100-euro banknotes tested at 46 Dutch ATM locations

Most customers offered the larger note choose it, but the trial does not settle whether shops will accept it.

Geldmaat, the Dutch cash machine operator, is testing 100-euro banknotes at 46 locations across the Netherlands. Among customers offered the choice, 57 percent select the larger note. Those taking out larger sums choose it more often.

The operator is running the trial with De Nederlandsche Bank, the Dutch central bank. Previously, €50 was the largest banknote available from Dutch cash machines. However, customer demand does not mean every shop will welcome the larger notes.

Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported the trial findings. A decision on whether to keep the notes in the machines is expected early in 2027. For now, the test covers only the selected locations.

What the trial results show

The 57 percent figure applies to customers who receive the choice. It does not mean that 57 percent of all Dutch cash users want €100 notes. Nor does it describe withdrawals across the whole cash machine network.

Still, the findings show interest among people taking part. Customers withdrawing larger amounts choose the denomination more often. That distinction matters when weighing demand for a note worth twice the previous maximum.

For example, someone withdrawing €200 could carry two €100 notes instead of four €50 notes. The total stays the same. However, the choice changes how easily they can split that cash into smaller purchases.

Higher prices form part of the background to the test. As prices rise, each banknote buys less. The trial therefore asks whether customers now want access to a larger denomination.

Koen Thuis, the central bank’s head of cash policy, said, in translation: “We want to see whether that demand exists in the Netherlands too.”

Taking cash out and spending it are different questions

A cash machine can offer a note without settling how useful it will prove at the checkout. Some retailers are reluctant to take large notes. So customers should distinguish access to cash from acceptance by a particular business.

A €100 note may suit someone who wants fewer notes for a larger withdrawal. However, it may be less useful for a small purchase. A shop also needs enough change if it agrees to take it.

Meanwhile, cash still accounts for around one in five payments. That gives the trial relevance beyond people who rarely use a bank card. The choice of notes affects residents who use cash for everyday spending.

The findings do not establish how many retailers accept €100 notes. They also do not show whether customers later spend them without difficulty. Therefore, the withdrawal figures alone cannot answer every question about their use.

What this means for people living in the Netherlands

If you use cash, check the choices on the machine before confirming your withdrawal. Do not assume every location offers €100 notes. The trial covers 46 locations, rather than the whole network.

For practical information about cash machines, start with Geldmaat’s official website. Check the available information before making a special trip. The reported findings do not include a full location list or details of any withdrawal charges.

Also, check your own bank’s cash withdrawal fees and limits. A larger note does not itself tell you what your bank charges. The trial results offer no basis for assuming a free withdrawal or a higher limit.

Before using a large note for a small purchase, ask the shop whether it will accept it. Check any payment notice near the entrance or till, too. If you need exact change, smaller notes may make the purchase easier.

For general guidance on payment rules, consult Rijksoverheid, the Dutch central government’s money information pages. In particular, do not treat an ATM’s offer as a promise about shop policy. These are separate issues.

A decision is due early next year

The expected decision in early 2027 will determine whether the notes stay in the machines. Until then, the trial findings show customer interest, not a confirmed permanent change. They also do not announce a nationwide rollout.

Meanwhile, residents can choose notes to match how they plan to spend their cash. Larger withdrawals may make €100 notes appealing. However, anyone relying on cash for small purchases should check acceptance before paying.