Entering into a contract to supply your home with gas

In the Netherlands, you can choose which energy supplier provides your home with gas. You decide which energy supplier you want to enter a contract with. When you decide to end your contract with a gas 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 November 2021

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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 gas to your home. The network operator ensures that you are supplied with gas 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 gas suppliers

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

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

Right to assistance if you cannot pay your gas bills

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

If you do not pay your gas 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 gas bill within 2 weeks. More information for people unable to pay their gas bills can be found in Dutch on the ConsuWijzer website.

Reports and complaints

Do you suspect that your gas 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 gas.

Energy suppliers – gas and electricity

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