The Netherlands Ministry of Finance has sent a legislative proposal to the Dutch House of Representatives to guarantee that cash remains available, accessible and affordable, by placing statutory duties on banks and making compliance subject to oversight by De Nederlandsche Bank. Under the bill, large banks would be required to maintain the current nationwide cash machine infrastructure, including ensuring a working ATM within a 5 km radius. It would also prohibit large banks from charging retail customers for cash withdrawals, while applying maximum fees for other current account holders such as businesses. In addition, customers of large and medium-sized banks would be able to deposit banknotes at ATMs, free of charge for individuals; the deposit requirement would apply to medium-sized banks with more than 500,000 customers, with small banks excluded, and banks could use the Geldmaat ATM network. The bill now moves into the parliamentary process. Separately, the House of Representatives has adopted a proposal for a national obligation to accept cash payments up to EUR 3,000, which is still awaiting a vote in the Dutch Senate, with work under way to define necessary exceptions, including for safety reasons.

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