Just 15% of the Dutch would be prepared to live without cash money, according to research for television programme EenVandaag.

In total, 78% of the nearly 20,000 people polled say they want to keep the option to make cash payments. Privacy and the fear of giving banks too much power are the main reasons for not preferring a cash-free existence, the research shows.

There are already several retail chains in the Netherlands which only accept payment by direct debit cards, including the Marqt grocery stores and Vlaamse Broodhuis bakery group.

In Denmark, politicians will soon vote on plans which will allow retailers to reject cash altogether.