Energy, water, internet and running costs in the Netherlands

Energy providers such as Vattenfall, Eneco, Essent, Greenchoice and others offer fixed contracts for one or three years at a known price, and variable contracts that follow the market.

• Compare prices through reliable comparison sites and check fixed fees, the price per kilowatt hour and cubic metre, and early termination conditions.
• When moving to a home that had a provider the old provider continues by default at a higher tariff, so subscribe with your provider within a few days.
• Check gas and electricity limits and the gas meter.
• Some modern homes are without gas and run on heat pumps and electricity only.
• Ask the landlord for information on the meters.

Record the readings of the electricity and gas meters on takeover and send them to the provider, since this defines the start of your account.

• Payment is monthly with an advance amount (termijnbedrag) estimated by the provider from expected consumption, and at the end of the year you receive a final bill (jaarnota) showing an extra amount due or a refund.
• Volatile energy prices may make the final bill surprising, so monitor your consumption through the provider's app and adjust the monthly amount if needed.
• Many homes have smart meters that send the reading automatically.
• Keep bills for years, since you may need them to verify an energy allowance or in disputes.

Water is supplied through regional water companies such as Vitens, Dunea, PWN and Waternet, and the bill is calculated by consumption and fixed charges, and may be included in service costs with some landlords.

• Municipalities levy taxes: waste charges (afvalstoffenheffing) and sewerage charges (rioolheffing), and the bill arrives at your registered address, the property tax (OZB) is levied on the owner, along with the water board tax (waterschapsbelasting).
• You may be entitled to an exemption or reduction from the municipality if your income is low (kwijtschelding), so ask the municipal tax department.
• And follow the waste separation rules and collection days.

The main internet and TV providers are Ziggo, KPN, Odido and others, and prices vary between thirty and seventy euros a month depending on speed and package, and you may get a first-year discount and then the price rises, so read the terms and cancel in time.

• Mobile phone is a monthly subscription or prepaid at varied prices.
• Essential insurance includes compulsory health insurance, liability insurance (aansprakelijkheidsverzekering) that covers damage you cause others and is very important and cheap, and home contents insurance (inboedelverzekering) against theft, fire and water.
• Bicycle and travel insurance are optional.

To save energy lower the heating by one or two degrees, use LED bulbs, switch off devices instead of standby, wash at low temperatures, and use the meter to track your consumption.

• You may qualify for allowances such as an energy cost allowance or a tax reduction.
• If you have difficulty paying bills contact the provider at once to arrange instalments, and do not ignore bills since interest and fees multiply, then contact your municipality or debt assistance organisations (schuldhulpverlening) that provide free help.
• There are also platforms that help households reduce consumption.

What happens if you do not subscribe with an energy provider when moving?