The Netherlands uses the euro (€), and it is one of the most cashless countries in Europe: almost everything can be paid by debit card, contactless or phone. The catch for visitors is that some shops and supermarkets still do not accept credit cards, so carry a debit card that works internationally, a credit card as backup and a small amount of cash.
The euro in the Netherlands
The euro has been the currency since 2002, replacing the guilder. Notes come in €5, €10, €20, €50, €100 and €200 denominations; €500 notes are no longer issued, and many shops refuse €100 and €200 notes. Coins run from 1 cent to €2, but 1 and 2-cent coins are rarely used: cash totals are rounded to the nearest 5 cents at the till, while card payments are charged to the exact cent.
Cards: debit versus credit
In Dutch, paying by card is called pinnen, and the question you will hear or ask is "Kan ik pinnen?" (Can I pay by card?).
- Debit cards are the standard. Dutch banks have replaced the old Maestro and V Pay cards with Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard, which also helps foreign debit cards on the same networks.
- Contactless payment by card, phone or watch is accepted almost everywhere, including market stalls and small cafés.
- Credit cards are accepted by hotels, most restaurants, department stores, museums and major attractions. Acceptance is less reliable at supermarkets, small shops, bakeries and some cafés. Some supermarket branches have historically refused credit cards, and practice still varies between stores.
- Card-only places. Many cafés, museums, parking machines and shops no longer take cash at all. Look for signs saying "Alleen pinnen" or "Wij zijn pinnen only".
If a card machine or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choose euros. This conversion (called dynamic currency conversion) usually uses a worse exchange rate than your own bank.
Cash and ATMs
Most bank ATMs in the Netherlands are now run by Geldmaat, a joint network of the main Dutch banks, recognisable by their yellow branding. They accept the major international card brands. Whether you pay a fee depends on your own bank; check with your card issuer before travelling, especially if your card was issued outside Europe.
Cash is still useful for:
- Small purchases at markets and some bakeries or snack bars.
- Tips, if you prefer to leave them in cash.
- Places in villages or rural areas where card terminals occasionally fail.
- A backup if your card is declined.
Withdraw moderate amounts; there is rarely a need to carry much cash.
Exchanging money. Currency exchange offices are found at Schiphol, at major stations and in tourist areas of Amsterdam. Rates and commissions vary, so compare before exchanging and avoid changing large sums at the airport. For most visitors, withdrawing euros from an ATM with a card that has low foreign fees is cheaper than exchanging cash.
Paying for public transport
Public transport in the Netherlands is fully cashless. With OVpay you tap a contactless debit or credit card, or a phone, on the reader when you board and again when you get off, and the fare is charged to your card. This works on all trains, trams, buses and metros. Use the same card or device to tap in and out, and remember to tap out, or you will be charged a higher fixed fare. Single-use paper tickets and day passes are also available from ticket machines and transport apps.
Tipping and service
Service is included in Dutch restaurant and café prices, and tipping is not obligatory. Common practice:
- Restaurants: round up, or leave around 5 to 10% for good service.
- Cafés and bars: round up or leave small change.
- Taxis: rounding up is common but not expected.
- Hotels: a small tip for housekeeping or porters is appreciated but not required.
When paying by card, staff may hand you the terminal with a tip option; it is fine to skip it.
Useful phrases and terms
| Dutch | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pinnen | Pay by debit card |
| Kan ik pinnen? | Can I pay by card? |
| Contant | Cash |
| Alleen pinnen | Card payments only |
| De rekening, alstublieft | The bill, please |
| Fooi | Tip |
| Bonnetje | Receipt |
Prices and receipts. Prices in Dutch shops, cafés and restaurants always include VAT (btw), so the price on the label or menu is what you pay. The standard rate is 21%, with a reduced 9% rate on food and some other goods; since 2026, hotel stays are taxed at the standard rate. Receipts are usually offered rather than printed automatically, so ask for a bonnetje if you need one for expenses or a tax-free claim. Card payments show up on your statement under the business's registered name, which can differ from the shop sign.
If your card is declined
Card problems are the most common money issue for visitors. If a payment fails:
- Try contactless or a phone wallet instead of inserting the card; this sometimes works where the chip payment does not.
- Ask whether credit cards are accepted ("Kan ik met creditcard betalen?"); the terminal may only be set up for debit cards.
- Use a staffed till. Self-service checkouts in supermarkets are card-only and may not accept every card type.
- Check your banking app for a block on foreign or contactless transactions.
- Keep cash for small amounts as a fallback, particularly at weekend markets.
Practical money tips
- Bring two cards on different networks, for example a Visa and a Mastercard, kept in separate places.
- Tell your bank you are travelling if it blocks foreign transactions automatically.
- Non-EU residents can reclaim VAT on larger purchases in participating shops; ask for the tax-free form at the time of purchase and have it validated at customs when leaving the EU.
- Online bookings in the Netherlands often use iDEAL, the Dutch online banking payment method, but international cards are normally offered as an alternative for tourist bookings.
