Pin No Cash
 

We are wrapping up a two week Netherlands trip, standby for our report. This was a makeup trip that we had to cancel in 2020.

We were surprised that our credit card wasn’t accepted in several establishments. We don’t use debit cards but that’s what they want, some won’t take cash.

We will have a debit card on our next trip.

There is push back in the Netherlands against Visa or Mastercard due to processing costs. Take options and suck it up.

Supermarkets have never taken credit cards, and nor do many other shops. There just isn't a credit card culture here. It implies debt and the Dutch hate debt. It has nothing to do with costs of handling the cards - shops can charge extra for a credit card transaction provided it only covers the actual cost.
Cash has lost favour during covid, but shops should still accept it. The majority of people pay with their bank card everywhere, but some on small fixed incomes prefer to pay cash so they know where they are, and shops are obliged to accept it.
But yes a debit card, with a chip, is definitely a good thing to have in the Netherlands. Many shops etc no longer have machines which can swipe cards. Contactless payment is also normal for low amounts.

Plenty of Dutch people don't even have a credit card. You can usually use Apple pay or something like that, if you don't have a debit card.

This is good information to keep in mind.