Energy companies in the Netherlands have raised prices on variable gas contracts by about 7 percent this month.
The increases leave those tariffs roughly 12 percent higher than they were before the war in the Middle East, according to the Authority for Consumers and Markets.
Variable gas rates had stayed flat since the conflict began, even though suppliers normally adjust them four times a year.
For households still on these contracts, the change means higher monthly bills for heating and cooking.
Electricity rises more slowly
Electricity prices have moved less sharply over the same period.
Variable electricity tariffs rose about 3 percent as of July 1.
The growing share of renewable power in the Dutch mix has helped limit how far those rates climbed.
That difference matters in a city like Amsterdam, where many apartments rely on gas for heat while electricity use keeps rising with heat pumps and home charging.
Fewer people switching suppliers
Right after the war started, large numbers of customers moved onto fixed-price contracts.
Most of them simply locked in a deal with their existing supplier rather than shopping around.
Supplier-switching activity has remained unusually low for months since then.
People still on variable rates now face a clear choice about whether to stay flexible or fix their costs.
What the contracts mean
The Authority for Consumers and Markets has urged households to weigh which contract type actually fits their situation.
A fixed contract locks in the price for a set period and gives certainty about monthly payments.
It offers no gain, though, if wholesale energy market prices fall again later.
Variable contracts move with the market, so they can drop when conditions ease but also rise when they tighten.
Anyone reviewing their energy deal this summer should check the current offer against their own usage and risk tolerance before deciding.
