Flanders: regulator expects 1.6 million energy contract comparisons via the V-test in 2026

More and more consumers in Flanders are comparing their energy contracts with the V-test, the price comparison tool of the Vlaamse Nutsregulator (VNR), the Flemish utilities regulator. The VNR expects 1.6 million comparisons this year, compared with 1.3 million in 2025, according to figures obtained by a Flemish MP and published by VRT NWS.

The figures. The V-test peaked during the 2022 energy crisis, with 2.3 million comparisons. In 2023 the number halved, before rising again to 1.3 million in 2025. The estimate for 2026 means an increase of almost a quarter.

Consumption data. In 2022, only 40,000 of the more than 2 million comparisons were made using consumption data from distribution system operator Fluvius. In 2026, up to the end of September, the number exceeded 200,000, because more and more households have a digital meter, VRT NWS reports. According to the VNR, users can link the V-test to their Mijn Fluvius account or upload a file with at least one year of quarter-hourly values.

The tool. The VNR presents the V-test as the independent and complete comparison tool for energy contracts: it shows all gas and electricity contracts currently offered by suppliers in Flanders, and users can also compare their current contract with market offers. Brussels residents use a different comparison tool, Brusim.

Context. According to the latest figures from the federal regulator CREG, cited by VRT NWS in October, around 700,000 households pay about 700 euros a year too much for electricity and gas. Since 1 October, conditional price discounts on electricity and natural gas have been banned, CREG announced.

Real-time data for the country are on the country page