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Reachability of cash

Cash is still easily reachable in the Netherlands: more than 99% of households have access to an ATM or bank branch within five kilometers. At the same time, the number of physical locations is declining due to the growth of digital payments, which has made vulnerable groups more critical about reachability. Agreements in the Cash Covenant and structural monitoring in the National Forum on the Payment System are working to guarantee the availability, reachability, and availability of cash, now and in the future.

Reachability

The reachability of cash in the Netherlands is still very good: more than 99% of all Dutch households have a bank branch or ATM within five kilometers as the crow flies. Reachability to cash therefore remains well organized, both for consumers who want to withdraw money and for merchants who want to deposit money.

Nevertheless, some vulnerable groups have become more critical of the distance to bank branches and ATMs. This is because the number of physical locations has decreased in recent years, especially in smaller villages and nation wide areas. At the same time, the use of debit cards and internet or mobile banking has increased significantly, resulting in less use of bank branches, ATMs, and deposit locations. This has led to social and political debate about the future reachability of cash.

Cash Agreement

The Cash Convenant was drawn up in 2022. The agreements in this covenant aim to ensure that cash continues to function properly as a means of payment at the counter.

Acceptance of cash

For the first time, specific attention was paid to the acceptance of cash. Almost all shops and other points-of-sale still accept cash.

However, this requires extra attention for organizations with a local monopoly, such as municipal counters or institutions where there is no alternative provider in the vicinity. In such situations, it is important that consumers continue to have the option of paying in cash.

Accessibility

The Dutch Payments Association considers it important that as many people as possible can continue to use payment services. Vulnerable groups must also be able to manage their daily banking affairs as independently as possible. That is why the Dutch Payments Association is a member of the National Forum on the Payment System (NFPS), which closely monitors reachability and availability issues.

As fewer and fewer people pay with cash, the network of ATMs and bank branches with cash functions is also shrinking. This is leading to social and political debate, particularly nation wide.

Facts and figures

  • 19.2% In 2024, approximately 1.38 billion cash transactions were made at the point-of-sale in the Netherlands, accounting for 19.2% of all payments
    In 2024, approximately 1.38 billion cash transactions were made at the point-of-sale in the Netherlands, accounting for 19.2% of all payments
  • 5.77billion The vast majority of transactions, namely 5.77 billion payments (or 80.8%), were made electronically by debit card or credit card
    The vast majority of transactions, namely 5.77 billion payments (or 80.8%), were made electronically by debit card or credit card
  • 129million In 2022, there were 129 million ATM withdrawals (GEA withdrawals)
    In 2022, there were 129 million ATM withdrawals (GEA withdrawals)