Knowing what currency is used in the Netherlands is critical if you’re heading to the land of windmills and tulips.
Money makes the world go round, so allow us to enlighten you on what you’ll need to pay in Amsterdam and beyond.
The euro, used in many European countries, is the currency the Netherlands uses today. The euro is used all over the aptly named “Eurozone” so if you’re planning on visiting most of the neighbouring countries to Holland, sorting out your currency is easy!
Right, the easy part is done. You know what currency you’ll need. But here come the trickier questions, like:
- Can you use your foreign bank card in the Netherlands?
- What is the best way to exchange money?
- What if you want to shop online in the Netherlands or make an international transfer from your new Dutch home or hotel?
Let’s dive in!
Using euros in the Netherlands
If you’re travelling to the Netherlands for a short stay, the first thing you need to do is let your bank at home know that you will be leaving the country.
Otherwise, they may mistake the foreign transactions as theft and potentially freeze your account!
If you’re moving to the Netherlands on a long-term stay, you also need to set up a Dutch bank account.
There are many banks to choose from, but if you’re just in the country for a short visit or until you have something organised, there are some important things for you to be aware of.
Your bank cards might not work in the Netherlands
Unfortunately, many of your bank cards are unlikely to be accepted in the Netherlands.
The Dutch are not so big on credit cards, including Visa Debit or Debit Mastercards, so in supermarkets and smaller stores you’ll either need to pay with a Dutch debit card or cash.
READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #48: Say no to credit cards
A foreign debit card may work at the grocery store in some cases, but this is rare. Smaller stores may sometimes accept credit cards, but this could come with a small fee.
Luckily, if you’re paying at a restaurant, tourist destination or hotel, major credit and debit cards like Visa, MasterCard and American Express are often accepted.
You can use cash to tip in the Netherlands, but it’s also very common to use cards.
Exchanging money in the Netherlands
There are a couple of ways that you can exchange money and get Dutch currency.
Avoid converting your money in the airport or train stations as these third parties may charge high fees and give a terrible exchange rate. Hotels, bars, and vendors are also notorious for giving tourists a bad deal.
The best way to get cash in the Netherlands is to use your card at a Dutch ATM. By using your card to convert your cash, you’ll get your card provider’s exchange rate — which is closer to the “mid-market” rate that you see in the news.
Of course, make sure to check your bank’s foreign transaction conversion fee and overseas ATM fee before you go.
Tip: If the ATM offers you a choice of converting the money for you or letting your bank convert it, always let your bank convert. A quick calculation will show that you will have saved a bunch of moolah.
How to find an ATM in the Netherlands
There tends to be a lot of ATMs dotted around, so finding an ATM isn’t usually too difficult.
There are even apps for locating the nearest VISA, MasterCard/Maestro and Amex ATMs. If your card doesn’t work at one ATM, don’t give up! Just try an ATM from a different bank.
READ MORE | The best credit cards for expats in the Netherlands
Shopping online in the Netherlands
The go-to method for paying online in the Netherlands is the fabulous iDEAL system. Unfortunately, this can only be used with Dutch bank accounts, but once you’ve set yourself up with one, using iDEAL definitely lives up to its name.
READ MORE | What is iDEAL? Your guide to the Dutch online payment system
Of course, if you desperately need to purchase something online and don’t have iDEAL, don’t stress — some bigger web stores also accept credit cards.
Transferring money in the Netherlands
Sending money to your home country can be ridiculously expensive if you don’t know the right way around it. But even local transfers can give you a headache if you aren’t aware of simple transfer tricks
Transferring currency within the Netherlands
Let me introduce you to the mistress of all Dutch people — the humble Tikkie.
Here’s a typical scenario: you’re out with some Dutch friends for dinner, one person pays and then casually remarks, “I’ll send you guys the Tikkie.” When I first heard this, I thought it was some kind of Dutch version of the tuk-tuk, a vehicle that would take us home. Sadly, it wasn’t.
READ MORE | What is Tikkie? How to use the Dutch’s favourite payment system
A Tikkie is a payment request that you can send through WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and more.
When you receive the Tikkie, you simply click on the link and are taken directly to the bank app on your phone so you can send the money in one click. Super easy!
Of course, to jump on the Tikkie bandwagon, you’ll need a Dutch bank account and a Dutch, Belgian, or German telephone number.
Transferring currencies internationally
This next tip is guaranteed to save you a ton of money. Forget making international payments through dinosaur bank transfers. What you need is TransferWise. Sending money to and from the Netherlands has never been cheaper or easier.
You simply create a TransferWise account which you link to your bank account. Then you select how much you want to send and it’ll show you the (super low) transfer fees that they’ll charge.
Before the euro: the Dutch guilder
From the 17th Century until 2002, the currency used in the Netherlands was the Dutch guilder.
The name comes from the old Dutch word gulden which means golden, indicating that the coin was originally made from gold. When the conversion was made, 2.20371 Dutch guilders would equate to one single euro.
How have you found dealing with the currency in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below.
