Good to know
Good to Know
- Rotterdam is cashless-friendly: card payments dominate and many businesses are PIN-only. Carrying €20–€50 in emergency cash is practical but optional for day visits.
- Use Geldmaat (yellow) ATMs to minimize fees—€4 per transaction for non-EU cards is the market standard. Avoid independent ATMs in tourist zones.
- Always decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at ATMs; select 'EUR' instead to avoid hidden exchange rate markups.
- Tipping is relaxed: round up your bill or leave 5–10% at restaurants if satisfied. Staff earn livable wages and do not expect tips.
- Public transport (trams, trains) and most shops accept contactless Visa/Mastercard and Apple/Google Pay. You rarely need cash for daily expenses.
ATM Fees
- Best ATM Network
- Geldmaat (yellow-colored ATMs operated by ABN AMRO, ING, and Rabobank)
- Withdrawal Limits
- Typically €250–€400 per transaction for foreign cards; limits vary by card and ATM
- ATM Language Support
- Dutch and English by default; often French, German, Spanish available
Tips
- Use Geldmaat ATMs (bank-operated, inside or near supermarkets, shopping centers)
- Avoid independent/Euronet ATMs in tourist locations; they charge higher fees
- Always decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at the ATM screen; instead choose to be charged in EUR
- Select 'Decline Conversion' or 'Charge in EUR' to avoid extra currency conversion fees
- Withdraw larger amounts to reduce per-transaction fee impact
- Check with your home bank for overseas ATM fee policies before traveling
For Non EU Cards
- Visa fee
- €4.00
- Note
- Standard Geldmaat ATM fee for cards from outside the European Economic Area; independent/tourist ATMs may charge €4.50–€10 per transaction
For EU Issued Cards
- Visa fee
- €0.00
- Note
- Free withdrawals at Geldmaat ATMs for EU-issued cards
Tipping Norms
- Key Principle
- Tipping is a gesture of appreciation for good service, never an obligation. Dutch culture values fairness and transparency; no tip is not considered rude.
- General Culture
- Optional but appreciated; not mandatory. Service staff receive livable wages and do not depend on tips.
Taxis
- Custom
- Not mandatory; rounding up or €1–€2 for longer rides
- Optional
- Yes
- Note
- App-based services (Uber) offer tip option in-app
Hotels
- Porter
- €1–€2 per bag (not expected)
- Optional
- Yes
- Housekeeping
- €1–€2 per day left in envelope (not expected)
Bars And Pubs
- Custom
- Similar to cafés: round up or 5–10% appreciated
- Optional
- Yes
Tours And Guides
- Custom
- Not mandatory; around 10% for exceptional service appreciated
- Optional
- Yes
- Note
- Free walking tours are tip-based; guides may rely on tips as sole income
Casual Counter Service
- Custom
- Not expected; small change or rounding up is acceptable
- Optional
- Yes
Hairdressers Salons Spas
- Custom
- Not expected but small tip appreciated for exceptional service
- Optional
- Yes
Restaurants And Sit Down CaféS
- Custom
- 5–10% for good service, or simply round up to nearest euro
- Optional
- Yes
Card Acceptance
- Summary
- Highly card-based payment environment. Most establishments now prefer card payments, and some businesses no longer accept cash.
Notes
- Many establishments are now PIN-only and do not accept cash
- Tourist areas and city centers: card payments are standard
- Always carry a backup card in case one is declined
Widely Accepted
- Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards
- Contactless payment (tap or mobile)
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
Limited Acceptance
- American Express (less common than Visa/Mastercard)
- Discover card (growing but not universal)
Banking
- Expat Friendly
- Most major banks offer English-language support and online banking platforms designed for international customers.
- Current Accounts
- Standard checking accounts available; some banks offer digital-only options (lower fees).
- Setup Note
- Major Dutch banks include ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, and Bunq. Most offer accounts for expats and international residents.
- Requirements Note
- Typically require BSN (citizen service number, obtained via municipal registration), valid ID, proof of address, and minimum initial deposit. Terms vary by bank.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Rotterdam
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.