Don’t spend your first days in your new home sitting in the dark or taking cold showers. Make sure to arrange your utilities (gas, water, and electricity) on time. These are essential for daily life, and arranging them properly ensures you can settle in comfortably. No idea where to start? Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through the process step by step.

What counts as ‘utilities’ in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, ‘gas, water en licht’ is the standard way to describe utilities. It usually includes:

• Electricity
• Gas (though many buildings are now gas-free) 
• Water
  
  

Who arranges what? 

When it comes to utilities, what you need to arrange depends on the type of rental you’ve chosen. Always double-check your rental contract. If utilities are included, it will be clearly mentioned. If not, plan some time before moving in to set them up so you’re not left without power, heating, or internet in your first days at home.

(Fully) furnished rentals
If you rent a fully furnished or furnished home, chances are high that your utilities are already arranged by the property manager. This means gas, water, electricity, and often even internet and TV are included in your rental contract. You’ll usually pay a fixed monthly amount for these services as part of your rent or service costs. This option is the most convenient, as everything is ready for you the moment you move in.

Semi-furnished rentals
With semi-furnished homes (typically including flooring and curtains), the utility connections are already available, but you are responsible for setting up your own contracts with suppliers. This gives you the freedom to choose your own energy provider and internet package, but also means you’ll need to compare options and register before or shortly after moving in.

Unfurnished rentals
Unfurnished homes work much the same way as semi-furnished ones: the infrastructure for utilities is in place, but you’ll need to arrange the contracts yourself. In some cases, landlords might give you recommendations for reliable suppliers in the area, but ultimately, the responsibility lies with you.

How to arrange gas, water, and electricity step-by-step

1. Register at your municipality
Before anything else, you'll need to register your new address with the municipality. This step is required by Dutch law within five days of moving in, and it does more than just put you on the books. Registration connects you to the correct local services, like the water company responsible for your area. Without it, you won’t be able to set up certain utilities or even open contracts in your name.

2. Check your energy situation
Before rushing to sign a contract, check whether your home already has an active energy agreement. If no contract is in place, the choice is yours. You can select any energy provider that services your address.

3. Compare energy suppliers
The Dutch energy market is highly competitive, allowing you to shop around for the best deal. Use comparison websites like Independer or Pricewise to get an overview of providers, monthly costs, and contract types. You’ll usually see a choice between fixed-rate contracts (same price for a set period) and variable-rate contracts (prices can change every six months). Consider what fits your lifestyle: if you want stability, opt for a fixed rate; if you’re only in the Netherlands for a short term, a variable rate might make more sense. Many companies offer discounts for new customers, so switching providers can save you money.

4. Sign up with the water company
Unlike energy, the water supply is not open for competition. Each region has one designated water company, which makes things straightforward but also means you can’t shop around. You simply register online with your postal code, and the system automatically connects you to the right supplier. To save you the search, here’s the breakdown by region:

• Vitens: Provinces of Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel, Flevoland, and Friesland
• Evides: Provinces of Zeeland, part of Zuid-Holland, and Noord-Brabant
• Dunea: Provinces of The Hague and Leiden
• Oasen: Provinces of Zuid-Holland and Utrecht
• WMD: Province of Drenthe
• WBG: Province of Groningen
• Waternet: Amsterdam and surrounding cities
• PWN: Province of Noord-Holland (excluding Amsterdam)
• Brabant Water: Province of Noord-Brabant
• WML: Province of Limburg
  
  

5. Electricity (and gas if applicable)
Whether you need gas, electricity, or both depends on the setup in your building. Many modern apartments in the Netherlands are gas-free and rely on district heating (stadsverwarming) combined with electricity. If that’s the case, you only need to arrange an electricity contract and register with the local heating provider. If your home is still connected to gas, you’ll need to sign up for both gas and electricity through your chosen supplier. Either way, check your rental contract or ask your property manager about your home’s heating system before signing a contract.

6. Confirm your contract and submit your meter readings
Once you’ve signed your contracts, the final step is to submit your initial meter readings. These numbers show the exact state of your usage on the day you move in and are essential to avoid being charged for the previous tenant’s consumption. Take clear photos of your meters (gas, electricity, and water if applicable) as proof – energy companies often ask for these during registration. Once submitted, your contract is confirmed, and your billing cycle officially begins.

Useful tips

Documents needed
To set up utilities in the Netherlands, suppliers keep things simple, but they do require a few essentials. Usually, you need your Dutch address, IBAN bank account, and sometimes proof of ID. 

How long does it take?
Getting connected doesn’t usually take forever, but timelines can vary. Energy and water supply are usually switched on within a couple of working days. If you’re moving into a new-build home or a property that hasn’t been connected recently, it might take longer. Internet can take longer, expect 1 to 3 weeks before everything is live.

Monthly costs
Utilities can be a big part of your budget, so it helps to know what to expect. For energy (gas and electricity), most households pay between €150 and €250 per month, depending on the size of the home, insulation, and personal usage. A studio apartment with district heating will obviously be on the lower end, while a larger family home with gas heating can be significantly more. Water is relatively cheap in the Netherlands, usually €10 to €15 per month. Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate, especially with energy markets, so always double-check the current rates when signing a contract.

Advance payments
Unlike in some countries where you pay exactly what you use each month, Dutch energy suppliers work with advance payments (voorschot). You’ll pay a set amount every month based on estimated usage. At the end of the year, the provider calculates your actual consumption and compares it with what you paid. If you used less, you’ll get money back. If you used more (hello, long hot showers in winter), you’ll need to pay the difference.

Don’t forget internet and TV
While gas, water, and electricity are the basics, life without internet is almost unthinkable. Speeds in the Netherlands are excellent, with many areas offering fiber connections, but the waiting times for installation can be long. That’s why it’s smart to order your internet package as early as possible