From January 1, 2002, the European currency has entered a new era, because 12 EU countries (Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain will start using euro banknotes and coins simultaneously.

Euro banknotes are available in seven denominations: 5 yuan, 10 yuan, 20 yuan, 50 yuan, 100 yuan, 200 yuan and 500 yuan; coins are available in 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents and 20 cents. Distribute 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros. The front and back versions of the seven banknotes are the same in all countries, while the coins have slightly different designs. One side of the coin has a unified euro version, and the other side has different versions from country to country, but the denominations are still equivalent. The Dutch version is designed with a portrait of the current Queen Beatrix.

Coin Exchange

GWK is a national organization with cash exchange offices at major railway stations, airports and other places. Visitors can also exchange cash or buy traveler's checks here, as well as exchange money at banks or post offices.

Warning: Other exchange offices often charge high fees, so be sure to ask before exchanging money. If you have a financial card with the Cirrus logo on it, you can also withdraw money from cash machines.

Although merchants generally accept major credit cards, they are not accepted everywhere. Generally, hotels, restaurants or tourist attractions accept credit cards, but some vendors or street vendors do not accept credit cards. For transactions of small amounts (under 25 euros), it is almost impossible to pay by credit card. If you have any questions, please ask before using your credit card. Some credit cards such as MasterCard and VISA have cash withdrawal services. In addition, all GWK foreign currency exchange offices, as well as express exchange offices, also accept the above credit cards.

Banks and post offices

Business hours

Shop opening hours are usually 9:00-17:00/18:00, Monday and Sunday mornings Rest mostly. In addition, LATE NIGHT SHOPPING DAY on Thursday or Friday is open until 21:00. Bank business hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm/5:00 pm. The post office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

International Tax Refund Instructions

Added value tax must be calculated additionally when shopping in the Netherlands. Travelers who live outside of European countries must purchase more than 137 euros with the same person, on the same day, and in the same store, and the goods must leave the European country within 3 months from the date of purchase to become added value. object of tax refund. In the duty-free shopping area in the departure hall of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the prices of all types of goods sold are already deducted from the shopping value-added tax, and tourists do not need to go through tax refund procedures.