The Netherlands has one of the best-connected societies in the world, with most people having access to high-speed mobile internet thanks to outstanding 4G coverage in almost the entire country. Wi-Fi (pronounced wee-fee) hotspots are available in most cafés, libraries, and even supermarkets. When living in the Netherlands as an expat choosing the right Mobile Operator can be quite a challenge. PartnerPete has set up some tips that will make selecting the right Mobile Provider in the Netherlands a little bit easier.

Can I use my existing mobile with a Dutch SIM card?

Whether you can use your mobile phone depends on if it has a SIM lock. You can only use a locked phone on one particular network. Providers sell ‘locked’ phones to prevent customers from switching to another carrier. To find out if your phone is locked, you can try if you can use a SIM card from a different provider in it. If there is no sim lock, you can use the device with a Dutch SIM card. The next step is to look for the best mobile sim only deals

What type of mobile plan do I need?

There are two types of plans, postpaid plans, and prepaid plans. Depending on the duration of your stay, often postpaid plans are cheaper. 

Postpaid plans

Postpaid plans are plans with a recurring monthly cycle, and a monthly bill to match. These are great for those of us who want to use a lot of data and don’t really want to do any math about gigabytes. Depending on your needs and length of your stay we have an offer to match. Generally, the longer your mobile subscription, the lower your monthly invoice will be. 

Prepaid plans

Prepaid cards come in handy when you are staying in the Netherlands for a short period. Rather than signing up for a 12-months mobile contract, a prepaid card offers you the advantage of being flexible. You don’t have to worry about canceling your contract when you decide to leave. This advantage comes at a price; keep in mind that you will have to pay more for phone calls, mobile internet or per SMS. Most mobile contracts offer a flat rate for Dutch landline calls and for calls within the same mobile network, most prepaid cards however charge you for these calls.

What do I need to be able to sign a mobile contract in The Netherlands?

After you have decided what type of plan suits you best, you’ll need to provide the mobile operator with the following things: proof of your identity, address, income statement, and a Dutch bank account, to sign up for a contract. Luckily when you let PartnerPete take care of setting up your mobile subscription, an ID, address, and IBAN is sufficient. 

Can I use my phone outside the Netherlands?

Recently roaming rules changed in the EU. Roaming is the use of your mobile device outside the range of its home network, usually in a foreign country. Due to European Union laws, all Dutch mobile contracts can be used in any EU-country without paying any additional roaming charges (roam like home). This means that you can call, text or browse the internet in every EU-country at no additional cost. The minutes and MB’s will be deducted from your regular mobile sim only bundle. These new rules are intended for people who visit a country for a short period.

Get bundle deals

A lot of providers in the Netherlands offer bundle deals for mobile, TV and internet. If you combine a mobile contract with an internet plan, you will save money. Another benefit of these triple play or quad play bundles is that you will receive one clear invoice and that you only have one provider for questions or issues. Dutch internet providers like KPN and Ziggo give you free extras when you combine internet with mobile. These freebies include additional TV channels, double data on mobile, and an extra 5 euros discount on your monthly invoice. All you have to do is register the products at the same address.

Tips and tricks

We have listed some tips and tricks for usage of a mobile phone in The Netherlands:

  • Be sure to buy an additional headset or car kit if you own a car, since using your mobile phone while driving is illegal in the Netherlands.
  • Use the free app WhatsApp, it is a free texting platform that’s being used a lot by Dutch people. Downloadable in the Appstore or Google Play Store.
  • Use the free app Waze for navigation and real-time traffic info, downloadable in the Appstore or Google Play Store.
  • Download the free Internet banking app provided by your Dutch bank, to securely check and manage your banking account with your mobile phone. 

Need help finding the best mobile sim only deals?

There are many mobile providers in The Netherlands, PartnerPete helps you with choosing the best mobile sim only deals. Whether you are looking for flexibility, big mobile data bundles or unlimited calling in and to European countries. We have an offer to match. Do you want more information about choosing the right mobile provider or about connecting home utilities? Give us a call on +31 20 7372124 or leave your details and we will call you back as soon as possible.