The Netherlands Currency Guide

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Euro Banknotes and Coins
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In the Netherlands, the official currency is the Euro, just like in many other European countries.

You can exchange your money for Euros at a bank, currency exchange office, or a hotel.

The Euro is divided into 100 cents, and you'll often see prices displayed with two decimal places.

It's worth noting that many businesses in the Netherlands, especially smaller ones, may not accept credit or debit cards.

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What Is Dutch Currency?

The Netherlands uses the Euro as its official currency, adopted in 2002. You can spot the Euro symbol € on foreign exchange markets and it's represented by the currency code EUR.

The Euro is commonly written with the symbol € preceding the numerals, so you might see 10€ instead of €10. Full stops are used to denote decimal points, like €1,50.

Guilder banknotes can still be exchanged at De Nederlandsche Bank until 2032, but guilder coins can no longer be exchanged.

Additional reading: What Is a Currency Symbol

Exchange and Usage

Credit: youtube.com, How to exchange US Dollars to EUROS (or any foreign currency) on vacation

If you've decided to exchange your currency upon arrival in the Netherlands, you have three main options. The Netherlands Central bank still exchanges guilder coins until January 1, 2007, but banknotes remain exchangeable until 2032.

The official currency in the Netherlands is the Euro, adopted in 2002, and is commonly written as the symbol €. The Euro is also represented on the foreign exchange market with the currency code EUR.

The Euro became the official currency of the Netherlands in 2002, but some countries still allowed holders of old currency to use them for a while.

What Is Used?

The official currency in the Netherlands is the Euro, adopted as the official currency in 2002.

Eighteen other European Union members have also adopted the euro as legal tender, making up the eurozone.

The euro is commonly written as the symbol € and is represented on the foreign exchange market with the currency code EUR.

It's worth noting that the euro is widely accepted and used in the Netherlands, making it easy for tourists and locals alike to conduct transactions.

Exchange Rate

Credit: youtube.com, Imports, Exports, and Exchange Rates: Crash Course Economics #15

The Netherlands uses the Euro as its official currency, which was adopted in 2002 and is represented by the symbol € and the currency code EUR.

In 2012, the Netherlands exported approximately $556.5 billion worth of goods, which consisted mainly of machinery, chemicals, fuels, and foodstuffs.

The Euro is the official currency of the Netherlands and 17 other European Union members, making up the eurozone.

You can exchange your currency for euros at various places in the Netherlands, including currency exchange stores and the airport.

If you're looking for the best deals, consider exchanging your currency online before you leave home, as this can save you money compared to exchanging at the airport.

Here are three ways to buy euros from home:

  • Buying euros online to be delivered or for you to pick up in-store.
  • Swapping AUD for EUR at a currency exchange store.
  • Buying euros at the airport.

The Dutch guilder was the official currency of the Netherlands for 322 years, from 1680 to 2002, but it's no longer used as legal tender.

Guilder banknotes can still be exchanged at the Dutch bank until 2032, but guilder coins are no longer exchangeable.

Bank Card Usage

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Using your bank card in the Netherlands is a convenient option. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted types of bank cards.

Some businesses may charge fees of between 2% and 6% for bank card payments. Debit cards are widely used by locals, so you should have few problems using yours.

If you're planning to rely on your bank card for transactions, it's essential to understand the fees and charges associated with it.

Exchange Outlets

If you're looking to exchange your money in the Netherlands, you'll want to avoid airports, hotels, and businesses like bars and coffee shops, as they're infamous for their high fees.

You can find currency exchange bureaus called grenswisselkantor (GWK) at train stations in larger cities outside of Amsterdam. In Amsterdam and Rotterdam, there are also independent exchange offices.

Outside of Amsterdam, you'll likely find GWK counters at train stations, but in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, you can also find independent exchange offices. Expect poor exchange rates at these locations.

Pott Change in Amsterdam is one exception to the poor exchange rates, but it's still worth shopping around to get the best deal.

History of Dutch Currency

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The Dutch currency has a rich history, dating back to the Middle Ages. The first known Dutch currency was the silver penny, introduced in the 12th century.

In the 16th century, the Dutch East India Company issued its own currency, the guilder, which became the standard unit of currency in the Netherlands. The guilder was pegged to the silver standard, which meant that its value was tied to the value of silver.

The Dutch currency has undergone several changes over the centuries, with the introduction of the gulden in 1795 and the adoption of the decimal system in 1815.

19th Century

The 19th century was a tumultuous time for the Dutch currency, with several changes taking place in a relatively short period. The Bank of Amsterdam, which had been instrumental in stabilizing the gulden, collapsed in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars.

In 1817, the United Kingdom of the Netherlands redefined the gulden as either 9.613 g silver or 0.60561 g gold. This standard was doomed to fail due to the existence of silver kronenthalers in the former Austrian Netherlands, which were valued at 2.7 gulden and contained 25.71 g fine silver. The gulden's gold equivalent was also worth only 9.39 g in silver at a Gold-Silver ratio of 15.5 in neighboring France.

Close-Up Shot of Coins
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Following Belgium's secession from the Netherlands in 1830, a new solution was implemented in 1840, reducing the gulden to 9.45 g fine silver and repealing its fixed equivalence in gold. This change brought a measure of stability to the Dutch currency.

The gulden was decimally divided into 100 cents, and the 1-gulden coin was permanently issued.

Euro Changeover

The euro changeover in the Netherlands was a significant event that took place in 2002. The guilder was replaced by the euro at an exchange rate of 2.20371 guilders = 1 Euro.

The guilder was the official currency of the Netherlands for 322 years, from 1680 to 2002. During this time, it underwent several changes, including a brief period when the French franc was in circulation from 1810 to 1814.

Guilder coins were still exchangeable at branches of the Netherlands Central Bank until January 1, 2007, while banknotes remained exchangeable until January 1, 2032. However, banknotes received as payment for commercial goods or services after January 27, 2002, are not exchangeable.

Some guilder banknotes can still be exchanged today, but it's essential to check the list of valid exchange dates for each note.

1500–60

Credit: youtube.com, 1500's to 1900's Gold Netherlands Ducats

In the 1500s, the Spanish Netherlands experienced a significant depreciation of the stuiver, which modestly depreciated between 1466 and 1475.

The stuiver was not alone in its decline, as the bullion content of other currencies like the French livre parisis and the English pound sterling began to approach similar values. By 1549, the French livre parisis was 20.4 g fine silver, and in 1551, 1/6th of a pound sterling was 19.2 g fine silver.

The influx of precious metals from Germany and Spanish America arriving through the Habsburg Netherlands in the second half of the 16th century further accelerated the depreciation of the Gulden. This had a profound impact on the value of the currency.

The value of the Gulden was such that in 1626, Pieter Schaghen was able to purchase the Island of Manhattan from the Indians for the value of 60 guilders.

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Dutch Money Details

In the Netherlands, you'll find a variety of banknotes and coins in circulation, issued by the Dutch Central Bank.

Credit: youtube.com, The Genius Design of Dutch Money

The largest denomination of banknotes is 100 euros, which is a relatively large amount for everyday transactions.

You can easily exchange your money for euros at a bank or currency exchange office in the Netherlands.

Coins in the Netherlands come in denominations of 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 25c, 50c, and 1€, 2€.

Dutch Money Details

In the Netherlands, euro coins feature the Dutch Queen or King on the national side.

The two smallest coins, the one and two cent coins, are often avoided in Dutch shops.

Cash transactions are rounded up to the nearest five cents in the Netherlands.

This is voluntary, unlike in Finland where it's the law.

One cent, two cents, six cents, and seven cents are rounded down to the nearest five cents.

Three cents, four cents, eight cents, and nine cents are rounded up to the nearest five cents.

Even though they're often avoided, one and two cent coins are still accepted as payment.

Recommended read: Coins and Currency in India

Dutch Money

Credit: youtube.com, Dutch Money throughout History, Guilders and Daalders

The Netherlands was actually one of the fastest countries to completely transition from its old currency to euros.

Guilder banknotes can still be exchanged at De Nederlandsche Bank until 2032.

In the Netherlands, the symbol typically follows the numerals, so €10 will often be written as 10€.

Full stops denote decimal points in the Netherlands, so you'll see €1,50 written with a full stop.

Every country in the eurozone has its own national design on one side of the coins.

Travel and Costs

Traveling to the Netherlands can be a cost-effective experience. The country has a relatively low cost of living compared to other European nations.

The Netherlands currency, the Euro, is widely accepted in the country, making it easy to navigate financially. You can exchange your money for Euros at airports, banks, or currency exchange offices.

Accommodation costs vary depending on the location and type of accommodation. A budget-friendly option is to stay in a hostel, with prices starting from around €20-€30 per night.

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Food prices in the Netherlands are generally reasonable, with a meal at a mid-range restaurant costing around €15-€25 per person. Eating at a street food market or food truck can be even more affordable, with prices starting from €5-€10 per meal.

Public transportation in the Netherlands is efficient and affordable, with a single ticket costing around €2-€3. Consider purchasing a public transportation card for longer trips or frequent travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in the Netherlands in US dollars?

The estimated monthly cost of living in the Netherlands is around $3,654.5, which is about 6.5% lower than in the United States. This estimate does not include rent, which is 21% lower on average in the Netherlands compared to the US.

Allison Emmerich

Senior Writer

Allison Emmerich is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in technology and its impact on daily life. Her work often explores the latest trends in digital payments and financial services, with a particular focus on mobile payment ATMs. Based in a bustling urban center, Allison combines her technical knowledge with a knack for clear, engaging prose to bring complex topics to a broader audience.

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