1. Fixed, Variable or Dynamic?

The first thing to establish is what type of energy contract you have. The three common options do not carry the same pricing or cancellation rules.

A fixed contract provides price certainty for the agreed period, but that does not automatically make it the cheapest option. If market prices fall, you normally remain on the agreed fixed tariff until the contract ends.

A dynamic contract works differently. The price follows the wholesale market much more closely and can change frequently. That can make bills less predictable from one period to another.

Since 1 January 2026, the Dutch Energiewet has been in force, replacing the previous Electricity Act and Gas Act. ACM has also established new model contracts for small consumers under the new system. Suppliers must offer a variable-price model contract and a fixed-price model contract, while they may also offer other types of contracts.

2. Find Your Contract End Date

Before switching suppliers, find out exactly when your current contract ends.

Open your contract PDF, supplier app or online customer account and look for these Dutch terms:

• ingangsdatum — start date
• einddatum — end date
• stilzwijgende verlenging — automatic continuation or renewal
• opzegvergoeding — early-exit fee
• opzegtermijn — notice period

For example, a one-year fixed contract that began on 1 November 2025 would normally have an end date of 31 October 2026, depending on the exact contract wording.

The end date matters because leaving a fixed contract before that date can result in an early-exit fee.

Moving house, emigrating or moving in with someone does not automatically cancel this rule. ACM ConsuWijzer explicitly says an exit fee can still apply when a fixed-term energy contract is ended early for these reasons.

3. Notice Period, Cooling-Off & Exit Fees

Three different rules are often confused when people switch energy suppliers.

• Cooling-off period: when you conclude an energy contract remotely, such as online or by telephone, consumers generally have 14 days to cancel under the applicable consumer rules.
• Notice period: the notice period for an energy contract is stated in the contract and can be no longer than one month.
• Early-exit fee: this can apply when you end a fixed-term contract before the agreed end date and the contract contains the applicable provision.

ACM’s current consumer guidance says an early-exit fee is linked to the financial loss the supplier suffers because the customer leaves the fixed contract early.

For example, if the supplier bought energy for your contract at a higher price than the current reference price, ending the contract early can create a financial loss for the supplier. That loss can be used in the calculation of the exit fee.

ACM’s guidance also states that the supplier should explain the calculation. If you are considering switching, it is sensible to ask your current supplier for the applicable amount before signing a new deal.

The supplier’s calculation of the exit fee remains valid for two months. If more time passes, you may need a new calculation.

ACM published an updated handreiking on reasonable exit fees on 19 August 2026, providing suppliers with guidance on applying the rules under the current Energiewet framework.

4. Network Charges You Cannot Switch Away

Your energy supplier and your regional network operator are not the same thing.

Companies such as Liander, Stedin and Enexis operate regional electricity and gas networks. Changing your energy supplier does not change which regional network operator serves your address.

The network operator transports electricity and gas through the infrastructure connected to your property. ACM regulates the transport tariffs charged by regional network operators.

What will happen to network charges in 2027?

On 14 September 2026, ACM published its first forecast for the 2027 transport tariffs.

For an average household, ACM expects:

• €89 more per year for electricity transport
• €52 more per year for gas transport
• About €141 more per year in total

Across households and businesses, ACM expects the average increase in electricity and gas transport costs to be around 20%.

ACM also says that transport charges are approximately 30% of the energy bill of an average household.

Why are network costs rising?

One major factor is the investment needed to expand and reinforce the Dutch electricity grid, which is under pressure from rising demand and grid congestion.

ACM says network operators need approximately €235 billion of investment over the next 15 years to provide sufficient capacity and address congestion.

ACM has also introduced a new regulatory method for the 2027–2031 period. The 2027 network tariffs are the first tariffs established using this new method.

5. Winter Disconnection Rules

There is an important winter protection for small electricity and gas consumers in the Netherlands.

The winter period runs from 1 October through 1 April.

During this period, an energy supplier cannot simply stop a fixed-rate household energy contract because it wants to end the agreement or because the customer does not accept an attempted change that is not permitted under the contract.

ACM previously intervened after suppliers attempted to stop fixed-rate contracts during the winter period. Under the consumer protection rules, suppliers cannot simply disregard an agreed fixed tariff.

However, winter protection does not mean that unpaid energy bills can be ignored.
Separate procedures apply when a household is behind on payments or at risk of disconnection.

If your supplier sends you a notice about cancelling your contract or stopping your energy supply, check the specific reason and consult the latest ACM ConsuWijzer guidance before taking action.

6. How Switching Actually Works

Thinking about switching before winter? Do not compare energy contracts only by the headline kWh price.

1. Check your current contract. Find the contract type, start date and end date.
2. Check the exit fee. If your fixed contract has not ended, ask the current supplier to calculate the applicable opzegvergoeding.
3. Compare the all-in cost. Look at electricity, gas, fixed delivery charges and any solar feed-in charges.
4. Read the contract terms. Make sure you understand how and when the supplier can change prices.
5. Check the cooling-off period. A 14-day period can apply to contracts concluded remotely.
6. Let the new supplier arrange the switch. The new supplier normally coordinates the change.
7. Keep your final documents. Save the final bill, meter readings and confirmation of the switch.

ACM has also warned consumers about misleading sales practices involving energy contracts. Be particularly careful when someone approaches you by telephone, at the door or as an alleged energy-comparison service.

Renters: the energy connection belongs to the property, while the energy supply contract is normally in the resident’s name. However, if energy is included in an all-in rent arrangement, the landlord or housing provider may hold the supplier contract.

Check your rental agreement before attempting to switch.

7. What Is Included in Your Energy Bill?

Your total energy bill can contain several different components.

This is why comparing only the electricity price per kWh can be misleading.

For example, a household with relatively low electricity consumption may pay more overall with a supplier that advertises a lower kWh price but charges higher fixed costs.

The same principle applies to households with solar panels. The purchase price of electricity is only one part of the calculation.

8. Solar Panels: What Changes in 2027?

Households with solar panels have another important date to remember:
1 January 2027.

The Dutch salderingsregeling will end on that date.

Until the end of 2026, households and small businesses can still use the net-metering system to offset electricity they feed into the grid against electricity they consume.

From 1 January 2027, this offsetting system will no longer apply.

Solar-panel owners will still be able to feed electricity into the grid and receive compensation from their supplier.

Under the Dutch government’s current rules, until 2030 the compensation for electricity fed into the grid must be at least 50% of the supplier’s basic electricity tariff, excluding taxes.

Energy suppliers may also charge terugleverkosten under the applicable contract terms.

For this reason, anyone with solar panels should compare the complete contract rather than looking only at the electricity purchase price.