Entering into a contract to supply your home with electricity

In the Netherlands, you can choose which energy supplier provides your home with electricity. You decide which energy supplier you want to enter a contract with. When you decide to end your contract with an electricity supplier, there are some points to consider. You can also change energy supplier, and you are entitled to help if you cannot pay your energy bill.

Last updated on 5 November2021

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Energy supplier and network operator

There is a difference between the energy supplier and the network operator. You can sign a contract with an energy supplier to supply electricity to your home. The network operator ensures that you are supplied with electricity safely and at all times. The network operator is also responsible for the maintenance and extension of the energy grid, including the connections. Unlike the energy supplier, you cannot choose the network operator. This is because your network operator (in Dutch) is determined by your place of residence.

Switching electricity suppliers

Do you have an open-ended contract and wish to change your electricity supplier? Are you planning to do so at the end of your contract? Then no additional costs are usually charged. Electricity suppliers often have a notice period of 30 days. The contract with your current electricity provider specifies your notice period, as well as other terms and conditions.

To ensure there is no break in the supply of electricity to your home, you need to arrange a new contract in time. If you have signed a new contract with a different electricity supplier, your new supplier must organise the switch within 3 weeks. Your old electricity supplier must send you your final bill within 6 weeks of the switch.

Do you have a fixed-term contract (for example, for 1 year) and the term is not over yet? You can still terminate the contract, but there is often a 30-day notice period. Electricity suppliers may charge a termination fee. The amount of the termination fee is capped by law and depends on the duration of your contract. The electricity supplier must inform you about the termination fee when you sign the contract.

Have you notified your current supplier that you would like to switch electricity supplier? If your current energy supplier chooses to charge you a termination fee, they must ask you to pay this fee as soon as possible. At the latest, they must do so at the time of the final bill. Your old energy supplier must send you your final bill within 6 weeks of you switching to another electricity supplier.

Right to assistance if you cannot pay your electricity bills

Are you unable to pay your electricity bills or can’t pay them on time? Notify your electricity supplier in good time to prevent your electricity from being cut off. If you fail to notify your electricity supplier of your difficulties in good time, your electricity will be shut off. Having your electricity disconnected and re-connected is very costly.

If you do not pay your electricity bill by the payment date your supplier must send you a payment reminder. In most cases, after the payment reminder has been sent, you will have to pay your electricity bill within 2 weeks. More information for people unable to pay their electricity bills can be found in Dutch on the ConsuWijzer website.

Reports and complaints

Do you suspect that your electricity supplier is not complying with the regulations? Please report this via the ConsuWijzer website (in Dutch), which falls under the Autoriteit Consument en Markt – ACM (Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets). The ACM monitors compliance with these rules and you can read more about the ACM on their website

You can also lodge a complaint against your energy supplier through the De Geschillencommissie (Dutch Foundation for Consumer Complaints Boards) (in Dutch). This foundation deals with complaints against energy suppliers regarding the disconnection, supply or pricing of electricity.

Energy suppliers – gas and electricity

You can choose to have your electricity and gas supplied to your home by one energy supplier. You can also choose to have two separate energy suppliers for electricity and gas.