Canceling your energy contract when switching suppliers
Are you switching to a new energy supplier? In the Netherlands, the process is set up so that you don’t have to cancel your current contract yourself.
- You automatically use the free switching service: your new and current suppliers will handle the switch between themselves.
- Your old contract will be automatically canceled for you on the switch date.
- About six weeks after the cancellation, you’ll receive the final bill from your old supplier.
Costs of canceling an energy contract
Switching energy suppliers is completely free if you are out of contract. You pay no (administrative) fees for setting up your new contract.
Note: If you still have a fixed-term contract and cancel before the end date, you may be subject to a cancellation fee.
Notice period for energy contracts
When switching energy suppliers, you always have a notice period of up to 30 days. Your new contract will therefore take effect no later than 30 days after the application date.
Penalty for canceling an energy contract
You will never be charged a switching penalty if you cancel your energy contract after the end date of your current fixed-term contract.
With a monthly cancellable energy contract—whether variable or dynamic—there is no end date, so you won’t be charged a penalty.
Note: Cancel your energy contract before the end date
When switching suppliers, make sure the start date of your new contract is after the end date of your current contract. Since you now have to provide your end date yourself, it’s important to enter the correct end date.
If you provide the wrong start date, causing your new contract to begin too early, you will usually face a cancellation penalty—so this can be avoided.
Here’s how the energy switch penalty is calculated:
- The supplier looks at your current contract rates;
- And also takes into account the reference rates: the rates of a similar fixed-term contract on the date you cancel;
- The difference between estimated and actual consumption over the entire term of your contract is also factored in: the remaining amount your supplier stands to lose.
Withdrawing due to a cancellation fee
If you are faced with a switching penalty, the supplier must notify you of this in advance. You can then still cancel your new contract or change the date.
Canceling Your Energy Contract When You Move
Are you moving to a different address in the Netherlands and is the energy contract in your name? Then you’ll need to transfer the energy contract to your new address. This is because an energy contract is tied to a specific person.
You don’t need to cancel your energy contract when moving, but you do need to notify your energy supplier of your moving date in a timely manner—no later than 2 weeks before the move.
Here’s how to notify your energy supplier of your move:
- Fill out the change-of-address form on your supplier’s website;
- The supplier will ensure that your contract at your old residence ends on the specified moving date;
- Your current contract will transfer to your new home and take effect on the move-in date.
If your energy usage will be different at your new address—for example, because you’ll be living in a gas-free home or because you’ll have district heating there—you’ll need to cancel your gas service.
For electricity service, you can remain a customer with your current supplier.
Are you contract-free at the time of your move? Then it might be wise to compare energy suppliers again and sign a new contract with better rates.
Canceling an energy contract in the event of death
As a surviving family member, you will need to cancel the energy contract for a deceased person if you do not live in the same residence.
If you cancel a fixed-term energy contract for a deceased person, suppliers usually waive the cancellation fee as a gesture of goodwill.
To the best of our knowledge, suppliers do not charge a cancellation fee in the event of death.
If you do not need to cancel but must contact the supplier:
- You continue to live in the deceased’s home as a partner (and direct heir). You can then take over the energy contract and have it transferred to your name.
- As a cohabiting partner, you take over the energy contract and move. The contract is then put in your name and moves with you.
- Another family member moves into the deceased’s home and takes over the contract in their own name.
- The deceased’s home is not sold or rented out immediately. The contract must then be transferred to the heir’s name, who is responsible for the vacant property contract payments.
Canceling your energy contract when moving abroad
If you’re moving abroad for an extended period and giving up your home, you’ll need to cancel your current energy contract with your supplier yourself.
Please note that if you cancel the contract before the end date, you will have to pay a cancellation fee.
Are you moving abroad and renting out your home in the Netherlands? Then you must also cancel your energy contract. The tenant will need to apply for an energy contract in their own name.
Canceling an energy contract when moving in together
If you move in with your partner, or if you move into a new home together and both of you have an energy contract in your own name, you can cancel one of the two energy contracts.
When living together, it’s important to take the expiration dates of both energy contracts into account.
- If one of the two energy contracts still has time left until its end date, keep that one to avoid a cancellation fee.
- If both contracts are still active, cancel the one that expires first.
Canceling an energy contract during a divorce
Canceling an energy contract during a divorce is often unnecessary or impossible.
Are you and your partner separating, and is the energy contract in your name? Then you don’t need to do anything if you’re staying in the home. The departing partner may need to set up a new energy contract at their new address.
If the energy contract is not in the name of the partner staying behind, both of you will need to do the following:
- The departing partner in whose name the contract is held takes the contract with them.
- The partner staying behind must submit an urgent application for a new energy contract.
Canceling an energy contract within 14 days
Have you signed up for a new energy contract but want to cancel it before the start date? You can.
You have a 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel a new energy contract free of charge.
- Your cooling-off period begins as soon as your contract application is confirmed.
- The 14-day cooling-off period includes holidays and weekends.
- The cooling-off period applies regardless of how your contract was concluded
- To cancel, contact the customer service department of your new energy supplier
There is one important exception to the 14-day cooling-off period: if you submit an urgent request. In that case, you have explicitly waived the cooling-off period and can no longer cancel the request.