In this guide
New to the Netherlands? Start with our complete expat guide.
How the Dutch energy market works
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Leverancier | Energy supplier (who you pay for the energy) |
| Netbeheerder | Grid operator, fixed by your location (for example Liander, Stedin or Enexis) |
| Slimme meter | Smart meter, needed for a dynamic contract |
| Salderingsregeling | Net metering for solar panel owners; ends on 1 January 2027 |
| Energiebelasting | Energy tax, part of what you pay per kWh and per m3 |
| Vastrecht | Fixed periodic charge, regardless of consumption |
You can choose your supplier but not your grid operator. The ACM sets the maximum network tariffs on the energy bill. For 2026 the maximum meter charge is EUR 38.11 a year for an electricity meter and EUR 27.88 a year for a gas meter up to G6, excluding VAT (ACM, Netbeheerkosten, 6 October 2026).
Contract types
Fixed contract (vast contract)
The price per kWh and per m3 is fixed for the contract period, for example one or three years. You get price certainty. If you end it early, a cancellation fee can apply, so read the terms. A fixed price also means you do not benefit if market prices fall.
Variable contract (variabel contract)
The supplier adjusts the price periodically, with notice. It is usually easier to leave than a fixed contract, but the price can rise.
Dynamic contract (dynamisch contract)
The price follows the energy market. At Vattenfall (FlexPrijs) and Eneco, the electricity price changes every hour and the gas price every day. Vattenfall notes that you have less price certainty, that you need to watch prices if you want to save, and that it suits you less if your usage is not flexible. You need a smart meter, and you must give permission for quarter-hour electricity readings and hourly gas readings (vattenfall.nl, eneco.nl, 6 October 2026).
Providers
Large Dutch suppliers include Vattenfall, Eneco, Essent and Budget Thuis. Several other suppliers also offer dynamic contracts. Tariffs and conditions change often, and we do not publish a ranking: compare the providers’ own tariff calculators for your postcode and usage, and check whether the website, app and customer service are available in English if that matters to you.
See Vattenfall’s current contracts and tariffs
See Eneco’s current contracts and tariffs
Not sure which provider suits your situation? Our switching guide explains what to compare: how to switch energy contract.
What is on your energy bill
- Supply costs (leveringskosten): what you pay your supplier per kWh of electricity and per m3 of gas, plus the supplier’s fixed charge. This is the part that differs between providers.
- Network costs (netbeheerkosten): paid via your supplier to your grid operator. The maximum tariffs are set by the ACM, and you cannot shop around for them.
- Energy tax (energiebelasting): a tax on energy use that is part of the price you pay. Compare total prices, not only the supply rate.
- Advance payment (termijnbedrag or voorschot): most suppliers charge a monthly advance based on your expected annual usage and settle the difference after the year (jaarafrekening).
On move-in day, note the electricity and gas meter readings and report them to your supplier, so that the advance and the first settlement start from the right numbers.
How to sign up when you move
- Compare suppliers using their own tariff calculators for your postcode and expected usage.
- Sign up online. Suppliers usually ask for your address, move-in date, bank details and often your EAN number (on your meter or previous bill).
- Note your meter readings on move-in day and report them to the supplier.
- If you switch from another supplier, ask the new supplier whether it handles the cancellation of your old contract, and check the end date and any cancellation fee of your existing contract.
Tips
- Compare regularly. Tariffs change often, and a contract with an introductory price can be less attractive after the first year.
- Check the energy label of a rental. A label A or B generally means lower heating costs than F or G. Ask the landlord for the label before you sign.
- Insulation matters. Draught-proofing, insulation and a lower thermostat all reduce gas use.
- Solar panels: the net-metering scheme ends on 1 January 2027 (Eerste Kamer). If your rental has panels, ask the landlord how the benefit is handled.
- Dynamic contracts suit people who can move usage to cheaper hours, for example EV owners, and who accept less price certainty.
Green and grey energy
Green electricity usually means the supplier matches your consumption with certificates for renewable generation. Vattenfall says its FlexPrijsStroom is 100% green electricity from the Netherlands, and Eneco says its dynamic contract delivers 100% green electricity from the Netherlands (vattenfall.nl, eneco.nl). The ACM publishes the stroometiket (electricity label) of each supplier, which shows the energy sources used in the previous year. Compare it if the source of your electricity matters to you.
More guides
- How to switch energy contract
- Housing Budget Checker
- Cost of living guide
- Finding housing guide, which covers energy labels and what to look for in a Dutch rental
- Complete Guide to Moving to the Netherlands
- Best Expat Insurance
- DigiD Guide for Expats
- Moving to The Hague
- Moving to Eindhoven
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose an energy provider in the Netherlands?
Compare the providers' own tariffs for your postcode and expected usage. The main factors are the contract type (fixed, variable or dynamic), the price per kWh and per m3, the fixed monthly costs, the contract duration and any early cancellation fee. Compare the total annual cost, not only the per-unit price.
What is a dynamic energy contract?
A dynamic contract follows the energy market. At Vattenfall (FlexPrijs) and Eneco the electricity price changes every hour and the gas price every day. You need a smart meter, you have less price certainty and you need to pay attention to the prices if you want to save (vattenfall.nl, eneco.nl, 6 October 2026).
Can I choose my grid operator?
No. You choose your supplier (leverancier), but the grid operator (netbeheerder) depends on where you live. The Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) sets the maximum grid tariffs, for example the 2026 maximum meter charge of EUR 38.11 a year for an electricity meter and EUR 27.88 a year for a gas meter up to G6, excluding VAT.
What happens to solar panel owners in 2027?
The net-metering scheme (salderingsregeling) ends on 1 January 2027. From then on, households with solar panels no longer receive the energy tariff for electricity they feed back, but a feed-in compensation set by the supplier (Eerste Kamer, 17 December 2024). If your rental has solar panels, ask the landlord how the benefit is handled.
Do I need to arrange energy when I move to a new home?
Yes. Arrange a contract with a supplier before or on the day you move in, and note the meter readings on move-in day. Ask the previous occupant or your landlord which supplier is currently registered at the address.