Internet providers in the Netherlands

One of the first things you’ll want to get sorted in your new home in the Netherlands is setting up your internet. Having a fast and reliable internet connection is important, especially if you work from home. This guide explains how to get your internet set up, and what you need to know about the different providers in the Netherlands.

Internet providers in the Netherlands

When it comes to internet providers in the Netherlands, prices vary depending on provider and what package you go for. Here are some popular internet providers:

• Ziggo
• Odido
• KPN
• Youfone
• Online.nl
• DELTA

Package comparison

If you’re unsure which internet provider is right for you, why not use a price comparison site to compare options? We recommend: 

• Prijs Vergelijken Internet (compare all internet providers in English)
• Utility Direct (one-stop-shop for all your home utilities)
• EasyNuts

Do I need to set up my own internet in the Netherlands?

Depending on your living circumstances, you may not always need to set up an internet connection when you move into a new place in Germany. 

If you are renting, you may be able to take over the previous tenant's contract, or the landlord might include internet along with other utilities like energy and water. If you are subletting, the lead tenant or landlord will usually sort out the internet and charge you a portion of the cost. 

If you have bought a house, you will most likely need to set up a new connection. This means you will have to wait to have a new router delivered to your house. A technician also may need to come by to open up the line. Take a look at the availability tools below to check which providers operate in your area. 

Internet service providers

There are three major internet providers in the Netherlands, which collectively make up most of the consumer broadband market:

• KPN is the biggest provider, used by around 37% of the population (as of 2025) - including its sub-brands Youfone and Solcon 
• Ziggo is the second-biggest provider, used by around 36% of the population
• Odido is used by around 13% of the population

What is the best internet provider in the Netherlands?

Wondering which internet provider in the Netherlands best suits your needs? The answer will depend on your situation and preferences. When choosing a provider, think about the following considerations: 

Connection speed

Internet speeds in the Netherlands are typically fast: according to Ookla, the Netherlands ranks 24th in the world for broadband speeds (as of 2025), with fibre-to-home connections offering speeds of up to 8 Gbps. 

But how much internet do you actually need? Rather than paying for more than you’ll use, consider the fact that a good download speed is considered to be anything above 100 Mbit/s - this will suffice for the vast majority of users. 

If you do a lot of high bandwidth activities like playing video games, uploading videos, or taking part in video calls (for instance if you work from home), you might need a little more. This is also the same if you live in a house-share with several other people. 

Cost

Watch out for unexpected and hidden costs. Many internet providers in the Netherlands offer special introductory prices for the first few months. Before you sign anything, make sure you understand what the real price of your contract is, once the special offer ends. 

Note that some internet providers may charge you extra for things like set-up fees and administration (for instance, if you receive letters in the post rather than digitally). Pay attention to the hidden costs before you decide if one provider is better value than the other. 

Most providers also let you bundle your internet contract with your TV, landline phone or even mobile phone to get a discount. This is a good way to save money. 

Fibre optic vs cable vs DSL

Not all internet connections are created equal, and not all internet providers in the Netherlands offer all types of internet connections. 

In the Netherlands, you have the choice between: 

• DSL: Transmits data via a copper telephone landline. For this reason, it is generally slower and less reliable than cable or fibre optic, but it is cheaper and more widely available. DSL provides a dedicated connection to each user, so does not lag during peak times. All providers in the Netherlands offer DSL connections, apart from Ziggo, Caiway and DELTA. 
• Cable: Transmits data via a coaxial TV cable. Cable is the “medium-fast” option, somewhere between DSL and fibre optic. It is also shared among users in a neighbourhood, so can be slower at peak times. Only Ziggo and DELTA offer cable connections in the Netherlands. 
• Fibre optic: Transmits data using dedicated glass fibres. Fibre optic is considered the “gold standard” internet connection, but is generally the most expensive. Note also that there is a difference between fibre-optic connections that come right into your home, and connections that are only fibre optic so far as your local distribution point. In the Netherlands, only Ziggo does not offer fibre optic connections. 

Availability in your area

You need to make sure that a provider is active in your area, and what type(s) of connections they offer. You can check the coverage offered by the major internet providers on their websites. Simply enter your postcode to get your results. 

• Check KPN coverage
• Check Ziggo coverage
• Check Odido coverage

Customer support (in English)

You should also consider how easy the company makes it to get in touch should you face an issue with your connection or your bills. 

Most of the major internet providers in the Netherlands have an English-language section to their website, and can offer at least limited support in English - but this isn’t necessarily true of the smaller providers. 

Contract length

Be sure to also check the contract length. This is especially important if you think you might be in the Netherlands for less than a year, because most providers offer packages based on a minimum contract period of 12 months. 24 months is also not uncommon. 

However, Dutch law does dictate that after one year you are allowed to end your subscription with a notice period of one month. 

If you are staying in the Netherlands for only a short time, make sure you select a contract with no minimum duration. KPN and Odido both offer flexible tariffs that can be cancelled month-to-month. 

How to set up your internet connection

Setting up your internet in the Netherlands is usually as easy as selecting a provider online and going through the sign-up process with them. If you are setting up a new connection, you may need to wait for a router to be delivered to your house, or a technician to be called out, which can take anything from a few days to several weeks.

It’s therefore important to start thinking about getting your internet set up as soon as you change address. 

Changing your internet provider

Internet contracts in the Netherlands usually renew automatically. If you wish to cancel your contract or switch to a new provider you should provide at least one month’s notice - although check your contract to be sure of the exact terms. 

The simplest method of changing providers is to let your new company handle it: once you take out a new contract with them, they will terminate your previous contract and ensure a smooth transition.

Cancelling your internet contract early

You may need to cancel your internet contract without switching to a new provider, for instance if you are leaving the Netherlands permanently. Since this qualifies as extraordinary circumstances, you shouldn’t usually have to pay an early exit fee if you can prove you are moving to a country not covered by your provider. 

You’ll be asked to provide proof of your deregistration from your municipality, and may also need to provide proof of your move, such as a work contract or an admissions letter from a university, showing that you are moving to a country not covered by your current internet provider. You’ll then need to email these to your provider with a note explaining that you want to cancel your contract, and why. 

It’s a good idea to request confirmation from the provider that your contract has been cancelled.