Withdrawing cash from your account is easiest at an Automated Teller Machine. You will need your bankcard and the pin code that was issued with the card. There are ATMs all over Amsterdam. You do not have to use an ATM at your own bank; you can also use ATMs at other banks. N.B. The daily withdrawal limit is lower at other banks.

If you do not want to carry a lot of cash, then ‘pinnen’ is a great alternative. This is the term used for paying with your bank card. The process of 'pinnen' is very similar to withdrawing cash from an ATM. The cash is deducted from your account immediately.

Most bankcards also have a visible gold-coloured chip. You can charge a specified sum to this chip. These cards are charged using special machines in the vicinity of the ATMs. The chip-card is a quick method of paying for goods or parking fees. You do not need to enter your 'pin code' to confirm.

You can 'Pinnen' and 'chippen' almost everywhere in the Netherlands.

An automatische incasso or direct debit is an easy way to make regular payments. When you sign a contract, the company may ask you if you want to pay by direct debit. If you agree, then the company automatically debits money from your account every time you have to pay (for example once a month). You can cancel the direct debit at your bank if the company debits more than the agreed sum within a certain period. For more information call the expatdesk.

Another way to pay your bills or to send money to other people is called 'overschrijven'/transferring. This is similar to an acceptgiro/giro collection form, however you must collect slips from your bank.

Internet banking is very popular nowadays. Almost all Dutch banks provide internet banking services. If you use internet banking, you can check your account on the internet. You can also use it to transfer funds from your account to another account if you need to. At this moment Rabobank has internet banking only available in Dutch. To help you understanding internet banking in Dutch we have instructions in English available on our English pages at www.rabobank.nl