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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The Netherlands uses the euro (€). For ordinary purchases, visitors can pay with euro cash or a card; if converting another currency, check the rate and fees offered by your bank, card issuer or exchange provider rather than relying on the European Central Bank’s reference rate.
What currency does the Netherlands use?
The currency is the euro (€), the same currency used throughout the euro area. Euro notes and coins are used across its member countries, so euros you receive in the Netherlands can also be used elsewhere in the euro area. The European Union’s euro overview describes the euro as the official currency of 21 EU countries; that page was last updated on 12 January 2026.
The Dutch guilder is no longer the country’s current currency. Visitors planning everyday spending need euros, not guilders.
How to think about exchange rates
The European Central Bank (ECB) publishes euro reference rates, generally updated on working days. These rates are informational, not a promise of the rate a customer can obtain. The ECB says, “Using the rates for transaction purposes is strongly discouraged.” See its euro foreign exchange reference rates.
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When you exchange money or pay in a currency other than your account’s currency, check the rate and any charges shown by the bank, card issuer or exchange provider handling the transaction. The ECB reference rate can provide context, but it does not establish what your provider will charge.
Can you pay by card in the Netherlands?
EU travel guidance describes cards as a common way to cover everyday travel expenses. It also says euro payments within the EU should not cost more than equivalent domestic electronically processed payments. See the European Commission’s currency and cash guidance for travellers.
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That guidance does not identify the payment options accepted by every Dutch merchant or service. If card acceptance is essential for a particular purchase or booking, confirm it with the provider. For a payment in euros, check your own card’s applicable exchange rate and fees if your account is in another currency.
Can you pay with cash?
Euro notes and coins are legal tender in the euro area. The ECB says businesses are generally obliged to accept cash, while also discussing an EU proposal intended to strengthen cash acceptance. This general guidance is not a guarantee that every individual business accepts cash in every circumstance. If you need cash to pay for a specific service, check its payment terms in advance. The ECB’s information on the role of cash explains the broader context.
What happens to 1- and 2-cent coins?
One- and two-cent euro coins remain valid payment methods in the Netherlands. However, De Nederlandsche Bank says shops may round the total to the nearest €0.05. Rounding applies to the final amount, not to whether those coins are valid. See the bank’s information on Dutch euro coins.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you still exchange Dutch guilders?
Possibly, but the rules differ for banknotes and coins, and the origin of the money matters. The ECB lists 1 January 2032 as the deadline for Dutch guilder banknotes and 1 January 2007 as the deadline for coins. De Nederlandsche Bank does not exchange guilders obtained from commercial activities after 27 January 2002. Before sending old money or making travel plans around an exchange, check DNB’s current Dutch guilder exchange instructions and eligibility conditions. The ECB’s national central bank exchange information lists the country-specific deadlines.
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