What currency is used in Amsterdam? The euro, abbreviated EUR and written with the symbol €. The Netherlands has used it since 2002, so there is no separate local currency to worry about, and nothing called a Dutch guilder in your wallet unless you find an old souvenir. That is the short answer. The rest of this page covers the practical side: how people really pay, where cash still matters and how to avoid fees.
What currency is used in Amsterdam? The euro in a nutshell
One euro is divided into 100 cents. Banknotes come in several denominations and coins range from 1 cent to 2 euros. The notes look the same in every country that uses the euro, and the coins have a common side and a national side. Dutch coins show the king, and they work exactly like coins from any other euro country. If you already hold euros from a trip to Germany, France or Spain, you can spend them in Amsterdam. You can read more on the euro and its history if you are curious.
One small quirk worth knowing: in shops, cash payments are often rounded to the nearest 5 cents. Prices still show exact amounts, and the 1 and 2 cent coins are rarely used. If you pay by card, you pay the exact total.
Cards or cash in Amsterdam?
The Netherlands is one of the most card-friendly countries in Europe. Debit cards and credit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants and cafes, and contactless payment is the norm. Some places, especially small ones, prefer card payments or accept only cards. A few tourist-oriented places do not take certain credit cards, so it helps to carry both a debit card and a backup.
Dutch debit cards use their own system, but international Visa and Mastercard debit cards work almost everywhere. American Express is less widely accepted. You will also find that public transport accepts contactless bank cards or phones on many routes, though the rules change, so check the current options on the transport provider’s website before you travel.
When cash still helps
Small amounts of cash are useful for markets, a few street stalls, public toilets, tips, and the odd cafe or brown pub that is cash only. A modest amount, enough for a day or two, is generally enough.
Getting euros: ATMs and exchange
The easiest way to get euros is to withdraw from an ATM at a bank, using your own debit card. Check beforehand what your bank charges for foreign withdrawals and exchange rates. Some independent ATMs in tourist areas have higher fees, and they may offer to convert the amount to your home currency. This is known as dynamic currency conversion, and it is usually a worse deal. If the machine or card reader asks whether you want to pay in your own currency or in euros, choose euros.
Currency exchange booths in the centre often advertise attractive rates but add commissions and hidden fees. If you must exchange cash, compare rates and ask about the full amount you will receive before agreeing. In most cases, a bank ATM will do better.
- Use bank ATMs rather than stand-alone ones in busy tourist streets.
- Always choose to pay in euros when asked.
- Tell your bank you are travelling so your card is not blocked.
- Keep a little cash as a backup, but do not carry more than you need.
Tipping and extras
Tipping is modest in the Netherlands. Service is normally included in the price, but many people round up the bill or leave a few euros in a restaurant if the service was good. In taxis, rounding up is common. Nobody expects the big percentages that are usual in the United States.
Another cost to be aware of is the tourist tax, charged by many hotels in Amsterdam as a percentage of the room rate. It is usually added to the bill at the end of your stay or at booking, so check current rates and conditions.
A quick summary
So, what currency is used in Amsterdam? The euro, and you can pay with a card nearly everywhere. Bring a bit of cash for small purchases, avoid expensive exchange booths and decline the offer to pay in your home currency. With those three habits you will keep your costs low and your trip simple. The city has enough ways to spend your money already, and you do not need to waste any on fees.
More from us: Travel Tips.
