---
title: "Utilities in the Netherlands: Gas, Electricity, Water & Internet Guide"
description: "Moving to the Netherlands? Learn how to set up gas, electricity, water, internet, and mobile services, understand average utility costs, and avoid common mistakes when renting."
url: "https://www.relocify.nl/a/utilities-netherlands"
---
[Relocify Wiki](https://www.relocify.nl/wiki)

# Utilities
Learn everything you need to know about setting up utilities in the Netherlands, including gas, electricity, water, internet, mobile providers, and municipal taxes. Discover average monthly costs, how utility contracts work, and what to arrange before moving into your new home.

Written by Hasan Updated 1 month ago 4 min read

The rental price you see in the advertisement generally excludes the price of the utilities. It means that the cost of the utilities such as electricity, gas, water and internet will lay on you. In some cases, the cost of the utilities can be included in the rental price. Unless this is specifically mentioned, it is safer to assume that the cost of the utilities are excluded.

## **Gas & Electricity**
In the Netherlands, regional companies are responsible for energy transportation. Gas and electricity are both supplied by the same provider.

In most cases, gas & electricity will already be available in your apartment, and you will have to transfer accounts to your name. However, the power is switched off usually within 14 days when the previous occupants close their account. Therefore, it is crucial to arrange gas and electricity in your new apartment quickly.

Once you have your gas & electricity, you pay monthly installments directly to your energy supplier based on expected annual energy costs. Occasionally, in short-term, furnished apartments landlord will pay energy costs on your behalf.

> ⚡ **The amount you pay each month is not necessarily the actual cost.** If you use more electricity than indicated, you will have to pay extra at the end of the year; if less, the difference will be refunded after the supplier has calculated the final amount.

## **Gas vs District heating.**
The price for consumption is different depending on whether your apartment/house is heated by gas or by district heating. District heating tends to be more expensive. The reason being is there is a minimum cost for district heating even if you don’t use any of it.

Please use the chart below only as an **indication**. This is the average for a typical Dutch household. Keep in mind that it’s standard in the Netherlands to keep heating at 20 degrees. If you increase the room temperature, especially putting it at 25-26, your monthly consumption can be as high as 400-500eur for winter months. Similarly type of the house and the insulation play a big role in heat distribution.

Gas and District heating

| Type of building | Monthly gas cost | Monthly district heating cost |
| --- | --- | --- |
| National average | €137 | €152 |
| Flat (50-60m2) | €110 | €130 |
| Terraced house | €136 | €150 |
| Corner building | €155 | €170 |
| Semi detached house | €172 | €190 |
| Detached house | €218 | €250 |

Electricity

| Amount of people in household | Monthly electricity costs |
| --- | --- |
| 1 person household | €35 |
| 2 person household | €56 |
| 3 person household | €68 |
| 4 person household | €81 |
| 5+ person household | €90 |
| National average | €55 |

## **Water**
Most accommodation is already connected to the water supply of the drinking water provider. Although you can choose your energy provider, you cannot choose your water supplier. Each city has its provider - in Amsterdam, Waternet. The water can be used immediately and the water meter in your apartment measures consumption.

| Amount of people per household | Monthly water price |
| --- | --- |
| National average | €21 |
| 1 person household | €15 |
| 2 person household | 20 |
| 3 person household | €25 |
| 4 person household | €31 |
| 5+ person household | €35 |

## **Internet**
Many Internet providers in the Netherlands offer Internet via cable, ADSL/VDSL, and fiber optics, which may be determined by where you live and as you might expect prices depend on the speed of the package you go for.

Most places will not have internet when you move in. The quickest way to get internet is to use Ziggo, other providers ,including fiber optic will take 2 weeks- 1 month to set up.

## **Mobile Phone**
You can choose between a contract (Abonnementen) or a prepaid card.

Prepaid card providers offer cheap packages including the option to keep the same number without charge. On the other hand, it would be wiser to sign a contract if you use your phone for national calls.

## **Municipal Taxes**
For all tenants within the Amsterdam region, two municipal taxes apply. In principle, these amounts are directly paid by the tenant to Waternet and the municipality. Once you are registered at the municipality, you will be in their system. The municipality will send you a letter about it around April-May.

[**Water authority tax**](https://www.waternet.nl/en/service-and-contact/water-authority-tax/): As a tenant, you pay for the purification of water. Tenants receive a tax assessment from Waternet.

[**Waste collection tax**](https://www.amsterdam.nl/en/municipal-taxes/waste-collection-charge/): The tenant pays this tax to the municipality for the collection and processing of household waste. This tax is calculated on the basis of the number of people living in the rented property and the location of the property.

## **How we work**
Once you have your lease agreement, we will make our partner company email you so you can schedule a call with them. Then, they will call you at the agreed date and time to explain how energy contracts work, answer all your questions and find the best deals for gas and electricity.

For the water as we mentioned above, there is only one provider, so there will be only one type of contract possible. Their consultation will be free of charge and they will send you contracts after the call. If you agree with them setting up the utilities for you, you will sign the contracts and the utilities will be set.

Read also

[Dutch Rental Guide 2025](https://www.relocify.nl/a/dutch-rental-guide-2025) [Furnishing Apartment](https://www.relocify.nl/a/furnishing-an-apartment-in-the-netherlands) [Banking](https://www.relocify.nl/a/banking-in-the-netherlands)