May 20, 2026 · 2 min read

Underfloor heating cost in the Netherlands 2026 — price per m²

Q: What increases the cost?

- Floor structure modifications: older timber joist floors cost € 2,000–€ 8,000 extra - Low build-up height (< 20 mm): slim system is more expensive than standard screed - Heat pump needed: ideal combination but +€ 6,000–€ 15,000 - Underfloor insulat

Q: Do you need a permit?

For installing underfloor heating alone: never . Exception: if it is combined with a permitted renovation project. ---

How much does underfloor heating cost in the Netherlands in 2026? Price per m² for electric and water underfloor heating, renovation vs new build and payback period.

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Quick answer

Underfloor heating costs € 50–€ 150/m² in the Netherlands in 2026 depending on the type. Electric underfloor heating (foil): € 50–€ 90/m². Water underfloor heating (new build): € 50–€ 100/m². Water underfloor heating (renovation, slim system): € 80–€ 150/m². For a 40 m² living room: € 2,000–€ 6,000.

Cost by underfloor heating type

| Type | Cost/m² | For 40 m² | Best for | |---|---|---|---| | Electric heating film | € 40–€ 70/m² | € 1,600–€ 2,800 | Renovation, bathroom, bedroom | | Electric heating cable (in screed) | € 50–€ 90/m² | € 2,000–€ 3,600 | New build and renovation | | Water underfloor (new build) | € 50–€ 100/m² | € 2,000–€ 4,000 | New build, full floor | | Water underfloor (renovation slim system) | € 80–€ 150/m² | € 3,200–€ 6,000 | Existing home renovation | | Water underfloor (dry system panel) | € 70–€ 130/m² | € 2,800–€ 5,200 | Dry renovation, fast |

Cost breakdown water underfloor heating (renovation 40 m²)

| Item | Cost | |---|---| | System panels or grooved screed | € 1,500–€ 3,500 | | Underfloor heating pipes (PEX) | € 600–€ 1,200 | | Manifold (verdeler) | € 400–€ 800 | | Connection to heat pump or boiler | € 500–€ 1,500 | | Screed (wet system) | € 1,200–€ 3,000 | | Installation (heating engineer) | € 800–€ 2,000 | | Total | € 5,000–€ 12,000 |

What increases the cost?

Floor structure modifications: older timber joist floors cost € 2,000–€ 8,000 extra
Low build-up height (< 20 mm): slim system is more expensive than standard screed
Heat pump needed: ideal combination but +€ 6,000–€ 15,000
Underfloor insulation: recommended (Rc ≥ 3.5), € 20–€ 50/m² extra

Do you need a permit?

For installing underfloor heating alone: never. Exception: if it is combined with a permitted renovation project.

Conclusion

Underfloor heating costs € 50–€ 150/m² in the Netherlands in 2026. Water underfloor heating is more expensive to install but significantly more efficient when paired with a heat pump.

archi.sulerr.com integrates underfloor heating design into the BENG calculation package for new builds and extensions.