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Can the municipality force me to connect to the heat network?

DIRECT ANSWER

Under Wcw 2025: yes, given neighbourhood plan + affordability test + financing. Without those three: object at court.

Reviewed by FFCheck-redactie · Last reviewed 2026-05-28

Pre-2025: in principle no obligation for existing homes — but municipality could designate areas for gas disconnection. Since Wcw (Collective Heat Supply Act 2025): municipalities can via neighbourhood execution plan designate a collective heat system + require connection after:

  1. broad consultation with views
  2. affordability test per household
  3. financing arrangement offered. Without those threedesignation can be annulled by administrative court on objection. Existing gas stays until designated end date (typically 2030-2050). On forced connection: max NMDA tariff (Not More Than Otherwise vs gas) under ACM oversight. Heat-supplier complaints: Geschillencommissie Energie. New-build post-2018: gas no longer default, heat network or all-electric mandated via Building Code.

Related

What is gas-free 2050Dutch homes go off gas before 2050 — planned per neighbourhood via Heat Transition Vision. What you can do now + your rights.What is district heatingDistrict heating falls under a separate Heat Act — different tariffs, different complaints route. We explain NMDA, ACM oversight, and object…Forced gas-free — costsWcw 2025 requires affordability test + financing. Input via municipal execution plan. Objection at court possible.

Sources

Updated: 2026-05-28

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