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Payment methods in the Netherlands
Find out how you can pay in the Netherlands and which payment option is right for you.
Not sure how to pay in the Netherlands? We break down all the common payment methods you can use in the Netherlands, including in-store and online. Find out how each payment method works, where you can use it and what providers there are.
Payment methods in the Netherlands
Cash
Cash is still accepted as a payment method in many places in the Netherlands. In fact, some markets and local shops only allow cash payments. Yet in a few other stores, paying in cash is no longer possible.
According to Nibud, the number of point-of-sale transactions made in cash in the Netherlands has been decreasing. In 2010, approximately 65% of payments were made in cash. In 2018, this percentage dipped to 37% and fell even further to 32% in 2019. Although this may seem like a drastic drop, it still equates to €34 billion in cash.
Payment cards
While the number of cash payments has been decreasing over the years, the number of card payments, are going up. Payment cards in the Netherlands can be split into two types: debit cards and credit cards.
- Debit cards. A debit card is issued when you set up a bank account. It comes with a personal PIN code and allows you to make payments up to the maximum amount in your account balance. In principle, you can never spend more than what you have with a debit card, unless you consciously choose to be in the red. Depending on the bank and default spending limit, you may actually may payments that exceed your balance. But do note that overdrafts usually comes with a fee and high interest rates.
- Credit cards. Credit cards are available in two options: prepaid and regular credit cards. A prepaid credit card functions in the same way as a debit card since you can’t spend more than the balance on your account. To use a prepaid credit card, you’d need to load funds to the linked account in advance. When this balance is depleted, you’ll not be able to transact further unless you top up the balance – so it’s almost impossible to be in the red with prepaid cards. Prepaid credit cards are usually free and issued by banks or e-wallet service providers. A regular credit card is a form of unsecured credit issued by banks. It comes with a credit limit and an interest rate which is set by the lender. When you use a credit card, you are essentially borrowing money from the bank to pay the retailer for goods or services. At the end of each monthly billing cycle, you’ll receive a statement that tells you the total amount you owe the bank. By paying back the debt in full and on time, you typically won’t be charged any interest fees.
Credit card providers in the Netherlands
Credit card companies
- Mastercard
- Visa
- American Express
Contactless payment methods in the Netherlands
Contactless payment was first introduced in the Netherlands in 2015 and has become increasingly popular. Making contactless payments with debit cards (or your smartphone, smartwatch or other wearables) is possible at most point-of-sale terminals.
To conduct a contactless transaction, simply hold your connected device close to the payment terminal for the transfer to occur. Next, the accompanying app will prompt for authorisation and may require that you enter a PIN code. Do note that the maximum amount you can transact via contactless payments is typically limited to € 50 to € 100 per day.
Contactless payment options in the Netherlands:
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Payconiq
- Garmin Pay
- PayPal
Online payment methods
In addition to ‘over-the-counter payments’, we’re also making online purchases a lot more frequently these days.
With the global rise of eCommerce, you can buy almost anything online – be it apparel, groceries, toiletries or pet supplies. In 2019, it was reported that almost 79% of the Dutch 12+ population have bought something on the Internet.
When you check out an online order, you’d typically be able to choose from a wide range of payment methods such as credit/debit card, Paypal or other supported online payment services. This process is generally completed within minutes. Once the online merchant receive your payment, they’d proceed to pack and ship your purchases.
Online payment services in the Netherlands:
- iDEAL
- SaferPay
- Mollie
- Payolution
- Ingenico
- Stripe
- Ayden
Direct bank transfer
In the past, one would have to head down to a physical bank branch and fill up a paper form in order to transfer funds between accounts. As technology advanced, we can now transfer money from a bank account to another online in a matter of seconds, anytime anywhere.
Most Dutch banks rely on digital and mobile banking platforms to offer a range of services, and one of its main features is to allow its customers to send and receive payments 24/7. Simply fill in your recipient’s bank details (e.g. bank name, IBAN/SWIFT code, country, account number etc) and the amount you wish to transfer. Once you have initiated the transfer, the bank proceeds to verify if you have sufficient money in your balance to conduct the transfer and if the transaction is legitimate. This process is almost instantaneous.
Some banks even allow you to send a payment request in the form of a text message, email or WhatsApp. Ensure that the sender has the correct details of your bank account before transferring.
How to choose the right payment method
If you’re wondering which of the payment methods above is the most ideal, know that there’s no fixed answer to this since different situations call for different payment methods.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing a payment method:
- Place. If you pay in a store or at the market, make sure to check for the types of payment methods that are accepted by the merchant. PIN payments are generally accepted at almost every retailer in the Netherlands, but credit/debit card payments are not. Bear in mind that local shops or small market stalls may only accept cash payments.
- Security. Different payment methods pose their own security risk. E-wallets, for example, are often not as strictly regulated as (online) banks in the Netherlands. Depending on the transaction amount, your account balance, as well as the level of security you’re comfortable with.
- Costs. Some payment methods may incur additional fees. For example, many Dutch banks offer free SEPA transfers, but other providers may charge a fee for wire transfers or direct debit. While these costs are usually negligible, they can add up over time. So make sure to keep this in mind before selecting a payment method.
- Convenience. The ease of payment is also a point to take into account. For example, most Dutch banks offer debit or credit cards equipped with contactless payment technology. In addition, you can often link these bank cards to contactless payment apps (e.g. Apple Pay or Google Pay) on your smartphone or wearables.
Dutch bank accounts typically offer a wide selection of payment options, such as ATM withdrawals for cash payments, PIN input for debit cards, RFID chip embedded cards for contactless payments and 16-digit debit/credit numbers for online payments. This way, you can use a variety of payment modes with the same account.
Compare contactless bank cards
Disclaimer: The products listed on this page are not representative of the whole market.
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