Gijs Boudewijn, Director a.i.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the end of 2021, public transport organisations and issuing banks agreed to cooperate in the coming years to enable traveling with contactless payment cards in public transport. This was ratified by signing a formal agreement (see photo). The cooperation allows for a nationwide implementation.<\/p>\n The project kicked off in March 2021. Operator Arriva hosted the premiere in Lelystad. The experiences of both travellers and public transport operators have been positive. Travellers appreciate the convenience. They already carry their debit or credit card with them and no longer need to show a separate travel card.<\/p>\n In October, traveling with a payment card was introduced in the larger region of the Gooi and Vecht rivers. The experiences in that region will be used to make some improvements to both the technology and the public information.<\/p>\n In 2022, all public transport operators in the Netherlands will start accepting contactless debit and credit cards to check into buses, trams and trains. For the time being, only single journeys at full fare are possible. The agreement includes commitments on the use of payment cards with discounts and subscriptions in the near future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On 8 April 2022, the Minister of Finance Sigrid Kaag presented a Cash Covenant to the Dutch Parliament. Twenty-three organisations closely involved in the Dutch payment system signed this convenant. The aim of the agreement is to ensure that cash continues to function properly as a means of payment at cash registers, even if electronic payments keep increasing.<\/p>\n The Covenant was signed by the major banks, Betaalvereniging Nederland, consumer organizations, representatives for retailers, the hospitality industry and fuel stations, cash service providers and the Dutch central bank. It is valid for five years. Read the full article…<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Refugees from Ukraine can easily open a payment account at banks and\u00a0 other payment service providers in the Netherlands.\u00a0 With a payment account they can receive allowances and wages. Every account comes with an IBAN, a debit card and internet and mobile banking.<\/p>\n Cash Ukrainian grivnas virtually cannot be exchanged within the eurozone. Ukrainians with a debit or credit card from Mastercard or Visa, can use them in shops and at ATMs across the EU, for the time being. Vice versa, debit and credit cards from the EU can be used in Ukraine, as long as the ATM or PoS terminal still works.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As of 12 March, most Russian banks are no longer accessible via SWIFT for all other worldwide SWIFT-participants. Of course, all Dutch banks comply with all official sanctions. As a result, any payment to a sanctioned counterpart in Russia or Belarus is virtually impossible via a Dutch bank. The advice to Dutch business and private bank customers is: for the time being, do not conduct any payment transactions with an institution, company or person in Russia or Belarus without consulting your bank. Start by consulting the website of your bank.<\/p>\n Mastercard and Visa have completely ceased their services in Russia. Russians with credit or debit cards from these brands can no longer use them outside Russia. Cardholders from other countries with cards of these two brands can no longer use them in Russia. This also applies to Maestro and V PAY cards.<\/p>\n\n
<\/a>Agreement on nationwide travel with contactless payment cards in public transport<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/archief.betaalvereniging.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/OV-Kernteam-met-logos-800x500-1-610x381.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>New Cash Covenant keeps cash available and accessible for the foreseeable future<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/archief.betaalvereniging.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/BNL033-website-foto-20-contant.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/a>Ukraine: which payment services are available to refugees in the Netherlands?<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/archief.betaalvereniging.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/Creditcard-Oekraine-shutterstock_2045124155-610x407.jpg\")
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<\/a>Effects of sanctions for card users from Russia and Belarus<\/h2>\n
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