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Paying abroad: debit cards gain ground

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Although cash remains the payment method most commonly used by people from the Netherlands in many situations abroad, debit cards have gained further ground compared with last year. This has mainly come at the expense of credit cards, according to DNB’s latest annual survey of consumer payment behaviour in and towards other euro-area countries.

SEPA becoming visible

The payment behaviour of Dutch consumers abroad is increasingly resembling how they pay at home. The effects of the creation of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) are becoming clearer, as consumers increasingly pay in the same way domestically and abroad. People from the Netherlands often pay by debit card, including abroad, and are increasingly satisfied with debit card acceptance and security outside the country. Only 4% are dissatisfied. In 2012, consumers used debit cards more often and credit cards less often at petrol stations, restaurants, accommodation providers, on public transport and for tolls. Unlike in earlier years, there is no clear trend in cash use. In some situations, consumers used less cash and paid more often by debit card. Elsewhere, cash use increased, mainly at the expense of credit cards. What is clear is that Dutch consumers used credit cards less frequently and instead paid more often either in cash or by debit card.

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