Your bank card versus digital payments
Your bank card. Always in your wallet. Sometimes forgotten. Often stolen. We've been lugging plastic around for decades, even though our Apple Watch or phone is always within reach. Yet, many Dutch people still cling to that trusty card—out of habit, ignorance, or simply fear of the unknown.
But here's the paradox: the very digital payment method you might be wary of protects your money better than that piece of plastic ever could. Apple Pay never shares your real card details with stores, uses a unique code for every transaction, and requires your face or fingerprint. Yet, anyone can use your stolen card for contactless payments up to the limit. Even on your iPad , you can shop online more securely than by typing in those sixteen digits.
Useful links
- iPhone screen protectors - protect your phone that you now use as a wallet
- Apple accessories - from cases to chargers for your payment devices
- Apple Watch collection - pay from your wrist without a phone
The technical magic behind contactless payments
Apple Pay uses near-field communication (NFC), the same technology used in your debit card. The difference? Your iPhone or Apple Watch creates a unique, temporary code for each transaction. This tokenization means merchants never see your actual card number. They only receive an encrypted, one-time valid string of numbers.
When you add a debit card to your Wallet app, Apple doesn't store your card number on your device or servers. Instead, you receive a device account number—an alternate number generated specifically for your phone. This number is securely stored in the secure element, a special chip that also protects your fingerprints and facial data.
Security that goes beyond a PIN code
While someone can spend up to €50 contactless with your stolen debit card without entering a PIN, every Apple Pay transaction requires authentication. This is done via:
- Face ID on newer iPhones - your face is your password
- Touch ID on older models - your fingerprint unlocks the payment
- Double-press the side button on your Apple Watch with wrist detection
Lose your phone? You can immediately disable Apple Pay remotely via iCloud.com. With a stolen debit card, the timing of your discovery and call is dependent on the thief. By then, the thief could have already charged dozens of small amounts.
Privacy as standard
Apple doesn't store any transaction data that can be linked to you. Your purchase history stays between you and your bank. Stores only receive a transaction code, not your name, card number, or security code. This is in contrast to traditional debit card payments, where your full card number is sent across the payment network.
Daily use in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, almost all stores with a contactless payment terminal automatically accept Apple Pay. From Albert Heijn to your local bakery – if you see the wave icon, you can pay with your iPhone. NS ticket machines, parking meters in major cities, and even many market stalls also work seamlessly.
Online shopping is becoming easier. No more typing credit card information on unknown websites. At online stores that support Apple Pay, you authenticate the payment with your face or finger. The store only receives a one-time code, not your actual card details.
Dutch banks and availability
Almost all major Dutch banks now support Apple Pay:
- ING - for private individuals and businesses since 2019
- ABN AMRO - all debit and credit cards
- Rabobank - including business accounts
- Bunq, Revolut, N26 - from the very beginning
- American Express and all Mastercard/Visa credit cards
Only a few smaller banks like Triodos and ASN are still missing. They prioritize their own apps over integration with Apple's system.
Practical situations where Apple Pay excels
Exercising with just your Apple Watch? No problem. Grab a bottle of water after your run without lugging your wallet around. Your watch is enough. The watch remembers your last PIN as long as it's attached to your wrist thanks to the heart rate sensor.
Save on currency exchange fees abroad. Apple Pay always charges in the local currency at your bank's current exchange rate. No extra fees, unlike with physical debit cards, where you often have to choose between euros and local currency – the latter being more expensive due to poor exchange rates at the payment terminal.
Family and household accounts
With Family Sharing, you can add Apple Pay cards for children aged 13 and up. You set limits and see where they spend. It's more convenient than carrying cash and more secure than a personal debit card. If you lose the card, you can block it right from your phone.
For joint accounts, you can add the same bank account to multiple iPhones. Both partners can then pay independently without sharing a card. Each phone gets its own device account number, so transactions remain traceable to each person.
When traditional payment still wins
To be fair, Apple Pay isn't a panacea everywhere. Small cash payments are sometimes faster in the market. Some municipal services only accept debit cards or bank transfers. And of course: no battery, no payments – although your iPhone can still last for hours with energy-saving mode for emergency payments.
Acceptance varies in countries outside Europe. Japan and the US lead the way, but in parts of Southern Europe, you still see few contactless terminals. Check the acceptance in your destination before you travel.
Tips for optimal use
Set a default card for quick payments. In the Wallet app, drag the desired card to the top. It will be used automatically unless you select a different one.
Activate Express Transit for public transport where possible. In cities like London, you can check in and out without authentication—your iPhone doesn't even need to be unlocked. The Netherlands doesn't yet support this for the OV-chipkaart (public transport chip card).
Use different cards for different purposes. Personal expenses on your personal account, business expenses on your business card. The Wallet app remembers your last choice for each store, so after one setup, everything is automatically set up correctly.
Receipts and administration
You'll automatically receive digital receipts at some stores. These will appear in your Wallet app alongside the card used. For your records, you can export them as PDFs. You'll continue to receive paper receipts as usual – they're legally required in the Netherlands.
Your banking app will show all transactions as usual. The only difference: the payment method will show "Apple Pay" instead of "Contactless." This won't affect your accounting.
The future of payments
Apple is steadily expanding its options. Since iOS 16, you can pay later via Apple Pay Later (not yet available in the Netherlands). You can also add loyalty cards and customer cards to Wallet. Discounts are automatically applied at some stores.
Car keys from BMW and other brands already live in your Wallet. You unlock and start the car with your iPhone. Opening hotel rooms with your phone is becoming standard at major chains. You probably already had your plane tickets and concert tickets digitally – now everything is clearly organized.
The next step? Your driver's license and ID card digitally. This is already possible in some US states. Europe is working on legislation for digital identity. In a few years, you'll simply display your ID on your iPhone screen.
The future is digital payments
That debit card in your wallet is actually an outdated concept . Apple Pay offers more security through tokenization and biometric authentication, while you simply pay with devices you already have with you. From the supermarket to online shopping, it works anywhere contactless payments are available.
The privacy benefits and the convenience of instantly blocking your card in case of loss make the switch a logical step. A physical card remains useful as a backup, of course, but for everyday use, digital payments via your iPhone or Apple Watch are simply more practical and secure .
