New Dutch energy contract rules leave consumers in the dark on price changes

The Consumentenbond and Vereniging Eigen Huis (VEH) said Thursday that new general terms for variable energy contracts in the Netherlands, effective January 1, 2026, remain unclear on how electricity and natural gas prices may change, leaving many confused.

The updated conditions, published by the energy industry organization Energie-Nederland, were intended to address a 2025 ruling by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal that the “price adjustment clause” in variable contracts was unfair and invalid. The clause had left millions of consumers unable to predict costs when energy rates were increased mid-contract, resulting in years of overpayments.

“The revised price adjustment clause lists more reasons why suppliers may change prices,” Sandra Molenaar, director of the Consumentenbond, said. “But the enumeration is so broad that consumers still cannot predict how and when rates will change. It is unimaginable that, despite the clear court ruling, the energy industry has not produced a more concrete text. Consumers are still completely in the dark. This cannot be the intention, especially for a utility like energy.”

The updated terms do not specify the maximum size of a price change or the frequency with which suppliers can apply them.

Consumer groups have warned about unclear contract terms for years. In 2013, the European Court of Justice ruled that energy providers must clearly state under what circumstances interim price increases may occur.

In 2017, both the Consumentenbond and VEH noted that Energie-Nederland’s terms did not meet this standard. Cindy Kremer, VEH director, said at the time, “Discussions with the industry organization yielded nothing. That is why we explicitly stated on the front page of the terms that we disagreed with the adjustment clause.”

The unresolved issue has led to legal action. In September, the Consumentenbond, VEH, and Stichting Consumenten Competition Claims launched a collective claim against the six largest energy suppliers in the Netherlands. The groups are seeking compensation for affected consumers and clearer contract terms.