Nearly all Dutch shops continue to accept cash, the Dutch central bank said on Tuesday, on the basis of its own research.

In mid-2019, 97% of shops were happy to take coins and notes, although some say they may stop this in the future because of the cost and for security reasons.

‘Although the use of cash at points of sale is declining, broad acceptance by retailers is also important’, the central bank said, referring to the problems caused when automatic payment systems break down.

Debit cards are the second most popular form of payment, with an acceptance rate of 87%.

In Amsterdam, however, 7% of shops are pin only, as are 11% of bars, cafes and restaurants. The city’s public transport system is also cash free.

Credit cards are also more popular in the capital, with 69% of shops in the survey saying they accept them. Nationwide, that figure is only 43%. The difference may be down to tourism, the central bank said.

The use of cards to make payments outstripped cash in the Netherlands in 2017.