A new survey commissioned by comparison site Overstappen.nl shows that door-to-door sales of internet subscriptions in the Netherlands generate very few customers and often irritate households. Nearly one in five Dutch adults reported a visit from a salesperson offering an internet subscription, but only around 1% of the total sample actually signed a contract after such a visit.
Key findings
- 19.6% of respondents said a salesperson offering an internet subscription visited their home.
- Within that visited group, 81% did not sign and found the visit annoying; 14% did not sign and had no objection; 5% signed a contract — equal to about 1% of the full sample.
- Younger adults (18–34) are more likely to receive visits (26%), while the highest door‑side conversion rate is among 35–54‑year‑olds (2%). For 55+ the conversion rate was 0.4%.
Why the channel is growing — and why it delivers little
Overstappen.nl telecom expert Fleur de Ligt notes that changes to telemarketing rules have made door‑to‑door sales relatively more attractive to providers. Since 1 July 2026 companies may no longer call consumers with unsolicited sales offers without consent, but face‑to‑face visits at the doorstep remain permitted. However, the survey suggests those visits rarely convert: "On twenty households that are visited, about one signs. The rest gets an unrequested conversation that many find annoying," De Ligt said.
Regulatory safeguards and cooling‑off rights
Sales at the door are regulated. A salesperson must identify themselves and the company, explain that they are making an offer, and disclose price, contract length, terms and the right of withdrawal before a signature is obtained. A cooling‑off period of 14 days applies for contracts above €50 concluded at the door. Consumers can cancel using the standard withdrawal form or the example letters provided by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). If pressure or deception was used, consumers can contest the contract with the ACM’s sample letters for misleading or aggressive sales.
Practical advice for consumers
- Don’t feel pressured to sign on the spot. Ask for the offer in writing and compare it at home.
- Do not give personal or payment details during the first visit.
- If you sign, remember the 14‑day cooling‑off period starts from the moment of signing, not from installation — for fibre services installation may follow much later.
About the research
The survey was carried out by research agency Multiscope for Overstappen.nl in August 2026. A total of 1,005 Dutch adults (18+) completed an online questionnaire. The sample is representative by age, gender and region. Respondents were asked whether they had been visited by internet subscription salespeople recently and given four response options: no visit, visited and found it annoying and did not sign, visited and did not sign without objection, or visited and signed a contract.
Source: Original press release
