that this is a precautionary measure, not indicative of an impending shortage.
Who operationally manages the supply of gas from abroad?: Regional gas network operators are responsible for the implementation of the measure. They have commissioned the energy companies Axpo and OpenEP to take care of the supply if necessary. Overall supervision remains with the Federal Office for Economic Supply (FOES).
How is service to families guaranteed in the event of an energy emergency?: Switzerland has signed a solidarity agreement with Germany and Italy. "Protected" customers — hospitals, emergency services and families — would be entitled to continuous supplies even in the event of a serious shortage, once all national measures have been exhausted. Industries, as "unprotected" customers, would be subject to restrictions as a priority.