The Netherlands offers one of Europe's most advanced payment ecosystems. Merchants that succeed in this market combine local payment methods with international cards, digital wallets and modern in-store payment acceptance to deliver a seamless customer experience across every sales channel.
Offering the right payment methods can significantly improve conversion rates, reduce cart abandonment and strengthen customer trust. Businesses that fail tosupport local preferences risk losing sales before customers complete checkout.
This guide explores the most popular payment methods in the Netherlands, explains why consumers prefer them and outlines how merchants can optimise their payment strategy.
Why payment preferences matter in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has one of Europe's most mature digital payment ecosystems. Dutch consumers have embraced account-to-account payments for online shopping while increasingly adopting digital wallets for both online and in-store purchases.
Understanding these preferences is essential for merchants. Offering the payment methods customers already know and trust can help improve checkout conversion, reduce cart abandonment and build confidence at the point of purchase.
Online payment preferences
In 2025, account-to-account (A2A) payments, including iDEAL | Wero, bank transfers and direct debit, accounted for 64% of all eCommerce transactions in the Netherlands, making them by far the country's preferred online payment method.
Digital wallets represented 12% of online purchases, while Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions accounted for 10%, matching the market share of credit cards.
These figures highlight a key difference between the Netherlands and many other European markets. Rather than relying primarily on credit cards, Dutch consumers overwhelmingly prefer paying directly from their bank accounts. This is largely driven by the widespread adoption of iDEAL | Wero, which has become synonymous with online shopping in the country.
The outlook to 2030 suggests this behaviour will remain remarkably stable. Account-to-account payments are expected to continue accounting for around 63% of online transactions, while digital wallets are forecast to grow from 12% to 14%, reflecting increasing mobile commerce. BNPL is also expected to see modest growth, rising to 11%, while credit card usage is forecast to decline to 8%.
In-store payment preferences
Payment behaviour differs slightly in physical stores, where debit cards continue to dominate.
In 2025, 60% of all point of sale (POS) transactions were made using debit cards, while digital wallets accounted for nearly one in four payments (24%). Cash now represents just 7% of in-store transactions, highlighting the country's shift towards cashless payments.
The biggest change expected over the next five years is the continued growth of digital wallets. By 2030, they are forecast to account for 31% of in-store payments, while debit cards are expected to decline slightly to 55%. Cash usage is also expected to continue falling.
“The Dutch payments market is one of Europe's most advanced, with online retail forecast to approach €40 billion in 2026 and over 90% of in-store payments made electronically. As competition intensifies, merchants that combine local payment methods with international cards, digital wallets and strong POS acceptance will be best positioned to maximise conversion.”
Suzanne Abbink, SVP Business Development and Managing Director of emerchantpay Netherlands
Top payment methods in the Netherlands
iDEAL | Wero
iDEAL has become the most widely used online payment method in the Netherlands and is deeply embedded in Dutch eCommerce. It enables customers to pay directly from their bank account through their trusted online or mobile banking environment, without needing to enter card details.
Following the acquisition of iDEAL by the European Payments Initiative (EPI), iDEAL is becoming part of Wero, a new European digital payment solution designed to create a more unified account-to-account payment experience across Europe. Building on iDEAL's established infrastructure and strong consumer adoption in the Netherlands, Wero aims to extend the convenience of instant bank payments across additional European markets.
For Dutch consumers, the transition means maintaining the familiar bank-based payment experience they already trust while creating opportunities for more seamless cross border payments in the future. For merchants, supporting iDEAL | Wero will help them continue accepting the Netherlands' preferred online payment method while preparing for the evolution of European account-to-account payments.
Benefits for merchants
- Increases checkout conversion by offering the Netherlands' preferred payment method
- Provides fast payment confirmation through direct bank payments
- Reduces fraud risk through strong customer authentication
- Supports cross border payment opportunities across Europe
Debit cards
Debit cards remain the dominant payment method for in-store purchases, accounting for 60% of point of sale transactions in 2025. Following the replacement of Maestro and V Pay with Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit, consumers can now use their debit cards more easily for both domestic and international purchases.
For merchants with physical stores, supporting modern debit card schemes remains essential.
Benefits for merchants
- Supports the majority of in-store purchases
- Fast and convenient contactless payments
- Broad acceptance among Dutch consumers
- International compatibility through Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit
Digital wallets
Digital wallets continue to gain momentum in the Netherlands as consumers increasingly shop using smartphones and wearable devices. Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal have become popular thanks to their speed, convenience and enhanced security.
Their share of online payments reached 12% in 2025 and is forecast to grow further over the coming years. In-store adoption is increasing even faster, with digital wallets expected to account for nearly one third of all point of sale payments by 2030.
Benefits for merchants
- Faster checkout with fewer payment steps
- Improved mobile conversion
- Tokenised transactions that enhance payment security
- Supports contactless payments in-store and online
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)
BNPL has become an increasingly popular payment option in the Netherlands, representing 10% of online transactions in 2025. Providers such as Klarna and PayPal allow consumers to spread the cost of purchases or pay after delivery, offering greater flexibility.
For merchants, BNPL can increase average order values while making higher value purchases more accessible to customers.
Benefits for merchants
- Improves conversion on higher value purchases
- Can increase average order value
- Provides customers with greater payment flexibility
- Particularly popular in retail and fashion sectors
Credit cards
Although credit cards account for just 10% of online payments and 6% of in-store payments, they remain an important part of the Dutch payment landscape, particularly for international commerce.
They are commonly used for travel bookings, hotel reservations, subscription services and purchases from international merchants.
Benefits for merchants
- Supports international customers
- Essential for travel and hospitality
- Enables recurring payments
- Complements local payment methods
SEPA Direct Debit
SEPA Direct Debit is widely used for recurring payments such as subscriptions, insurance premiums, utilities and memberships. It allows businesses to collect payments directly from customers' bank accounts on agreed dates, providing a reliable solution for recurring billing.
Benefits for merchants
- Simplifies recurring payments
- Improves cash flow predictability
- Reduces manual payment administration
- Supports subscription based business models
Which payment methods should merchants offer in the Netherlands?
There is no single payment method that meets every customer's needs. The most successful merchants offer a combination of local and international payment methods to maximise conversion and accommodate different shopping preferences.
For businesses targeting Dutch consumers, the following payment mix provides the broadest coverage:
- iDEAL | Wero - Essential for all online merchants selling in the Netherlands
- Visa Debit & Mastercard Debit - In-store and online payments
- Apple Pay & Google Pay - Mobile commerce and contactless payments
- PayPal - Cross border shoppers and mobile purchases
- Buy Now, Pay Later - Higher value purchases and retail
- Credit cards - International customers, travel and subscriptions
- SEPA Direct Debit - Subscription businesses and recurring payments
By combining these payment methods, merchants can create a checkout experience that feels familiar, secure and convenient for both domestic and international customers.
Emerging payment trends in the Netherlands
As one of Europe's most digitally advanced economies, the Netherlands continues to shape the future of payments. Merchants that stay ahead of these developments will be better positioned to meet changing customer expectations.
Digital wallets continue to grow
Digital wallet adoption is expected to accelerate over the coming years, driven by increasing smartphone usage and consumer demand for faster, more secure checkouts.
With digital wallets forecast to account for 31% of in-store payments by 2030, merchants should ensure they support solutions such as Apple Pay and Google Pay across both online and physical channels.
Account-to-account payments remain the preferred online payment method
While many countries continue to rely heavily on card payments, Dutch consumers remain committed to account-to-account payments. These payments are forecast to maintain approximately 63% of the online payment market by 2030, demonstrating the continued importance of iDEAL | Wero and other bank-based payment methods.
Mobile commerce is reshaping the checkout experience
Mobile devices are playing an increasingly important role in how consumers discover brands, compare products and complete purchases. The Netherlands has one of the highest smartphone adoption rates in Europe, with smartphone penetration exceeding 97%, creating a strong foundation for mobile commerce.
Consumers are also becoming more comfortable using their smartphones to make payments in physical settings. According to Statista, 23% of Dutch consumers used mobile payments for everyday purchases, while 22% paid with their mobile device in restaurants and 18% used mobile payments in bars and cafés. Interestingly, mobile payments were also used for public transport tickets (11%), admission tickets (9%) and travel bookings (7%) in 2024, demonstrating that mobile payments are becoming part of everyday life across a range of purchase scenarios.
Open Banking and instant payments
The continued development of Open Banking and instant payment infrastructure across Europe is creating new opportunities for merchants. Faster account-to-account payments, improved authentication and richer financial data are expected to further enhance the customer payment experience over the coming years.
The Netherlands is already one of Europe's leading markets for instant payments. In 2023, the country processed approximately 1.3 billion instant payment transactions, representing 10.9% of all paper-based and electronic payments. By 2028, that figure is forecast to more than triple to 4.2 billion transactions, accounting for 28% of all payments.
Contactless payments are dominating POS payments
Contactless payments have become the preferred way to pay in the Netherlands. In 2025, more than 95% of all debit card payments at point of sale were made using contactless technology. Of these, 51% were made using a physical contactless debit card, while 43% were completed using a smartphone or smartwatch, highlighting the growing adoption of digital wallets for everyday purchases.
Dutch consumers also benefit from a secure contactless payment experience. While purchases of any value can be made using contactless technology, PIN verification is required for physical card transactions over €50, helping balance convenience with security. As consumers become more comfortable paying with smartphones and smartwatches, the Dutch payments landscape is continuing its shift towards a cashless economy.
Omnichannel and unattended payments are becoming increasingly important
Dutch consumers increasingly expect payment experiences that are fast, convenient and consistent across every channel. As a result, omnichannel and unattended payments are becoming a defining feature of the Dutch payments landscape.
Unattended payments have become particularly common across the Netherlands, with contactless payments now widely accepted at petrol stations, parking facilities, public transport, self service kiosks and hospitality venues. These environments rely on fast, secure transactions that minimise waiting times while delivering a seamless customer experience.
FAQs
What is the most popular payment method in the Netherlands?
Account-to-account payments are the most popular way to pay online in the Netherlands, accounting for 64% of eCommerce transactions in 2025. iDEAL | Wero is the country’s leading online payment solution and is widely used by Dutch consumers.
Do people in the Netherlands use credit cards?
Yes, although credit cards are less popular than in many other European countries. They account for
10% of online payments and 6% of in-store payments, with bank payments and debit cards remaining the preferred options.Is iDEAL | Wero only available in the Netherlands?
iDEAL
| Wero is primarily designed for payments made through Dutch banks. However, international merchants can accept iDEAL | Wero payments through payment service providers such as emerchantpay, enabling them to sell to customers in the Netherlands.Which digital wallets are most popular in the Netherlands?
Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal are among the most widely used digital wallets. Their popularity continues to grow as consumers increasingly shop using mobile devices and contactless payments.
Does the Netherlands use PayPal?
Yes. PayPal accounts for around
6% of online payments in the Netherlands. While iDEAL | Wero is the preferred payment method for domestic online purchases, PayPal remains widely used, particularly for cross-border shopping and purchases from international merchants.How emerchantpay helps businesses accept payments in the Netherlands
Expanding into the Dutch market requires more than simply accepting card payments. Merchants need a payment strategy that reflects local consumer preferences while supporting international growth.
emerchantpay enables businesses to offer a wide range of local and global payment methods through a single integration, helping merchants deliver secure, flexible and localised payment experiences.
Our payment platform provides:
- A single integration for multiple payment methods
- Advanced fraud prevention tools
- Recurring payment capabilities
- Multi-currency processing
- Dedicated payment expertise to support international expansion
Whether you're entering the Dutch market for the first time or optimising an existing payment strategy, emerchantpay helps businesses increase conversion and deliver a seamless customer experience.
Contact our sales team here.