A Third of Dutch Citizens Embrace the Digital Euro

New survey on payment behavior reveals trends in Europe

Amsterdam, February 13, 2025 - The way we pay is rapidly changing. As cash becomes less and less used and recent advice suggested having it at home, interest in digital payment methods is growing. The latest survey reveals that one in three Dutch people is open to using the digital euro. This market research, conducted by BearingPoint in nine European countries, shows that each country has its own preferences and traditions when it comes to payments.

Digital euro gains recognition, but adoption lags behind despite the strong rise of digital payment methods and the decline of cash, interest in the digital euro continues to grow. Remarkably, there is a high level of trust in banks. "Consumers trust banks up to ten times more than technology companies to manage transaction data for the digital euro," says Joost Loves, Partner at BearingPoint.

It is noteworthy that the digital euro is becoming increasingly known among the Dutch. This shows that information about it is increasingly reaching the general public. "Our research clearly shows that payment preferences vary greatly by country. While cash remains dominant in countries like Austria and Germany, we see strong digitalization in Sweden. The digital euro is mainly seen in the Netherlands as a complement to existing payment methods, with trust and ease of use being crucial factors," Joost states.

However, recognition does not automatically mean usage. The survey shows how the Dutch expect to use the digital euro:

• 18% would use the digital euro at least 2-3 times a week
• 12% would use the digital euro less than 2-3 times per 2 weeks
• 20% say they will never use the digital euro
• The remaining respondents are unsure

These figures show that a portion of the Dutch population is open to the digital euro, but there is still a lot of uncertainty. The digital currency will first need to prove itself before widespread acceptance occurs.

About the research

BearingPoint has been regularly researching payment behavior in Europe since 2019. The latest survey was conducted between November 19 and December 1, 2024, with 10,222 respondents from nine countries, including the Netherlands. The results are representative of the adult population in each country. The full results and further analyses can be found on our website.