Energy tax and the tax rebate, explained
Energy tax is a big, fixed part of your bill, and against it everyone gets the same rebate. Here is what those lines on your bill actually mean.
A large part of your bill is energy tax (energiebelasting) plus VAT, set by the government and identical for every supplier. Against it, everyone gets a fixed annual tax rebate (belastingvermindering), which is €628.96 in 2026 per electricity connection, shown as a credit on your bill. Because the tax and the rebate are the same whichever supplier you choose, they are not where you save. The bare rate, standing charge and welcome discount are.
What is energy tax (energiebelasting)?
On every kilowatt-hour of electricity and every cubic metre of gas you use, the government levies an energy tax, and VAT is charged on top. It is a large share of a typical bill. Crucially, these rates are set nationally and are the same for every supplier, so no comparison changes them. They are why your all-in rate per kWh is much higher than the bare supply rate a supplier quotes.
The tax rebate (belastingvermindering)
To soften the fixed part of the tax, every household with an electricity connection gets a fixed annual rebate back, the belastingvermindering. In 2026 it is €628.96 per connection. It is the same for everyone regardless of usage or supplier, and it is subtracted from your bill over the year.
So it is not a discount you can shop for; it applies to every contract equally. Our comparison already includes it in the yearly cost, so the figures you see are after the rebate.
Why it looks like a big credit on your bill
On your annual statement the rebate often appears as a large negative amount, which surprises newcomers. That is the €628.96 being credited against the energy tax you were charged through the year. It is normal, and it is the same line on everyone's bill.
Where you can actually save
Because the energy tax, VAT, network costs and the rebate are identical across suppliers, they are fixed no matter what you do. The parts that differ, and where switching helps, are the bare supply rate, the standing charge and any welcome discount. That is exactly what our comparison ranks.
Frequently asked questions
What is energiebelasting?
Energiebelasting is the energy tax the Dutch government levies on every kWh of electricity and m³ of gas you use, with VAT on top. It is a large part of the bill and is the same for every supplier, so comparing does not change it.
What is the belastingvermindering or tax rebate?
It is a fixed annual rebate that every household with an electricity connection gets back on the energy tax. In 2026 it is €628.96 per connection, the same for everyone regardless of usage or supplier, and it is subtracted over the year.
Why is there a large negative amount on my energy bill?
That is usually the tax rebate (belastingvermindering) of €628.96 being credited against the energy tax you paid through the year. It is normal and appears on everyone's annual statement.
Can I get more rebate or pay less tax by switching supplier?
No. The energy tax and the rebate are set nationally and are identical across suppliers. Switching only affects the bare supply rate, the standing charge and the welcome discount, which is where the savings are.