In 2024, the Benelux e-commerce market is thriving. Consumers in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are embracing a wide range of payment methods, from established card networks to innovative real-time bank transfers. The region’s infrastructure supports seamless payments across borders, providing businesses and consumers with flexible, fast, and secure options.

 

Payment by card in Benelux

Card payments remain popular across the Benelux region, with international networks dominating, but local systems are equally strong.

  • Belgium: Bancontact is the primary local card scheme, used by nearly 60% of Belgian consumers for online purchases. It’s closely followed by Visa and Mastercard for international transactions.
  • Netherlands: Credit cards like Visa and Mastercard are used for e-commerce but play a smaller role compared to iDEAL, which handles 70% of all online payments​.
  • Luxembourg: As a financial hub, Visa and Mastercard lead, while Bancontact is gaining popularity for cross-border e-commerce​.

Merchants in all three countries implement 3D Secure to reduce fraud and improve security for online transactions. While local schemes like Bancontact have robust adoption, international cards maintain a strong presence for cross-border shopping.

Local actor: Bancontact

Bancontact logo

 

Payment by bank transfer in Benelux

Bank transfers play a critical role in Benelux e-commerce, especially in the Netherlands, where iDEAL leads as the primary payment method.

With instant payments becoming more popular, solutions like Tikkie in the Netherlands enable users to send and receive payments via iDEAL and WhatsApp. This integration makes bank transfers even more convenient for everyday use

Local actors: iDeal, SEPA, Tikki€

IDeal logo SEPA logo Tikkie logo

 

Payment by installment and BNPL in Benelux

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions are gaining momentum in the Benelux, particularly in the Netherlands and Belgium. Consumers are increasingly choosing the flexibility of installment payments for both large and small purchases.

  • Netherlands & Belgium: BNPL solutions like Riverty, Klarna, and AfterPay are experiencing rapid growth. Local providers such as Billink also offer BNPL services, providing an alternative for Dutch consumers. Notyd (formerly Biller) and Sprinque focus on B2B transactions, offering installment options for corporate buyers.
  • Luxembourg: While less common, BNPL options are starting to penetrate the market, especially in cross-border e-commerce scenarios.

The BNPL market grew by 24% in 2024, driven by younger consumers and those seeking financial flexibility.

Local actors:

for B2C,Riverty (previously Afterpay), Billink

Riverty logo

for BtOB, Biller (BtoB), Sprinque (BtoB)

Biller logo  Sprinque logo

 

Payment by digital wallet and X-Pay in Benelux

Digital wallets and X-Pay systems are becoming a preferred method for mobile payments in the Benelux, especially among younger generations.

  • Netherlands: Tikkie, although not a traditional wallet, is widely used for casual payments and peer-to-peer transfers, processing over €10 billion in 2023. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also increasingly used for e-commerce.
  • Belgium & Luxembourg: Payconiq is a strong player, especially in Luxembourg, where it facilitates real-time payments across various use cases. PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay also lead the wallet space, providing secure and fast payment options for both domestic and international transactions.

Mobile payments continue to rise, particularly as consumers demand faster, more seamless payment options. Wero, the new brand formed after EPI acquired iDEAL and Payconiq, is expected to further consolidate wallet offerings in the region (EPI).

Local actors: 

Payconiq logo

 

 

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