Can I pay taxis in Belgium in cash?

Coming from Tokyo’s cashless world, I expected Belgium to be slower on digital payments. To my surprise, taxis in Brussels, Liège, and even small towns like Dinant have modern card readers. I used my JCB credit card once and Google Pay another time with no fuss. Drivers always offer a printed receipt, which is handy for expense reports. Still, I keep a handful of €5 and €10 notes from my KBC Bank withdrawal for tipping or emergency use. Overall, I’d strongly rely on card payments - they’re safe, fast, and convenient - just have a bit of cash for the rare exceptions.

While backpacking through Ghent and Bruges earlier this spring I mostly paid with Bancontact or Visa Debit (co‑branded maestro from my Caixa Economica). In smaller towns taxi drivers sometimes asked for cash if their POS terminal was down, but even then they were happy to switch to card if I insisted. I withdrew €100 once at ING and Belfius ATMs-ATM fees were minimal with my Revolut card. Generally, I’d say carry a little cash, maybe €20 in coins and small notes, for occasional glitches or super‑local taxis, but card works 95 percent of the time.

In Brussels and Antwerp, I used my Standard Chartered Mastercard debit card in taxis without problems. It’s required by Belgian law for taxis to carry credit card machines - ever since 2016 in Brussels so I could pay using Maestro or contactless Mastercard. I did encounter one driver at Brussels Airport who preferred cash, so I used an ATM at BNP Paribas Fortis before heading out. Now, I usually carry around €20-€30 in small bills and coins to avoid issues if the card terminal is offline or the driver doesn’t accept Amex or UnionPay.

I landed in Brussels six weeks ago and was worried about only having my ANZ Visa credit card, but I soon found that taxis in Belgium are pretty card-friendly. Most official taxis, like Taxis Verts and Taxis Bleus, have contactless terminals that accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and even Bancontact via mobile apps. I always say upfront “I’ll pay by card,” and drivers are used to it. I’ve never had an issue. I still kept about €50 in cash just in case, but 90 percent of rides were seamless with my Visa debit or credit card. Tip rounding up to the next euro with cash is common, so keep a few euros handy for that.