Compare Gas and Electricity in Belgium: A Guide

Fixed or variable price: which contract should you choose?

A fixed-price contract protects you from a price rise during its term. A variable contract follows the market and can go up or down. The right choice depends on your budget and on how much risk you accept.

If your budget is tight, the predictability of a fixed tariff is reassuring: you know what you will pay. If you can accept changes, a variable tariff can pay off when prices fall, but you need to watch your invoices. In both cases, check whether the fixed price covers the whole invoice or only the energy part. The other components, such as network costs and taxes, do not depend on your supplier.

Think about the length too. A long contract can tie you to a tariff that becomes less attractive. A short contract gives you more freedom, but you have to compare more often. The rules on termination and penalties differ by Region and by contract type. Check them on the website of your regulator before you commit.

Extra fees and customer service: what the price hides

Extra fees and customer service change the real cost of an offer as much as the price per kilowatt-hour. A high subscription, a paid paper invoice or a supplier you cannot reach all weigh on your year.

Start with the yearly fixed amount, because it is added whatever you consume. For a small home with low use, it weighs proportionally more. Then look at the payment options, the possible price of a paper invoice and the rules for the monthly advance payment.

For customer service, test it before you sign. Is there a phone number, a chat, an email address, an office? Reviews published online are useful, but they are opinions, not measurements. The regional regulators and the energy ombudsman service exist in case of a dispute. Keep your written exchanges, your meter readings and your invoices.

Last, a word on the environment. Green offers are not all equal. Read what the supplier states about the origin of the electricity and about its commitments, instead of trusting a simple coloured label.

Moving, buying, selling: the right moment to compare

The best moment to compare is when you move, buy or sell, because you take over or close contracts anyway. It is also the moment to look at the real energy use of the home.

If you buy, ask for the consumption of previous years and for the energy performance certificate of the property. In Wallonia, the PEB certificate is required when a home is sold or let. A home that uses a lot of energy costs more to heat, which matters as much as the purchase price. You can place your overall budget with our page on mortgage rates, which gives information on the cost of a loan, and use the price map to compare municipalities.

If you sell, energy performance shapes how buyers see a property. To know what your home is worth, use the online estimate, or an expert valuation if you want a detailed opinion. For an idea of what happens near you, look at property prices by municipality, their price evolution and the market trends.

Insulation or heating works lower your bill over the long term. Grants depend on the Region and on their own criteria. Read our page on the energy premium and the website of your Region before you start any work.

How do you read your bill before comparing?

To compare well, read your bill line by line. Only the energy part depends on the supplier you choose. The rest is mostly network costs, taxes and levies set outside its control.

First find your yearly consumption in kilowatt-hours, for electricity and for gas. It is the basis of every comparison tool. Then check whether you have a single, day-and-night or night-only meter, because it changes the calculation. If you have solar panels, say so. The rules on compensation and pricing vary by Region and by the period of installation.

Finally, look at your monthly advance payment. If it is too low, you will face a large settlement bill. If it is too high, you are lending money to your supplier. Ask the supplier to adjust it if your situation has changed.

Once you have these figures, run the simulation again. To follow the housing market at the same time, the barometer publishes official data, and the search page helps you find a property or a municipality. A question about the site? Write to us through the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best energy comparison tool in Belgium?

The most reliable tool is the one run by the regulator of your Region, because it is independent from the suppliers. It is V-test in Flanders, Compacwape in Wallonia and Brusim in Brussels. Check the result against a second source before you choose.

Should you compare gas and electricity together?

It depends on the offers, because some suppliers give joint conditions and others do not. Compare each energy on its own first, then see whether a combined contract still pays off over a full year.

How often should you compare?

It is useful to compare at least once a year and at the end of each contract. Compare again after a move, after building work or when your household changes.