Are you new to the Netherlands and overwhelmed by the choice for an energy company? We would love to guide you as an expat in the Netherlands, with a full list of all energy companies in the Netherlands. But we want to take it a step further and give tips and tricks to help you choose. Or if it is too intimidating, Utility Direct is here to help.

Understanding the energy market in the Netherlands

The first step is to get an idea of how the energy market in the Netherlands is set up. So let's talk about the Dutch energy market in general at first. It's liberalized, which means you can choose the energy companies for gas and electricity yourself. In most cases that is, there are some exceptions. For example, sometimes houses are connected to a central heat net, and then you are stuck to the supplier that hosts that net.

But in general you have freedom of choice, which drives competition and helps stimulate lower prices for energy companies in Holland.

Which types of energy contracts in the Netherlands are there?

Usually, the contract you choose is either a year, or you can choose a contract with a longer term. The energy prices then, are set for the full period of that contract. Which can be beneficial, especially when prices rise during the contract period.

Decisions on energy contracts can be a difficult decision to make, because the energy market - especially nowadays with the war in Ukraine and other uncertainties - fluctuates a lot. Therefore, it might be a good idea to call in experts to help you with your choice, because they know the market in and outs.

Detailed overview of the different types of energy contracts

In the Netherlands, the energy market offers a variety of contract types to suit different needs and preferences when it comes to electricity and gas. Here are the main types of energy contracts available:

Fixed-rate contracts:

• Description: The price for either gas or electricity if fixed during the whole duration of your contract. The contracts vary from 1 to 5 years.
  
• When should you choose a fixed conract?: If you want certainty and want to avoid surprises, this is the contract for you. It can be a good choice for homeowners or people who rent long-term. For example, when something happens such as the war in Ukraine did, you will not be affected by huge price increases during the period of your fixed contract.

Variable-rate contracts:

• Description: The price can vary during your contract. Mostly based on market conditions. Usually these changes would only take place every other year, but since the war in Ukraine a lot of energy companies have changed prices more often.
  
• Suitable for: People who can withstand fluctuations in prices and might benefit from decreases in energy prices. You will have to keep a closer eye on your contract and try to switch to a cheaper supplier whenever you can. It takes a bit of more work, but if you're up for the task can definitely be worth it.

Green energy contracts:

• Description: Energy companies who provide green energy contracts, make sure that their energy is generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, or biomass.
  
• Who is it best for: Environmentally conscious homeowners or renters who want to support and encourage the growth of renewable energy.

Dual fuel contracts:

• Description: These contracts bundle both electricity and gas from the same supplier, often at a discounted rate compared to purchasing each separately.
  
• Best for: Are you looking for convenience? Then this is the contract for you. You can manage your utilities at one company, you will only have to arrange the contract(s) with one company. You can check your energy usage and cost all in one place. Can especially be beneficial for larger families or people who use quite a lot of energy.

Prepaid energy contracts:

• Description: Consumers pay for their energy usage in advance. This is not very common in the Netherlands but can be found with some providers.
  
• Choose this contract when: You are an individual who wishes to closely manage your budget and energy consumption, paying ahead of time and you want to avoid surprises in monthly bills.

What else is important when choosing energy contracts in the Netherlands?

When choosing an energy contract, it's important to consider your personal or household energy consumption habits, how long you plan to stay in your current residence, your financial flexibility, and your personal values, such as environmental impact.

The most important choice to make is whether you prefer a flexible or fixed contract. With a flexible contract, the supplier can lower or increase the prices during your contract. In some specific cases, this might be more beneficial for you as a tenant or homeowner.

Things you need to think about before choosing an energy company:

• How long will you be living in the home that you are setting up energy contracts for?
• What is important for you: price, sustainability?
• What is your financial situation? Do you have enough savings to cope with fluctuations in prices?
  

One final note: do you have solar panels? Some suppliers charge extra if you do. So that is something you might want to check out, if you have solar panels. Because it can be a difference of tens or even hundreds of euro's.

In the Netherlands, if you have solar panels, and you generate more energy than you use, you can sell that electricity to your energy provider. However, some companies are now charging money for people with solar panels. The reason is that the energy net is too crowded and the costs have increased significantly as a result.

These are energy companies charging extra for people with solar panels:

1. Eneco
2. Vandebron
3. Budget Energie
4. Vrijopnaam
5. OM Nieuwe Energie
6. Energie VanOns
7. Gewoon Energie
8. Innova Energie
9. Mega Energie

Which energy companies are there in the Netherlands?

You have either gas companies or electricity companies that you will have to connect when you just moved to the Netherlands as an expat. Here is an overview of the most common energy companies in the Netherlands.

Gas companies in the Netherlands

1. Essent - One of the largest energy companies in the Netherlands, offering both gas and electricity.
2. Eneco - Known for its commitment to sustainability, Eneco provides various green energy options.
3. Vattenfall (formerly Nuon) - A major provider offering competitive rates and a range of energy solutions.
4. Oxxio - Offers competitive pricing and is known for its user-friendly online management tools.
5. Energiedirect.nl - Known for its straightforward, no-frills energy supply at competitive prices.
6. Pure Energie - Markets itself as one of the greenest energy suppliers, offering 100% renewable energy.
7. Budget Energie - Provides straightforward energy services often at lower costs.
8. Greenchoice - Dedicated to sustainability, offering 100% green energy from renewable sources.
9. ENGIE - Focuses on personalized energy solutions and sustainability.
10. Delta Energie - Offers a mix of traditional and green energy, focusing on customer service.
11. Qurrent (now part of Greenchoice) - Known for its renewable energy options and initiatives.
12. Frank Energie. Has a lot of green options as well.
13. Coolblue. Coolblue is a well-known Dutch company that started out as seller of consumer electronics, but is slowly diverging into different markets, such as the Energy market.
14. Mega. Less-known, and not known for durability.
15. United consumers. Known for their good service towards customers. They are a consumer collective, and because of buying in bulk they can offer big discounts.
16. Vandebron. Main focus is sustainability, a very green provider. They want to help you use energy smartly and move towards 100% sustainable energy.
17. OM | Nieuwe Energie. They claim to be the 'greenest energy collective' in the Netherlands. They have only 100% green energy.
18. Vrijopnaam. They deliver 100% compensated gas for the lowest price.
19. Innova energie. They have been growing the past 10 years, and want to make things as easy as possible.
20. Gewoon Energie. They 'just give you energy'. For a good price, no hassle.

These are some of the best and most known companies providing gas in the Netherlands. A lot of them can also provide electricity contracts. Sometimes it can be beneficial to arrange both at the same company.

These suppliers offer a variety of plans and services, including fixed and variable rates, and many provide additional services like smart thermostats and energy audits to help manage and reduce consumption. When choosing a provider, consider your energy needs, budget, and values, particularly concerning sustainability and customer service.

Need help choosing the right energy company?

Utility comparison services can help expatriates understand and navigate these options to find the best fit for their specific situation. Request free advice here.

✅ Get the best utility deals, without a hassle
✅ Personal advise, english speaking
✅ Free of charge

List of notable electricity suppliers to consider:

1. Essent - A major player in the Dutch energy market, offering a variety of electricity plans, including green energy options.
2. Eneco - Known for its focus on sustainable energy solutions, Eneco offers several renewable energy plans.
3. Vattenfall (formerly Nuon) - Provides a range of electricity plans, including customizable options tailored to different energy usage patterns.
4. Oxxio - Offers competitive pricing with an emphasis on digital service and energy management tools.
5. Energiedirect.nl - Known for competitive rates and straightforward electricity plans.
6. Pure Energie - This company focuses on renewable energy, offering electricity sourced from wind and solar power.
7. Budget Energie - Provides simple and affordable energy plans, aiming to offer lower electricity rates.
8. Greenchoice - Dedicated entirely to green energy, Greenchoice offers electricity from renewable sources like biomass, wind, and solar.
9. ENGIE - Offers tailored energy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovative energy services.
10. Delta Energie - Known for a mix of traditional and renewable energy sources, with a strong customer service focus.
11. Qurrent (now part of Greenchoice) - Continues its legacy under Greenchoice, focusing on green energy and sustainability.
12. Frank Energie. Has a lot of green options as well. They focus on low prices and supplying co2 compensated gas and electricity.
13. Mega. Less-known, they focus on durability but are not as sustainable as other energy suppliers.
14. Vandebron. Main focus is sustainability, a very green provider. They want to help you use energy smartly and move towards 100% sustainable energy.
15. Vrijopnaam. They deliver 100% compensated gas for the lowest price.
16. Innova Energie. They have been growing the past 10 years, and want to make things as easy as possible.
17. Gewoon energie. They 'just give you energy'. For a good price, no hassle.
18. Tibber. Tibber is an innovative electricity supplier that leverages digital technology to offer smart energy solutions, aiming to reduce costs and environmental impact by actively adjusting consumption based on the availability of cheaper, greener energy sources.
    

Choosing from energy companies in the Netherlands

Because of the open market, it can be quite overwhelming to find your right energy company in the Netherlands. There are a lot of companies to choose from. It can also be beneficial to switch, every year - if you have a yearly contract - because it can help to save money.

If you feel overwhelmed, we are here to help. We have a lot of in-house experience and we have a great English speaking customer support team. Ready to help you make the best and the right choices.

Discover how Utility Direct makes expat life in the Netherlands hassle-free by managing your utility needs efficiently. Get started with our expat service today!

---

Are you looking for expert expat service, English speaking?

Moving to a new country is an adventure filled with excitement and, let's be honest, a fair bit of stress. Among the myriad of things you need to arrange, sorting out your utilities - gas, electricity, internet, TV, and more - can feel overwhelming.

But what if I told you it doesn't have to be? With the help of Utility Direct, your go-to expat service in the Netherlands for all things utilities, you have all the help you need. So, what do you need to know as an expat, and how can Utility Direct simplify your move?

 

---

Top 7 things to arrange when you move to the Netherlands as an expat

First of all, let us start with some tips on things you really should be aware of when moving to Netherlands. Heres our top 7 of most important things to think about:

1. Registration with the Local Municipality: Upon arrival, registering with your local municipality is crucial for legal residency. Utility Direct can provide guidance on the necessary documents and steps to streamline this process.
2. Opening a Dutch Bank Account: Essential for daily transactions and receiving a salary. Utility Direct can advise on the best banks for expats and what you need to open an account.
3. Securing Health Insurance: Mandatory in the Netherlands within four months of arrival. Utility Direct can help compare different health insurance options to find the best coverage for you.
4. Setting up Utilities (Gas, Electricity, Water): A must for a comfortable living. Utility Direct facilitates hassle-free connections to the best utility providers, ensuring you get competitive rates without the legwork. Learn more about the Dutch Energy market.
5. Arranging Internet and Mobile Services: Critical for staying connected. Utility Direct offers comparisons of various providers to get you the best deals on internet and mobile services.
6. Finding Suitable Housing: Often challenging for newcomers. While Utility Direct primarily focuses on utilities, they can offer tips on housing resources and what to look out for in rental agreements.

 

Any questions regarding any utilities? Feel free to contact us or schedule an appointment!

 

 

Need more tips? Our friends at Iamexpat have the ultimate checklist for you.

---

Utility Expat service: your setup in the Netherlands simplified

As an expat, dealing with the intricacies of utility setup in a new country can be daunting. But here’s the good news: Utility Direct offers a hassle-free solution to connect you with the best utility deals without any obligations. Our free appointment service is designed to make your life easier. Here’s how:

• Free, No-obligation Appointments: Speak to our experts who understand your needs.
• Hassle-Free Comparisons: Access the best deals across all utility providers.
• Seamless Setup: We handle the paperwork and setup, so you don’t have to.

 

---

 

Why Expat Services Are Crucial

Adjusting to a new country involves more than just finding a place to live. It's about creating a comfortable home for yourself and possibly your family. That’s where expat services like Utility Direct come in, providing:

• Guidance: Navigating the local utility market can be tricky. We offer advice based on your specific needs.
• Convenience: With everything arranged in one place, you’ll save time and avoid headaches.
• Support: Our team is here to assist you throughout your journey in the Netherlands.

 

---

 

Making the Most of Expat Service

To ensure you’re getting the most out of expat service, follow these simple tips:

1. Plan Ahead: Reach out to us as soon as you have your move-in date.
2. Know Your Needs: Consider your lifestyle to determine your utility needs.
3. Ask Questions: No query is too small. We’re here to make your transition as smooth as possible.

 

---

 

Utility Direct: Your Partner in Expat Service

Why choose Utility Direct? Because we go beyond just connecting you with utilities. We’re committed to making your move to the Netherlands as seamless as possible. With our expat services, you’ll enjoy:

• Personalized Service: Tailored advice that fits your unique situation.
• Wide Range of Utilities: From gas and electricity to internet and TV, we’ve got you covered.
• No Hidden Fees: Our service is completely free, with no surprises down the line.

 

 

---

Expat Life Made Easy with our expat service

Living in a new country is an enriching experience, and we believe it shouldn’t be marred by the stress of setting up utilities. With Utility Direct, you’re not just finding a service provider; you’re gaining a partner dedicated to making your expat journey in the Netherlands a breeze.

• Tailored Support: Our experts are here to provide tailored advice and support.
• Comprehensive Services: From setting up your electricity to ensuring you have the fastest internet, we handle it all.
• Community Connection: Join a community of expats who’ve navigated this journey with our help.

 

---

 

Welcome to the Netherlands, start your expat journey here!

Moving abroad is a significant step, and we’re here to ensure you start on the right foot. With Utility Direct’s expat service, you can focus on what truly matters—exploring and enjoying your new home in the Netherlands.

 

 

---

 

Frequently asked questions about our Expat Service

 

With our help, your move to the Netherlands will be smooth!