In this guide
Ask five colleagues in a Dutch office which mobile provider they use and you will get five brand names, many of which run on the same three networks. The brand you pay and the network you use are two separate decisions. This article explains how the market is organised, what Odido and Vodafone publish for Sim Only, and the rules on contracts, handset credit and roaming. Prices change constantly, so use the provider pages for the current figure. For arrival-phase options see our sim-only plans guide and the prepaid SIM comparison.
Disclosure: this article contains affiliate links, including to Odido, Vodafone, Lyca Mobile, Mobiel.nl and UnitedConsumers. If you sign up through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not decide what we write.
Quick answer: The Netherlands has three mobile networks (KPN, VodafoneZiggo and Odido). Other brands are sub-brands of those operators or independent providers that rent access. Compare the total price after any promotion, the contract length and whether you need English-language service or roaming outside the EU.
Step one: the three networks and the brands
According to the ACM telecom market review of 2024, all Dutch mobile providers use one of three nationwide networks: KPN, VodafoneZiggo or Odido. The operators also sell under sub-brands: Simyo, Hollandsnieuwe, Ben and Simpel. Independent providers (MVNOs) include Lebara, Budget Mobiel, Lyca Mobiel and 50Plus Mobiel; Youfone became part of KPN in 2024 (ACM).
Odido is the former T-Mobile Netherlands. Vodafone is part of VodafoneZiggo, together with Ziggo. Other brands include Simyo and Lyca Mobile. If coverage is your deciding factor, check on the provider’s own site which network it uses and look at its coverage map.
Step two: what to compare apart from price
- Language of service: check whether the website, app and customer service are available in English, and by which channels (chat, telephone).
- Bundles: some providers discount multiple lines or a mobile and home internet combination; check the conditions on the provider’s page.
- Roaming outside the EU: the EU rules cover the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Ukraine and Moldova. Beyond that, providers differ. Odido’s Unlimited Plus, Snelst and Premium plans list roaming data in Switzerland, the US and Turkey (odido.nl, 6 October 2026). Vodafone lists 25 GB a month in 6 countries outside Europe on Unlimited Max (vodafone.nl, 6 October 2026).
- Handset financing: see the section on credit below.
Step three: Odido and Vodafone Sim Only
Both operators publish their own Sim Only plans. The figures below were read on 6 October 2026, excluding temporary promotions.
| Odido | Vodafone | |
|---|---|---|
| Small and mid-size bundles | 2, 10 and 20 GB, speed up to 300 Mbit/s; 20 GB + 120 minutes costs €18.50 | 3 GB + 150 min: €15.00 · 15 GB + 150 min: €20.00 · 30 GB + 150 min: €24.50 |
| Entry unlimited | Unlimited Start, speed up to 20 Mbit/s, 50 GB in the EU | Unlimited Start, 5G without speed limits, 150 minutes, 50 GB in the EU: €27.50 |
| Next unlimited tier | Unlimited Basis, up to 400 Mbit/s, 60 GB in the EU | Unlimited Plus, 75 GB in the EU: €32.50 |
| Top tier | Unlimited Premium, up to 1 Gbit/s, 100 GB in the EU, Switzerland, US and Turkey | Unlimited Max, 100 GB in the EU plus 25 GB in 6 countries outside Europe: €42.50 |
| Contract length | Shown when you pick the plan | 1 year costs €1 a month more than the base term |
| Connection fee | See the plan page | €25 (waived for some offers) |
Odido’s unlimited tiers differ mainly in maximum speed, while Vodafone states 5G without speed limits on all of its plans. Prices for Odido’s unlimited tiers are shown on the plan page, which is dynamic, so check it directly.
See Odido’s current Sim Only plans See Vodafone’s current Sim Only plans
Always look up the price after any promotional period, and multiply the difference by the contract length.
For a market-wide view, the Independer telecom comparison lets you compare plans for your usage. Budget Thuis Mobiel is a budget brand to look at on its own page.
UnitedConsumers describes its approach as buying together to make fixed costs cheaper (unitedconsumers.com, About). Its mobile page (6 October 2026) lists sim-only subscriptions with 12 or 24 month terms and advertises a discount on the first months; check the brand and conditions behind each offer. Its website is in Dutch, so factor that in. Check UnitedConsumers
Matching a plan to how you live
- Mostly on Wi-Fi: a small bundle is usually enough; compare the small bundles above and on the budget brands’ own pages.
- Commuting across provinces or travelling by train: compare the coverage maps of the three networks on the providers’ sites for your route.
- Tethering a laptop: read the fair-use terms of an unlimited plan, including whether tethering is allowed and any speed policy.
- Just arrived, no registration yet: start with prepaid. Lyca and Lebara list prepaid bundles on their sites. Switch to a sim-only plan once your BSN and Dutch bank account are in place; see our BSN application guide and the first-year pillar.
- A household of three or more: compare the multi-line or bundle discounts of the providers against separate single lines, including home internet; see our broadband comparison.
Contract length
Plans come with different terms, typically monthly cancellable, 12 months or 24 months. Check the price for each term, because a longer term often has a lower monthly price. After the fixed term ends, ConsuWijzer (ACM) says you can cancel at any time, free of charge, with a notice period of at most one month. Switching during the term usually means paying for the remaining term. Set a calendar reminder before the end of your term and compare again.
The handset question: it is credit
A phone paid in instalments is credit. Vodafone describes the rule for its own handset loan: above EUR 250 it must run an income and expenses check and register the loan at BKR, where the registration stays visible for five years; it charges no interest or extra costs on the loan (vodafone.nl, 6 October 2026). BKR says credit bought in instalments above EUR 250 is registered (bkr.nl). That registration can matter later, for example when you apply for a mortgage. Alternatives are to pay for the handset outright or to keep the financed amount under EUR 250 and pair it with a sim-only plan. Mobiel.nl is a Dutch-language shop where you can compare handset and plan combinations. See Dutch phone contracts and BKR and how to build a credit history in the Netherlands.
Roaming
Roam Like At Home applies automatically in the 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and, since 1 January 2026, Ukraine and Moldova (European Commission). Limits to know:
- Fair use: on unlimited or very cheap data plans, the operator may apply a data limit and must tell you.
- Permanent roaming: the scheme is for periodic travel. If you use roaming for longer than you are at home over a period of 4 months, the operator may contact you and eventually charge extra.
- The UK: it is outside the EU scheme, so check your provider’s rates.
Related reading
- Best sim-only plans for expats in the Netherlands
- Best prepaid SIM cards in the Netherlands
- How to keep your foreign phone number when moving to the Netherlands
- Dutch phone contracts and BKR
- Best broadband providers for expats
External sources: ACM ConsuWijzer on switching telecom providers and the European Commission on EU roaming rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many mobile networks are there in the Netherlands?
Three: KPN, VodafoneZiggo and Odido. The Dutch regulator ACM (market review 2024) says all providers use one of these three networks. Brands such as Simyo, Hollandsnieuwe, Ben and Simpel are sub-brands of the network operators, and independent providers such as Lebara, Budget Mobiel and Lyca Mobiel rent access. Youfone has been part of KPN since 2024. Check the provider's own pages for which network it uses.
Do I need a BSN for a Dutch mobile subscription?
Postpaid contracts usually require a Dutch address and often a Dutch bank account for direct debit, so check the provider's conditions. A prepaid SIM is the usual starting point before your registration is finished. See our BSN application guide for the registration sequence.
What is the difference between a sim-only plan and a phone contract?
A sim-only plan is service only: data, calls and SMS. A phone contract adds a handset paid in instalments, which is credit. Vodafone states that for a handset loan above EUR 250 it must run an income and expenses check and register the loan at BKR, where the registration stays visible for five years (vodafone.nl, checked 6 October 2026). BKR says credit above EUR 250 is registered (bkr.nl).
Can I cancel a Dutch mobile contract early?
During the fixed term, switching usually means paying for the remaining term. ConsuWijzer (ACM) says that after the fixed contract term you can cancel at any time, free of charge, with a notice period of at most one month.
Is roaming free in the EU?
Roam Like At Home applies in the 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and, since 1 January 2026, Ukraine and Moldova. Operators may apply fair use limits on unlimited data, and may charge extra if you use roaming for longer than you are at home over a period of 4 months (European Commission). The UK is outside the EU scheme, so check your provider's rates.