Money & Payments in Amsterdam (2026)

Card is preferred in 90% of places.
Bring about €50 to €100 in cash (small bills: €5, €10, €20) for markets and tips. €50 bills are sometimes scrutinized, and €100 bills are rarely accepted in shops.
Almost all ATMs look the same because a few large banks have joined forces to create so-called Geldmaten: yellow-colored ATMs that accept almost all bank cards. However, due to the rise of contactless payments, the number of ATMs is decreasing considerably.
Avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) at ATMs — always choose to withdraw in EUR and let your home bank handle the exchange.
If you want to pay with a debit card in the Netherlands you can simply add the tip to your bill, and the owner (or supervisor) will settle this with the coworkers at the end of the day or week.
Service costs are included in bills since the 1970s. If you are unlucky enough to see an unfair additional charge on your bill, discuss it with the manager. Unless they've mentioned it beforehand, it's purely voluntary, and you can ask to have it removed.

Non EU Cards: For cards from all other countries / regions, ATMs in Netherlands charge € 4.5 to € 10 per transaction as ATM Access Fees. These fees go lower as the withdrawal amount increases.
Home Bank Fees: Most banks impose a fee every time you use a card at another bank's ATM, and that fee can be higher for international transactions than for domestic ones. In addition, the bank from which you withdraw cash may charge its own fee.
Dutch Bank ATMs: Bank ATMs in the Netherlands tend not to charge a fee per withdrawal. However, there are many 'independent' ATMs which do, meaning you could end up paying far more than you have to.
Dynamic Currency Conversion Warning: DCC transactions often don't use the mid-market rate. If you choose to pay in pounds, the euro exchange rate is decided by the foreign bank or ATM provider, and they can mark up the rate and pocket the difference as their profit. Choose to pay in the local currency instead, and you'll almost always get a fairer rate on the exchange.

Payment Method: In Amsterdam, you can pay almost everywhere by card, including tips. Most payment terminals offer an option to add a tip when you pay. Of course, cash is also always welcome, especially in cafés or for small services.
Taxis And Hotels: Taxis in Amsterdam, whether on a fixed fare or on a meter, do not expect tips. The most extra any local would leave is to round up the fare to the next Euro.
Tours And Guides: In Amsterdam, guides really appreciate a tip, especially on free or low-cost tours.
General Etiquette: Tipping is not mandatory, but always appreciated. In restaurants and cafés, tipping 5% to 10% is common.
Restaurants And Cafes: The general rule of thumb is to round up to the nearest euro or leave around 5-10% of the total bill. This is considered a polite and generous gesture to show your appreciation for good service.
Service Charge Included: Service costs (servicekosten) have been included in bills since the 1970s and are already reflected in menu prices.
Cultural Context: Wages in the hospitality sector are relatively well-regulated in the Netherlands, meaning staff are not as dependent on tips. Still, leaving a small tip is a common way to show your appreciation for good service.

General: In Amsterdam, paying by card is the norm.
Credit Vs Debit: Many Dutch shops (especially supermarkets like Albert Heijn) do not accept traditional Credit Cards (Visa/Mastercard/Amex). They only accept Maestro or V-Pay debit cards.
American Express: American Express (AmEx) is less commonly accepted, especially in non-touristy areas.
Card Only Venues: Card-only merchants in Amsterdam include most merchants at Foodhallen, the EYE film center, and some counter-service restaurants at the airport.
Public Transport: You cannot buy tickets on the bus or tram with cash. You must check in and out with your contactless card (OVpay), credit card, or a purchased chip card.
Contactless Payment: Contactless payment is standard. You can use your phone (Apple Pay / Google Pay) almost everywhere.

Overview: The Netherlands is very much a cashless country. In 2022, 79.6% of all payments was made by debit card, 19.9% was cash and the remaining 0.5% was done by credit card.
Rounding: When paying in cash, the amount to be paid (or received) is rounded off to the nearest 5 cents because, unlike neighboring countries, the 1 and 2 cent coins are not in circulation.
Large Notes: €50 bills are sometimes scrutinized, and €100 bills are rarely accepted in shops.

Major Banks: Zilveren Kruis and VGZ are the largest providers in the Netherlands, with the widest network of partnering GPs and hospitals
Ing Account Opening: ING is one of only two traditional banks in the Netherlands that allow you to open a bank account and provide a BSN later. All you need is a valid identification document
Basic Package Includes: The Basic Payment Package consists of a bank account with 1 debit card and costs €4.30 per month. The Basic Payment Package contains a current account, a debit card and access to online banking services
Mobile Bank Alternative: With bunq, you can open your full account in just five minutes using only your mobile phone. You get real-time access to your account, instant payments, and dedicated customer support available in English, Dutch, German, Italian, and Spanish
Account Approval Timeline: Once the account has been opened, your account information and debit card will be mailed to you within a few days
Basic Payment Package Cost: €4.30

Bsn Requirement: You'll need to register for your BSN within five days of arriving in the country
Non Resident Option: If you're staying less than four months, you can apply for a Dutch BSN as a non-resident
Resident Requirements: The most important documents you'll need to open a Dutch bank account are your passport and proof of address in the Netherlands. This could be a utility bill, rental contract, or some other official, recent document with your name and address on

Online: ABN AMRO lets you open a bank account online using its app - provided you have a Dutch address, an international passport and are liable to pay taxes in the Netherlands
In Person: If you can't open an account online with a particular bank or simply prefer to do it in person, you'll need to visit a local branch. Check first whether you'll need to make an appointment first, then take your documentation along with you on the day

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.