Over-75s increasingly pay by debit card in Netherlands
A study by De Nederlandsche Bank and Betaalvereniging Nederland reveals that Dutch consumers, particularly those over 75, are increasingly using debit cards for payments. Cash payments continued to decline in 2025, while contactless transactions gained further ground.
Cash declines, contactless thrives
Dutch consumers made 7.1 billion checkout purchases in 2025, totaling €185 billion, a slight decrease in volume but an increase in value compared to 2024.
Cash payments continued their decline, falling from 1.4 billion in 2024 to 1.2 billion in 2025, with their total value decreasing from €30 billion to €28 billion.
Conversely, card payments, including debit cards, mobile phones, and smartwatches, remained stable in number at 5.8 billion, but their total value rose by 5 percent to €154 billion.
Contactless payments now account for 78 percent of all transactions, with 40 percent via card and 39 percent via mobile or smartwatch, indicating a strong preference for digital convenience.
Traditional chip-and-PIN usage dropped by 2 percentage points to 4 percent.
Seniors embrace digital payments
The shift towards electronic payments is particularly notable among individuals aged 75 and older and those in the lowest income bracket.
For these groups, the share of cash payments, stable at around 30 percent for four years, decreased to 26 percent and 27 percent respectively in 2025.
While they still represent the highest users of cash, the gap with other demographic groups is narrowing.
This trend underscores a broader adoption of digital payment methods.
In inter-personal payments, electronic methods now account for 74 percent of value, up from 70 percent in 2024, with a significant 16 percentage point increase among over-75s.
Digital inclusion gains ground
The ongoing shift from cash to digital payments, even among older demographics, marks progress towards a more efficient payment ecosystem.
Yet, the persistent reliance on cash by some groups, though diminishing, highlights the need for inclusive payment solutions and targeted education.
Ensuring the digital transition leaves no vulnerable segments behind remains a key policy challenge.