Whether you’re cycling through Amsterdam’s canals, enjoying a stroopwafel at a market, or shopping in Rotterdam, managing currency in the Netherlands well will help make your trip smoother. Money in the Netherlands is largely digital, with cards accepted nearly everywhere-even at vending machines and public toilets-but having some Euro cash on hand can still be useful in small towns or open-air markets. This guide will walk you through how to get Euros (EUR), smart exchange options, cash withdrawal advice, and important dos and don’ts-so you save on fees and avoid confusion.
How to pay in Netherlands – cash or card?
You can use cash for:
- Budget hotels (some small or family-run accommodations)
- Hostels (some independent hostels)
- Tips and gratuities (optional, but usually in cash at cafés/bars)
- Street food (market stalls, festival booths)
- Small eateries / restaurants (local snack bars, e.g., FEBO)
- Small purchases
- Local expenses at grocery stores, local markets
- Laundry services (coin-operated)
- Mobile SIM and phone top-up (at convenience stores)
You can use card for:
- 4 and 5 star hotels
- Hostels (most city-based and chains)
- Local and large tour operators
- Shopping at malls (and shopping streets)
- Entry fees to museums, historical sites (e.g., Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House – some ticketed online only)
- Local buses (OV-chipkaart or contactless)
- Local trains (NS trains accept contactless and OV-chipkaart)
- Airport transport (Amsterdam Airport Express, NS trains)
- Sit-down restaurants
- Upscale restaurants
- Online bookings for upscale hotels, flights, tours
- Spas
- Tailoring services
- Vehicle renting
- App-based taxis (Uber, Bolt)
- Emergency medical clinics / pharmacies
- Nightlife / bars (clubs, pubs accept card)
Netherlands is highly cashless-contactless payments and cards are accepted nearly everywhere, even for public transport and vending machines.
What’s the best currency to take to Netherlands?
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in the Netherlands and the only currency you’ll need. From trains to cafés to museums, everything runs on Euros.
While some places may accept card-only payments (especially in cities like Amsterdam), cash is still useful for small purchases, markets, and public toilets. USD or GBP aren’t accepted anywhere, so don’t bring them expecting to use them directly.
Best approach? Bring a small amount of Euros or withdraw from a bank ATM (avoid exchange kiosks at airports). And make sure your card supports contactless – many places prefer it.
Where to get the local currency in Netherlands?
In Netherlands, you can get the local currency in 3 ways. These are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange
Money transfer and local pick-up
Types of cards to swipe in Netherlands
Visa and Mastercard transactions are commonly accepted for swiping. You might also find some places that accept Amex and other cards, albeit less frequently.
Types of cards at ATMs in Netherlands
ATMs in the Netherlands accept a variety of cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, and Maestro. Please note that the ATMs in the Netherlands do not accept JCB, UnionPay Amex, Diners, Discover, or RuPay cards.
Should I exchange money before travelling to Netherlands?
If you’re coming from a Eurozone country, you don’t need to exchange anything – the Netherlands uses the Euro (EUR). But if you’re arriving from outside the Eurozone, it’s smart to bring a small amount of Euros for your first-day expenses like train tickets, snacks, or tipping.
ATMs are widely available at airports, train stations, and throughout the cities. Most accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, and Plus cards, though some local machines may charge foreign transaction fees-so check with your bank first.
Currency exchange offices do exist in tourist areas, but rates tend to be unfavorable. It’s often better to withdraw Euros directly at a bank ATM.
Contactless payments are very popular in the Netherlands, so make sure your card is tap-enabled. Still, carrying a little cash for places that don’t accept cards – like street markets or small cafés – is a good idea.
Where to withdraw money in Netherlands
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Netherlands are those owned by popular banks such as:
Geldmaat is a shared ATM network owned by four banks,
ABN Amro,
Rabo Bank,
ING Bank,
SNS Bank.
For a detailed guide, read Cash and ATMs in Netherlands.
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Netherlands. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Netherlands.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Where to exchange currency in Netherlands
In Netherlands, you can exchange currency at authorised currency exchanges, airports, and hotels, the most popular being authorised currency exchanges.
You can easily locate authorised currency exchange centres in popular tourist areas. These centres are often branded as currency exchanges. Popular brands include Pott Exchange and Travelex. If your transaction exceeds 2000 euros, we kindly ask you to provide documentation regarding the origin of the funds.
Hotels and airports: Airports and hotels of all sizes offer convenient currency exchange services. However, the exchange rates are not very favourable at the moment. Many large hotels may have rates that are comparable to banks, whereas smaller hotels near the Old Quarter of Hanoi or beaches tend to have higher fees and lower rates.
Just a heads up, not all banks provide currency exchange services.
Pro-tips:
Stay away from airport exchanges – Poor rates
Avoid the black market – Be wary of being conned.
Include fresh notes – If your notes are damaged or dirty, you can expect to pay more or less.
Is carrying money in Netherlands safe?
Yes, in general its safe. You can travel around Netherlands with a decent amount of cash without much worry.
Some safety tips for carrying cash while travelling in Netherlands are:
Carry only the amount of cash you need.
Do not keep all the cash in one pocket or wallet.
Put some cash in a safety belt or fanny pack.
Do not flash your money in Netherlands.
When paying, do not remove or display your entire cash.
Keep wallets preferably in front pockets.
Cross-wear your purses if possible.
Hold your purses, wallets and bags close and tight on crowded streets and in public trains and buses.
When withdrawing cash, keep the cash low while you count it so people around don’t see it.
If you’re dining alone, don’t leave your wallet / bag unattented while you go to the restroom.
If sitting outdoors in a restaurant, don’t leave your wallets / bags on the table.
Is it better to use debit or credit cards or pay by cash in Netherlands
Use a card if it is fee-free i.e. your bank does not charge any fees to swipe the card, when the merchant / POS also does not impose any extra charge to use a card, you need to use the insurance of the card, don’t want to block cash of large purchases and card’s swipe fees are lower than withdrawal fees.
Pay by cash by withdrawing cash from ATM or exchanging currency where – fees on ATM withdrawals are lesser than fees on swiping cards, you don’t want to leave any digital footprint of your expenses, it is convenient and easier to conduct transactions.
