The Netherlands is one of the most cashless societies in Europe. Paying with your phone, splitting bills with an app, and completing online purchases directly from your bank account are everyday norms here. For expats, understanding this payment ecosystem is essential from day one.
iDEAL: The Backbone of Dutch Payments
iDEAL is the dominant online payment system in the Netherlands. It processes over 1.2 billion transactions per year and is accepted by virtually every Dutch online retailer, government service, and utility provider.
How iDEAL works:
- At checkout, you select iDEAL as your payment method
- You choose your bank from a dropdown list
- You are redirected to your bank's app or website
- You confirm the payment using your bank's authentication (fingerprint, face ID, or PIN)
- The payment is processed instantly, and you are redirected back to the merchant
It is essentially a direct bank transfer, but instant and integrated into the checkout flow. There are no intermediaries, no card numbers to enter, and no fraud risk from stolen card details.
Which Banks Support iDEAL?
All major Dutch banks support iDEAL: ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, SNS, ASN Bank, Triodos, and bunq. Some international banks like Revolut and N26 do not support iDEAL, which can be a significant limitation for daily life in the Netherlands.
If you rely solely on a non-iDEAL bank, you will find yourself unable to pay for many Dutch online services, including some government portals and health insurance providers. Having at least one iDEAL-compatible account is strongly recommended.
Tikkie: The Social Payment App
Tikkie is to the Netherlands what Venmo is to the US—except it connects directly to your bank account via iDEAL. It was developed by ABN AMRO but works with any iDEAL-compatible bank.
Common Tikkie situations:
- Splitting a restaurant bill (the Dutch are famous for going Dutch)
- Collecting money for a group gift
- Small business payments and freelance invoicing
- Paying back a friend who covered your share
- Landlords collecting additional charges
Getting started with Tikkie:
- Download the Tikkie app (available on iOS and Android)
- Sign up with your phone number
- Link your iDEAL-compatible bank account
- You can now send and receive Tikkie payment requests
You can receive Tikkie payments without the app—payment links work in any browser. But to send Tikkies and manage your requests, you need the app installed.
Contactless Payments (Pinnen)
In the Netherlands, paying by card is called "pinnen" (pronounced "pin-en"). Nearly every store, restaurant, and market stall accepts debit card payments, and contactless (NFC) payments are the norm for amounts under EUR 50.
Key things to know:
- Most merchants accept debit cards (Maestro/V Pay/Debit Mastercard) but not credit cards for in-store purchases
- You will occasionally see "pin only" signs, meaning no cash accepted
- Apple Pay and Google Pay work with most Dutch banks and are increasingly common
- Supermarkets like Albert Heijn and Jumbo fully support contactless payments
Tip: If your card is a Visa or Mastercard credit card, do not assume it will work everywhere. Many smaller shops, market vendors, and even some restaurants only accept Dutch debit cards. Always carry your debit card as your primary payment method.
International Transfers
For sending money abroad, iDEAL and Tikkie are domestic-only solutions. For international transfers, see our guide on sending money abroad from the Netherlands.
Payment Apps Overview
Here is a quick summary of the payment apps you should know about:
- iDEAL: Online payments (built into your bank app, no separate download needed)
- Tikkie: Person-to-person payments and bill splitting
- Apple Pay / Google Pay: Contactless in-store payments via your phone
- Payconiq: QR code payments used at some restaurants and events (less common)
The Dutch payment ecosystem is efficient and largely cashless. Once you have an iDEAL-compatible bank account and Tikkie installed, you are set for 95% of payment situations. Make sure to set up your bank account with a provider that supports these essential services.