Lowering your Dutch mobile bill is easier than you think — by choosing the right plan and avoiding hidden fees, you can save some serious cash! 💸
So follow our tips for saving money on your mobile phone bill and spend those euros on stroopwafels instead! 😋
1. Factor in the length of your stay
It’s important to consider how long you’re staying in the Netherlands, to make sure you’re not paying for data you won’t actually use.
With most Dutch mobile subscriptions lasting one to two years, they’re typically not for commitment-phobes.
So, if you’re planning a shorter visit or are unsure of how long you’ll be staying, it’s good to choose a more flexible option like a prepaid SIM plan or a monthly terminable SIM-only package.
Additionally, if your phone subscription automatically renews, remember to cancel it in time if you’re saying doei (bye) to the lowlands earlier than expected.
2. Plan ahead to maximise your savings
Once you’ve figured out how committed to a life of cycling and raw herring you can be, it’s essential that you choose the right SIM plan for you. 👇
SIM-only subscription
If you’re looking for a steady and reliable plan that includes a set amount of minutes, texts, and data, a Dutch SIM-only subscription is probably best.
SIM-only options are also ideal if you want access to unlimited data — and the freedom to watch your favourite Netflix show whenever and wherever you want. 😉
These typically come in the form of a one or two-year plan, though some providers also offer monthly terminable plans.
Though monthly plans have slightly higher fees than long-term plans, they’re a good choice for internationals who are new to Dutch phone plans and want to test the waters first.
The dedicated scrollers and streamers among you can check out a SIM-only plan with Lyca. With 40GB of data for only €12.50 per month, it’s a steal compared to similar packages by KPN (€21.50/month) or Odido (€25/month). 💸
Not sure if you want to commit? No worries! Lyca is one of a handful of providers that offer a monthly terminable SIM-only subscription.
Prepaid SIM
If you prefer flexibility and only want to pay for what you use, a prepaid SIM would be the perfect choice.
With a prepaid plan, you’re only charged for the minutes, messages, and data you load — ensuring there are no costly surprises at the end of the month!
It’s a handy option if you want a solid overview of your costs or if your monthly data usage tends to fluctuate quite a bit.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who consistently uses a lot of data and wants high internet speeds, prepaid SIMs may not be as cost-effective or feature-rich as SIM-only plans.
3. Combine your mobile plan for bigger benefits
Alternatively, your phone plan can be combined with other products to maximise your overall savings.
Combining with a phone
Maybe you want to start your brand-new life in the Netherlands with a brand-new phone. But, with how expensive phones tend to be these days, that can cause a bit of a headache. 😬
Luckily, there are plenty of options to combine your phone purchase with your phone plan and pay for both in monthly instalments.
This means you needn’t opt for an old model just to save some money — with payments spread over time, that snazzy iPhone 16 could very well be yours!
Some providers also include a discount if you buy both in a bundle, maximising your savings.
Combining with an internet subscription
The same applies if you’re getting Wi-Fi at the same time as a new phone.
If you opt for a package that includes a new phone, Wi-Fi, and a SIM plan, you can save on all three and pay in monthly instalments.
Some providers go all out and include additional benefits, such as discounted access to streaming services in combo packages.
If you’re a fresh-faced international who’s just landed in the Netherlands, this is a cheap and easy way to get all your necessities set up.
And, as an added bonus: if your Wi-Fi works well, you can limit your data usage. 😉
4. Watch out for hidden fees
One major downside of combining your Dutch phone plan with another product is that you can fall victim to some pesky hidden fees.
For example, paying for a phone in monthly instalments often comes with extra charges, like a monthly fee.
That means that a phone that costs €800 upfront can end up costing €900 when all the monthly payments are added up.
Hidden fees are not only an issue in combo deals, though. Some providers don’t disclose when you’ve used up your minutes or data.
Linger on a call for a few minutes too long, and boom — your phone bill is already several euros more expensive.
To avoid any unpleasant surprises, always double-check what you’re actually paying for before signing a contract and make sure you choose a transparent provider.
You don’t need to worry about transparency if you sign up with Lyca since they clearly disclose the rates for out-of-bundle costs.
For a maximal overview of your costs, download the Lyca mobile app and get reminders to top-up or renew your plan. 🤳
5. Set a data limit
Are you prone to scrolling on Instagram while waiting for the bus? We’ve all been there, but it’s situations like these that often end up costing us money when it’s time to pay our phone bill.
Exceeding your mobile plan’s data limit can be expensive, with costs as high as €0.10-0.15 per MB.
While that might not sound like a lot, keep in mind that simply browsing the web for 10 minutes already uses up a whole MB of data.
Some providers also offer a data cap, which costs a little extra (usually around €0.10 per month), but this extra charge can be well worth it if you’re prone to exceeding the data limit.
To save even more on data usage, connect to Wi-Fi whenever the option is available.
6. Check if ‘roam like at home’ applies to you
If you’re moving to the Netherlands from another EU country, chances are you’ll be heading home for the holidays or exploring nearby countries whenever you can.
The good news? Under the EU’s ‘roam like at home’ policy, you can use your Dutch mobile plan’s data and minutes without any additional charges — though your provider may apply a limit on data usage while you’re abroad.
This is known as a fair use policy, and the best providers will offer upwards of 40GB worth of data within the EU.
It’s always a good idea to check which countries your provider includes in its ‘roam like at home’ policy and how generous their EU data limit is.
That way, your weekend getaway to Belgium can be full of waffles and holiday snapshots, not surprise roaming fees. 😋
7. Limit your international calls
If your country of origin isn’t covered by EU policies on data roaming, you definitely won’t want to be calling home every day. (Sorry, Mom! 👀)
International calling tends to be very expensive, so even costs for relatively short chats can quickly add up — leaving you with a sky-high phone bill at the end of the month.
Instead, try to limit your international calls as much as possible or choose more affordable options (like calling through WhatsApp).
Want to save even more data? Try an old-school e-mail when a call isn’t absolutely necessary.
Do you have any other savvy tips on how to save money on your mobile bill? Leave them in the comments!