Apple Rolling Out Tap to Pay on iPhone in the Netherlands

[JustMarco]

That is the big misconception with The Netherlands. Just because I have a credit card then I am mismanaging and in debt. Most people, myself included, pay their credit card bills in fill every month. The stores in The Netherlands could charge a fee for using credit cards like some places in the US do. I still can’t believe that AH doesn’t accept credit cards.

AH likely incurs only a minimal cost, just a few cents per transaction, when customers use Maestro or VPAY cards. Introducing credit card acceptance could significantly impact their profit margins. Due to the PSD2 directive, businesses in the Netherlands are prohibited from imposing additional charges for alternate payment methods. Although some stores (both online and brick-and-mortar) still practice this, they are legally vulnerable. While this approach might work for smaller businesses, a giant like AH wouldn't be able to bypass these regulations. Therefore, refraining from credit card acceptance seems to be the wiser choice for them.

 

[Heindijs]

What may be convenient right now, might sooner or later lead to a cashless society with all its downsides.

The thing is that we're already very close to a cashless society. Everything from market stalls to vending machines either accepts contactless payment, or requires it.
I don't expect this to be a huge success, seeing as the iPhone is not nearly as prevalent as in the US. As well as there being existing systems for payment in place already. Most have those little portable terminals which are universal.
We're very different from the Germans, who don't trust banks and prefer everything 'bar' and even still use 1 and 2 cent coins.

 

[Macomatic]

The most popular supermarket chain in the Netherlands, Albert Heijn, is notoriously hostile to anyone who does not have a Dutch bank card. They have removed most of the check-outs that had a cashier and replaced them with self check-out stations, at which you can only pay with a Dutch bank card (no credit or debit cards and no cash). Most of the other supermarket chains do accept foreign cards, but Albert Heijn is so predominant in NL that you have to go far out of your way to shop elsewhere. There are small Albert Heijn shops in a few major railway stations which DO accept non-Dutch cards, so they do have the processing arrangements to do it, but they just don't.

And don't get me started on the Dutch "Tikkie" app, which also only works with Dutch bank accounts. "I bought you a cup of tea, so I'm going to send you a "Tikkie" so you can repay me €2. No, I don't want your cash! I will send you a tikkie." But no Dutch account, no can tikkie, and many people in NL have a strong aversion to cash for some reason as if it carries diseases.

Personal experiences.

 

[Macomatic]

AH likely incurs only a minimal cost, just a few cents per transaction, when customers use Maestro or VPAY cards. Introducing credit card acceptance could significantly impact their profit margins. Due to the PSD2 directive, businesses in the Netherlands are prohibited from imposing additional charges for alternate payment methods. Although some stores (both online and brick-and-mortar) still practice this, they are legally vulnerable. While this approach might work for smaller businesses, a giant like AH wouldn't be able to bypass these regulations. Therefore, refraining from credit card acceptance seems to be the wiser choice for them.

Albert Heijn is one of the most expensive supermarkets in NL. Most other supermarket chains, including the cheaper ones like Lidl, Dirk, Aldi, and also Jumbo which is similar in price to Albert Heijn, do accept credit/debit cards from non-Dutch banks. It's just typically an Albert Heijn thing, which is a problem because AH is so predominant in NL. This is not only a problem for visitors from outside the EU but also from other EU countries with euro accounts who are hit with the same payment problems at Albert Heijn.

Similarly, I once went to a medium-sized beer festival in NL but couldn't buy any beer because the sellers only accepted Dutch bank cards for payment. No cash and no foreign cards. There was no sign announcing this.