Ever wondered why some payment terminals accept Visa and Mastercard but not American Express, and what that costs you?
This short overview explains how major brands and issuers operate in the Dutch market. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted across shops and transport. American Express is more selective and often found at big retailers, airlines, and hotels.
Travelers and locals should note typical non-euro surcharges: about 2% on many bank and ICS products and 2.5% on AMEX Dutch-issued cards. Chip & PIN is standard. Contactless works for small sums, and Apple Pay and Google Pay are common on bank-issued lines.
Applications usually involve a BKR check and take about 5–10 working days. Monthly billing and purchase protections vary by tier. The following sections will compare ICS Visa World, AMEX Membership Rewards and Flying Blue, plus bank and prepaid options to help readers choose the best product.
Understanding card acceptance in the Netherlands today
When paying in the Netherlands, visitors will usually find Visa and Mastercard work at most tills. Daily retail favors these networks, with supermarkets, chains, and many high‑street shops showing logos at the door. American Express is increasingly accepted but tends to appear at larger stores, airlines, and hotel groups.
Debit remains dominant for locals, so bringing a Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard is wise along with a credit option for bookings. Hotels, car rentals, and online travel agencies generally accept all major networks, making them safe for reservations and larger purchases.
Chip‑and‑PIN is the checkout standard and contactless taps speed small transactions. Apple Pay and Google Pay have strong support on bank and ICS lines; American Express also works with Apple Pay at NFC terminals, improving access.
foreign credit cards Netherlands fees explained
Understanding what a card charges for non‑euro purchases helps avoid surprises on your statement.
Most Dutch issuers and international card services add an FX surcharge of about 2% on non‑euro transactions. American Express typically charges around 2.5%.
Annual charges per year vary by tier. For example, the ICS visa world options list entry‑level at €42.95 per year, Gold at €57.95 per year, and Platinum near €175 per year.
Interest applies only if the balance is not paid. Statements arrive per month, and paying in full avoids finance charges. AMEX charge products require monthly settlement.
Limits are set by income and score. ICS often issues a credit limit between €1,000 and €5,000 with a minimum net monthly income around €1,150.
Purchase protection ranges from about 180 days up to 365 days at higher tiers. Compare total cost of ownership — per year dues, FX surcharges and included travel insurance help determine value.
Widely accepted options from ICS: Visa World and Mastercard lines
ICS positions a clear lineup for everyday use and travel. The international card services portfolio includes Visa World and a matching Mastercard range designed around purchase protection and travel perks.
The Visa World family starts with the Visa World Card at €42.95 per year and 180‑day purchase protection. Visa World Card Gold costs €57.95 per year and adds 365‑day protection plus supplementary travel insurance. The Visa World Platinum is €175 per year with 365‑day protection and continuous travel insurance.
ICS’ Mastercard options mirror that structure. Classic is €35.95 per year with 180‑day protection. Gold is €45 per year and extends protection to 365 days with added travel insurance. Black is €225 per year and includes AXA travel cover, four lounge visits and fast‑track security passes for frequent flyers.
Acceptance of visa and Mastercard logos is strong across Dutch retail, so these products work well as daily drivers. Applicants usually need a net monthly income around €1,150 and a typical credit limit ranges from €1,000 to €5,000 after checks.
Cardholders should note a roughly 2% FX charge on non‑euro transactions, support for Apple Pay, and online app management. Match Classic/World for basic cover, Gold for longer protection, and Platinum/Black if lounge access and travel benefits justify the per year charge. Compare points and lounge value against the annual cost to pick the most cost‑effective credit card.
American Express in the Netherlands: rewards, lounges, and forex fees
American Express focuses on travel perks and rewards that can offset its higher per year costs.
Acceptance at everyday shops is lower, so american express works best as a secondary card for travel and larger purchases. The issuer charges a 2.5% forex fee on non-euro transactions, above the typical ~2% rate on Visa and Mastercard.
Membership Rewards options include Green (€78 per year), Gold (€240 per year) and american express platinum (€780 per year). Platinum adds Privium Plus, global lounges and full travel insurance. Gold gives four lounge passes and a €100 dining credit; Green is the low-cost entry, often free in year one.
Flying Blue co-branded products suit KLM/Air France loyalists. Flying Blue platinum (€660 per year) and Gold (€198 per year) offer welcome miles and XP boosts. Silver (€75 per year) usually waives the first year fee.
Applicants should expect income thresholds (about €30,000 for american express platinum, €20,000 for Gold/Green) and up to 10 working days for approval. Pair an american express with a widely accepted Visa or Mastercard to cover acceptance gaps while earning points and lounge access.
Dutch bank credit cards for residents: ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank, ASN
Major Dutch banks offer simple, app‑managed cards that suit everyday spending and travel needs.
ABN AMRO lists a basic credit card at €2.15 per month (~€25.80 per year). The Gold tier is €4.45 per month (~€53.40 per year). Both include purchase protection (180 days for the standard card, 365 days for Gold) and travel delay cover. A student option runs about €1.16 per month. Typical income requirements sit near €1,150 net.
ING’s Creditcard costs €1.90 per month (~€22.80 per year) with 180‑day protection and a PlatinumCard at €4.35 per month (~€52.20 per year) with extended travel and rental cover. ING often requires at least €650 per month to be paid into the account. A student variant is €1.20 per month.
Rabobank’s RaboCard (Visa or Mastercard) is roughly up to €2 per month depending on the package. Standard purchase protection is 180 days; Gold can reach 360 days. The basic credit limit commonly starts at €1,000 and income expectations are about €1,000 net.
ASN offers a Visa via ICS at about €35 per year with 180‑day protection. Credit limits typically range from €1,000 to €5,000 and the product is for ASN account holders.
Across these banks the forex surcharge is around 2% for non‑euro transactions. All cards integrate with each bank’s app, and support for Apple Pay and Google Pay varies by issuer. Students can start with low‑cost student cards, while residents seeking longer protection or higher limits should consider Gold or Platinum tiers that match their income and travel needs.
Prepaid and virtual cards that work in the Netherlands
Prepaid and virtual options offer fast, low‑risk ways to pay in the Netherlands without income checks. Revolut, N26, bunq and Trade Republic provide free prepaid accounts that open in minutes and work in shops and online.
Trade Republic’s Visa pays interest on balances, and bunq advertises suitability for car rentals. Openbank’s eCommerce Card is virtual and charges zero commissions on foreign currency purchase, which can beat traditional FX charges.
These app‑first products give tight controls: virtual numbers, load limits and instant blocking. That makes them safer for online purchase and travel budgeting. For guaranteed in‑store acceptance, pair a prepaid with a widely accepted credit card or debit alternative.
Compare per year and per month costs, interest offers, and features like virtual cards and spending analytics before choosing. They suit newcomers and short stays, but travelers should confirm rental and merchant acceptance, especially if american express is expected.
💡 Online shopping with credit cards in the Netherlands secure payment guide
Insurance, points, and perks: what features matter in the Dutch context
Choosing a card in the Dutch market comes down to how much travel protection and purchase cover it includes. Premium bank and ICS Gold or Platinum tiers push purchase protection to 365 days and add continuous travel insurance.
Travel insurance commonly bundles trip delay, baggage delay, and emergency medical cover. Cardholders should check limits and exclusions, and buy a standalone policy for long trips or high-risk activities.
Points programs differ. american express Membership Rewards offers flexible redemptions, while Flying Blue gives airline miles and XP perks. Match the program to real travel patterns to get value.
Extra perks such as lounge access and fast-track (for example ICS Mastercard Black and AMEX Platinum) matter most to frequent flyers. These features can justify higher annual costs for people who travel often.
Final choice should weigh insurance scope, purchase protection, points value, and the annual cost. Pair a premium travel card with a widely accepted Visa or Mastercard for everyday reliability in the Netherlands
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How to apply and get approved in the Netherlands
Most applicants find that a clean income record and a Dutch bank account speed an application. Issuers will usually run a BKR check for dutch credit where applicable.
Typical income thresholds sit around €1,150 net per month for many ICS and bank products. ING accepts €650 deposited per month for its standard option, and Rabobank normally asks for about €1,000 net.
Issuers set an initial credit limit based on income and history. Clients can request a higher credit limit after consistent on‑time payments. Expect monthly statements and use direct debit to pay in full and avoid interest.
American Express charge cards do not require BKR registration but still need proof of sufficient income. Approval timelines run about 5–10 working days for ICS and up to 10 for american express, though extra documents may be requested.
Those with thin files should apply for lower‑limit bank cards or use prepaid/virtual options while building history. Finally, check which network is accepted where you shop before you apply credit card to be sure the chosen card fits daily needs.
Best‑fit choices and fee‑savvy tips for using foreign and Dutch cards
A two‑card approach is the best credit fit for most visitors and residents. Use a widely accepted Visa or Mastercard for day‑to‑day purchases and an american express product for rewards and airport perks where accepted.
Minimize FX costs by using Visa/Mastercard for non‑euro spend (~2% FX) and Openbank’s eCommerce Card for zero‑commission online currency buys. Choose AMEX Platinum or Flying Blue Platinum only if the per year value outweighs the annual cost.
Budget shoppers should test ABN AMRO or ING entry options with low per month charges and 180‑day purchase protection. Pay statements in full to avoid interest and keep income and on‑time payments steady to increase your credit limit over time.
