Ban on cash payments over €3,000

What changes?

Do you often pay large amounts in banknotes? The government intends to ban cash payments for amounts of over €3,000. This ban applies to traders (professional or commercial buyers and vendors of goods). They are not allowed to avoid this amount by making several smaller payments in banknotes. This way it should be harder to launder illegal ('dirty') money.

For whom?

• traders
• anyone who wants to buy something for more than €3,000 and pay for it in cash

When?

It is expected this change in the Act to combat money laundering and terrorist financing (Wet ter voorkoming witwassen en financieren van terrorisme, Wwft) will come into force on 1 January 2026.

Please note: The effective date of this measure is not yet final. Entry into force is subject to its passing through the upper and lower houses of parliament or proclamation of the Order in Council (Algemene Maatregel van Bestuur, AMvB) or ministerial decree and publication in the Staatsblad or the Staatscourant (in Dutch).