Electricity prices in the Netherlands for expats

Electricity bills in the Netherlands can be confusing at first glance: The headline price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is only part of what you pay, with your final bill also including grid charges, taxes, and fixed supplier fees.

If you are new to the country, this guide explains how electricity prices in the Netherlands work, what makes up your energy bill, and what expats should check before choosing or switching suppliers.

Figures should always be checked against the latest Statistics Netherlands (CBS) or Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) update.

Key takeaways

• Variable costs: No single rate – costs depend on your contract, usage, supplier, and network area
• Total bill: The advertised kWh price excludes key charges like grid costs, taxes, fixed fees, and VAT
• Contract types: Fixed, variable, and dynamic tariffs offer varying levels of flexibility and price security
• Household variance: Bills fluctuate significantly based on property size, insulation, energy habits, and solar panels
• Comparison: Always compare estimated annual totals rather than monthly advance payments or unit rates alone

What are electricity prices in the Netherlands right now?

According to CBS, the average electricity supply price in July 2026 was €0.1447 per kWh for fixed and variable contracts and €0.1481 per kWh for dynamic contracts, including VAT. These are supply prices rather than all-in electricity prices, so they do not represent the full amount a household ultimately pays.

CBS also lists an average annual electricity network transmission charge of €476.87 and an average fixed electricity supply charge of €114.14 a year for fixed and variable contracts in July 2026. Electricity tax was €0.11085 per kWh in 2026, while households also benefit from an annual energy tax credit.

This is why it is better to think in terms of total annual cost, rather than focusing on a single kWh price. The actual amount you pay will also depend on your contract, electricity use, fixed charges, network costs, taxes, and any other charges that apply to your household.

Keep in mind that:

• CBS prices include VAT but are not all-in electricity prices.
• Electricity tax and network charges add to the cost.
• The energy tax credit reduces the overall tax burden.
• Your actual supplier tariff may be higher or lower than the CBS average.
• Solar-panel owners may face additional feed-in charges, depending on their supplier and contract.

What is the average price per kWh in the Netherlands?

The average price per kWh in the Netherlands depends on what is included in the calculation. Some figures show only the electricity supply price, while others include taxes and other costs.

For a current benchmark, CBS put the July 2026 average supply rate at €0.1447 per kWh for fixed and variable contracts. When comparing figures from different sources, check whether they refer to the supply price or an all-in price and note the date of the data.

Why your bill can look very different from the headline kWh price

Two households can pay very different totals even if they use the same amount of electricity. That is because a Dutch electricity bill usually combines several components:

• Electricity supply price
• Fixed supplier fees
• Network costs
• Energy tax
• VAT
• Annual energy tax credit

This can make your first Dutch energy bill difficult to interpret. Your monthly advance payment (termijnbedrag) is an estimate, while the annual settlement (jaarafrekening) reconciles what you have already paid with your actual energy use and charges.

What makes up a Dutch electricity bill?

Your electricity costs include the leveringstarief, which is the supplier’s price for the electricity itself. Your overall bill can also include fixed supplier charges, network costs, energy tax, and VAT, with the energy tax reduction deducted where applicable.

The key thing to check when comparing offers is what the quoted price includes. A low supply rate per kWh does not necessarily mean the lowest overall cost, so compare the estimated annual total as well as the unit rate.

What Dutch terms should expats understand?

A few Dutch words appear on nearly every energy bill:

• netbeheerder: the local grid operator
• termijnbedrag: monthly advance payment
• jaarafrekening: annual final bill
• leveringstarief: electricity supply rate
• energiebelasting: energy tax
• terugleverkosten: charges some suppliers impose for feeding solar electricity back into the grid

Writer

Gary Buswell

Insider Tip

Do not judge an electricity contract by the termijnbedrag alone. It is an advance payment rather than the actual final cost, so the supplier’s estimated annual cost is a more useful figure when comparing contracts.

What is a normal electricity bill in the Netherlands?

There is no single “normal” electricity bill in the Netherlands. A studio in a well-insulated apartment will usually pay less than a family home, while an all-electric property can have much higher electricity consumption than a home that uses gas or district heating for heating and hot water.

Your electricity costs depend on factors such as:

• household size
• insulation
• heating system
• appliances
• time spent at home
• whether you have solar panels
• whether utilities are included in rent

When estimating your costs, it is more useful to compare similar households and properties than to rely on a national average alone.

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Example monthly costs by household type

Which energy contract is best: fixed, variable, or dynamic?

A fixed contract gives you more price certainty because your electricity supply rate is fixed for an agreed period, while the supply rate on a variable contract can change over time. With a dynamic contract, electricity prices change throughout the day in line with wholesale market prices.

For many expats, the best choice depends on:

• how long you expect to stay,
• how much price certainty you want
• when you use electricity.

A fixed contract can suit households that value predictable supply rates, while a dynamic contract may be worth considering if you have a smart meter and can shift significant electricity use to cheaper hours.

When does a dynamic contract make sense?

A dynamic tariff is usually best for households that can shift electricity use to cheaper times. That could include EV charging, laundry, dishwashing, or running appliances during hours when costs are lower.

However, lower overall costs are not guaranteed. Prices can rise as well as fall, so households that cannot easily change when they use electricity may prefer the greater price certainty of a fixed contract.

What should expats check before signing or switching?

Before choosing an energy contract, check whether electricity is included in your rent or whether you need to arrange your own supplier. If you are moving into or out of a property, record your meter readings where necessary and give your supplier the correct moving date so your account and final bill are accurate.

Also check the contract length, tariff type, cancellation terms, and any early-termination charges before signing. In the Netherlands, you can choose your energy supplier, but you cannot choose your regional grid operator (netbeheerder), as this is determined by where you live.

Are utilities included in rent or arranged separately?

Some Dutch rentals include certain utilities or service costs in the monthly payment, while in others you arrange and pay for electricity and gas yourself. You may also pay the landlord a monthly advance for utilities, followed by a settlement based on the actual costs.

Check your tenancy agreement carefully before moving in to see which utilities are included, how charges are calculated, and whether you will receive an annual statement or settlement (jaarafrekening).

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What do you need to set up an account?

Requirements vary by supplier, but you will typically need:

• your Dutch address
• your move-in or contract start date
• meter readings
• contact or personal details
• bank or payment details

If you are transferring money from abroad to cover utility deposits or initial bills, a Wise international transfer or multi-currency account can help you transfer money to a Dutch bank account or convert funds with more transparent conversion costs.

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How can you lower electricity costs in practice?

A good place to start is by comparing the estimated annual cost of energy contracts, rather than looking only at the monthly advance payment. Then check whether your current contract still suits your household, electricity use, and preference for price certainty or flexibility.

Other practical steps include:

• checking when your contract ends and whether early termination charges apply
• comparing fixed, variable, and dynamic options
• reducing standby electricity use
• shifting flexible appliance use to cheaper hours if your tariff rewards this
• comparing the specific costs and feed-in terms for solar panels, if you have them

Solar panels, smart meters, and off-peak use

Solar panels are a good way of moving towards sustainable living in the Netherlands. However, compare contracts particularly carefully. The Dutch net-metering scheme (salderingsregeling) remains in place during 2026 but is due to end on 1 January 2027.

Supplier feed-in compensation and any terugleverkosten can also affect the overall value of a contract, so the cheapest option for a household without solar panels may not be the cheapest for one with them.

Smart meters can also give you more detailed information about when you use electricity and are necessary for dynamic electricity contracts. If your tariff varies by time, shifting flexible consumption – such as EV charging or running certain appliances – to cheaper periods can reduce costs.

Always compare the full contract terms and estimated annual cost rather than focusing on the advertised kWh rate alone.

Useful Resources

(accessed 17 August 2026)

• CBS StatLine – Official, up-to-date electricity and energy price data benchmarks
• ACM Energiemonitor – Regulatory oversight regarding consumer energy market pricing and contract details
• Government.nl – Reliable official guidance on switching electricity suppliers and navigating consumer rights.