Discover the answer on the question: Can you use US dollars in Amsterdam? Read more in this article about the possibility in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. If you plan to visit Amsterdam in the Netherlands and are uncertain about the payments, then this article is important for you.
The official currency of payment in Amsterdam and the Netherlands is the euro (€)
The euro (€) is the official currency in The Netherlands since the first of January 2002. Prior to that the gulden (ƒ)was the official currency. As of 2021 the euro is the official currency in 19 countries in Europe. The country was one of the first with the application of the euro as national currency. The currency has euro bank notes and euro coins. 1 euro is equal towards 100 euro cents.
The following bank notes are in circulation: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro and the following euro coins exist: 1, 2 ,5 ,10, 20, 50, 1 and 2 euro.
Keep in mind that (retail) stores do not accept the 500 euro’s banknote and that 1 and 2 cent are almost non-existent.
The 1 and 2 cents are not used in most stores. If you need to pay 45.23 euro for petrol, then you will pay 45.25 euro at the cashier. This occurs at almost every encounter. However, some places are still interested in the 1 and 2 cents.
The ratio between the US Dollar and the Euro alters day-by-day so please be sure to check this out on a daily base.
But can you use US dollars in Amsterdam?
Short answer: No. It is not possible to pay with US dollars in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. You can change your US Dollars for euro’s at the airport or at exchange offices. Be alert for high transaction fees. You would be surprised how much fee the exchange office at the airport will charge you. Sometimes you are better off just getting euro’s at the ATM. The transaction fee at the ATM might be less than the exchange office
Changing US Dollars for Euro’s at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport
You can trade US Dollars for Euro’s. This is possible at the airport. Dutch banks have their stores inside Schiphol for the customers. It is possible to receive euro’s via ATM’s and service counters from the Dutch banks in Schiphol Airport. You can recognize these ATM’s with the dollar sign ($) or the information provided at these ATM’s.
ABN Amro has two locations before customs (security) and three locations after customs (security). Click here for more information in English about the locations at Schiphol.
Keep in mind that you have to pay a fee for the change.
Can you use a debit card in Amsterdam
You can pay with a debit card in Amsterdam. However, this does not mean that the American debit card is accepted in Dutch stores. A debit card by Visa or Mastercard increases the likelihood of acceptance. However, a debit card such as American Express is highly unlikely to be accepted as a form of payment in The Netherlands.
Be sure to have at least two possibilities of payment. Sometimes the foreign debitcards to not work. As a rule-of-thumb: always ask the staff to be sure.
Can you use a credit card in Amsterdam
Always ask the employees at stores if it is possible to pay with creditcards and also name the brand of the specific creditcard. Some retail stores do not accept creditcards, especially in the supermarket scene . The Netherlands does not have the habit to pay with the creditcard for petty stuff. Some major supermarket chains do not accept the creditcard as a form of payment. You can not usually use American Express cards.
Look out for the logo of Visa or Mastercard at the counter or at the entrance and always ask the employees to be sure.
