From 2026 ban on cash payments from €3000 onwards

Cash payments of €3000 or more are expected to be banned from 1 January 2026 at the latest. This ban will apply to paying goods to professional traders (such as shopkeepers). Private individuals may continue to pay amounts higher than €3000 in cash to each other. On 10 June, the Senate approved an amendment to the “Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act” (Wwft) that includes this ban.

The upcoming ban makes it more difficult for criminals to launder large sums of money. At the same time, it provides enough room for citizens to settle many everyday purchases in cash.

By 2027, there will be an EU-wide ban on cash payments above €10,000. Many EU countries already ban large cash payments, even with lower limits than €10,000. The Dutch limit of €3000 was chosen based on what has been established in countries around us. With this, the government wants to prevent criminals in surrounding countries or precisely in the Netherlands from trying to launder their money.

Other Dutch as well as European cash legislation is expected within two years to actually require many counter establishments to accept cash from customers who want it, up to a maximum of €3000.