The Netherlands: 23% pays with smartphone or wearable

Mobile payments are becoming increasingly popular amongst Dutch consumers. Almost 25% of the Dutch pays wireless with a mobile phone or wearable such as a smartphone. This is the result of the ING Digital Monitor, a study conducted amongst more than 1500 Dutch.

The introduction of Apple Pay in 2019 in the Netherlands makes it possible for a lot more people to pay with their mobile phone or wearable. The most given reason to do this is that the Dutch no longer have to bring their debit card or wallet instore. 25% says a mobile payment is their new favourite way to buy a product.

Jeroen Losekoot, Manager Digital Banking at ING says: "Mobile payment has been possible since 2015 for Android smartphones. The introduction of Apple Pay in the Netherlands shows the rise in popularity for this payment method. People that do not use it yet, do not see its added value as payment with a debit card is easy and quick. People who try the mobile payment option, embrace this payment method very quick. We expect the popularity of mobile payments to increase in 2020.

Smartphone or wearable payments

In December 2019, up to 19% of the Dutch consumers made a payment with their mobile phone at a checkout counter. Paying with a wearable becomes increasingly more popular too. 12% of Dutch consumers have made a payment with a smartwatch, watch, ring, bracelet or key chain. Nearly half (44%) of shoppers that pay by phone does this at least on a weekly basis. The general frequency is even higher. 28% does this on a daily basis.

The most important reason to pay mobile is to not bring a wallet anymore as people already carry their wearable or phone. People who often do not pay by phone, are afraid their phone gets stolen or do not see the added value (yet). Despite these numbers, only 9% sees mobile payment as a complete replacement for their wallet.

The debit card is favourite

Payment by debit card is for 55% of the Dutch the most used payment method. The second place is taken by cash (30%). Even consumers that pay with their smartphones say the debit card is their most-used payment method. Almost 25% says the mobile payment is their preferred payment method. A third expect that the number of times they pay with their phone will increase in 2020.