What is the cheapest SIM-only plan in the Netherlands?

It changes monthly, but basic plans start around €6 to €8 a month. Simyo (KPN network) lists 400 minutes and texts from €6 a month on a 24-month contract, with data added from €0.50 (29 September 2026).

Are budget SIM-only brands in the Netherlands on worse networks?

No, they use the same masts as KPN, Odido or Vodafone. Differences are in customer service, extras and sometimes a speed cap on the plan.

Do Dutch SIM-only prices go up every year?

Usually, with inflation, as set out in the terms. KPN and Vodafone raise mobile plans started before 1 July 2026 by 3.3% from 1 October 2026.

Is a 1-month or 24-month SIM-only contract better?

A 24-month plan is cheapest per month; a 1-month plan lets you leave at any time with one month's notice. If you may leave the Netherlands within a year, the flexibility is usually worth the extra euro or two.

Cheapest SIM-only deals in the Netherlands: how to compare

The cheapest Dutch SIM-only plan is the one that matches your data use on a network that works where you are. Compare the price per month over the whole term, the network (KPN, Odido or Vodafone), contract length, roaming in the UK and Switzerland, speed caps and the annual price increase. Example: Simyo on KPN from €6 a month for 400 minutes.

Short answer

As of 29 September 2026: the cheapest SIM-only plan is the smallest bundle that covers your real data use, on a network that works well at home and at work, compared on the average price over the whole contract. The Netherlands has three networks (KPN, Odido and Vodafone); budget brands run on them. Basic plans start around €6 to €8 a month: Simyo, on KPN, lists 400 minutes and texts for €6 (24 months), €7 (12 months) or €8 (1 month), with data from €0.50 to €9 extra depending on size and term (Simyo). Also check the annual price increase: KPN and Vodafone raise mobile plans started before 1 July 2026 by 3.3 percent from 1 October 2026 (KPN, iPhoned). Compare current deals on SIM-only.

What should you compare in a SIM-only deal?

Price is only one of seven things that decide whether a plan is actually cheap for you:

Criterion	What to check	Why it matters
Data bundle	Your actual use in your phone's settings over the last months	Paying for 40 GB when you use 5 GB is the most common waste
Network	KPN, Odido or Vodafone, and coverage at home and work	A budget brand has the same coverage as its host network
Contract length	1, 12 or 24 months	Longer is cheaper per month, shorter keeps you flexible
Price over the term	Average per month including any intro discount	A cheap first months can hide a higher price later
Speed cap	Maximum download and upload on the plan	Some budget brands cap speeds, e.g. Simyo lists 300/150 Mbit/s
Roaming	EU, and whether the UK and Switzerland are included	EU roaming is guaranteed; the UK and Switzerland are not
Price increase	The indexation clause in the terms	Most providers raise prices yearly with inflation

On networks: KPN, Odido and Vodafone run the masts, and budget brands (MVNOs) rent capacity on one of them. Simyo, for example, runs on KPN's 5G network (Simyo). Coverage is therefore the same as the host network; what differs is the price, customer service, extras such as data rollover and sometimes a speed cap. A cheap brand on the network that is strongest in your street usually beats a more expensive brand on a weaker one.

Sources: Simyo for the speed cap example; Your Europe for EU roaming. Which network is strongest where you live: mobile coverage and 5G by provider.

How much data do you actually need?

Look it up rather than guess: iPhone (Settings, Mobile Service) and Android (Settings, Network, Data usage) both show your mobile data per period. At home and at work you are usually on Wi-Fi, so many people use far less than they think. Rough guide:

Up to 5 GB: messaging, email, maps and some social media, mostly on Wi-Fi.
10 to 20 GB: daily social media, music streaming and some video away from Wi-Fi.
30 GB or unlimited: lots of video on the go, or using your phone as a hotspot for a laptop. "Unlimited" plans have fair-use rules; read them.

Many providers let you move up to a bigger bundle during your contract, so starting small is usually low-risk; check the terms. Moving to the Netherlands? Start with prepaid or SIM-only; students can also look at cheap internet and mobile for students.

Which cheap SIM-only deals turn out expensive?

Intro discounts: a few months at half price and then the normal rate. Compare the average over the contract, not the first bill.
Long contracts you won't finish: a 24-month plan is cheapest per month, but if you may leave the country within a year, the remaining months can cost more than you saved. After the minimum term you can cancel with one month's notice (ACM ConsuWijzer).
Roaming outside the EU: UK or Swiss trips on a plan without them included can cost more than a year of savings. See roaming with a Dutch plan.
Phone on instalments: a device credit above €250 is registered with BKR; buying the phone outright and taking SIM-only avoids that. See BKR and Preventel checks.

Combination discounts

If you have home internet from KPN, Odido or Ziggo, adding a mobile plan from the same group (or Vodafone for Ziggo) often gives a monthly discount or extra data. Include that in your comparison; the cheapest standalone SIM-only isn't always cheaper than a combination deal.

Overview of combination discounts (in Dutch): Providers.nl.

How do you find the cheapest SIM-only deal, step by step?

Check your data use over the last three months and pick the next bundle size up from your average.
Pick a network that works well where you live and work; ask neighbours or colleagues, or check coverage maps.
Choose the contract length by how sure you are that you'll stay: 1 month if unsure, 12 or 24 months if settled.
Compare the average per month over the term on our SIM-only comparison, including any combination discount.
Read the terms on roaming outside the EU, speed caps and the yearly price increase.
Take your number with you: porting is free and arranged by your new provider (ACM ConsuWijzer).

Keeping a foreign number alongside your Dutch plan? See Dutch numbers, eSIM and dual SIM.