iDEAL

The Netherlands, one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world, has a payment market characterised by a high degree of digitalisation. According to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the country's e-commerce penetration rate has reached 84%, the highest globally, meaning that more than four in every five Dutch consumers shop online. The Netherlands is also among the least cash-reliant societies in the world, reflecting the country's deep-rooted shift towards digital payment habits.

In this highly mature e-commerce environment, the use of digital wallets in the Netherlands is experiencing significant growth. E-wallet adoption is increasing at an annual rate of 22%, with market share expected to double in the future. This trend is underpinned by the country's strong digital infrastructure. In 2023, its e-commerce market was valued at nearly EUR 35 billion, and the vast majority of citizens enjoy high-speed internet access, providing a solid foundation for the adoption of digital payment methods.

At the centre of the Dutch digital payments ecosystem is iDEAL, an online transfer-based payment method. Since its launch in 2005, iDEAL has achieved rapid nationwide adoption and currently accounts for approximately 70% of the online transaction market in the Netherlands. Notably, the bank account penetration rate in the Netherlands is as high as 99.9%, providing ideal conditions for the widespread adoption of iDEAL.

As a pillar of the Dutch digital payment system, iDEAL enables consumers to complete payments, pay bills, top up mobile credit, make donations, and pay taxes directly through their bank accounts, providing a secure and convenient payment experience. In 2023, iDEAL underwent a comprehensive product upgrade, introducing QR code payments and redirection to banking apps to streamline the checkout process. The platform also launched personalised payment preference settings, further enhancing the overall user experience.

As mobile payments become increasingly mainstream, iDEAL continues to upgrade its services to align with consumer habits. Leveraging a seamless payment flow and high brand recognition, iDEAL effectively reduces user drop-off during checkout, making it an indispensable payment method for merchants expanding into the Dutch market. With the continued growth of the Netherlands' digital wallet sector, iDEAL is expected to remain a central pillar of the country's payment ecosystem, further accelerating the transition towards a cashless society.

Properties

The following table lists the product properties supported by iDEAL:

User experience

Note: The following payment flows on different terminals are for reference only. For supported merchants' terminal types, consult Antom Technical Support.

The following screenshots show the journey of paying with iDEAL:

1. The buyer selects iDEAL to pay.

2. The buyer enters the iDEAL page and selects a bank.

3. The buyer logs into the bank app.

4. The buyer confirms the order information.

5. The buyer enters the PIN to complete verification.

6. The buyer views the payment result in the bank app.

7. The buyer is automatically redirected to the APM page and then back to the merchant's result page.

FAQ

1. Is iDEAL a mainstream payment method in the Netherlands? Why is it so popular?

iDEAL is one of the most widely used payment methods in the Netherlands and remains the dominant choice for online transactions. In 2025, iDEAL's share of the Dutch online payments market remained stable at around 70%, having previously peaked at 73%. Its popularity among Dutch consumers can largely be attributed to the following advantages:

• Personalised and secure: Users have control over the information they choose to share. While delivering a tailored payment experience, iDEAL also maintains high standards of data security.

• Faster checkout: There is no need to repeatedly enter personal information. iDEAL profiles can store users' payment preferences, significantly speeding up the checkout process.

• Flexible payment options: Users can choose from a variety of payment methods according to their preferences, including immediate payment, deferred payment, and instalment options.

By leveraging these core advantages, iDEAL aligns closely with the payment habits of Dutch users, making it the preferred choice for many consumers and an essential payment method for merchants targeting the Dutch market.

2. How does iDEAL ensure transaction security for consumers?

Using business bank accounts helps reduce transaction risks for consumers. In some cases, consumers using personal bank accounts for online purchases may not be fully covered by protections under the EU Consumer Rights Directive. As a secure prepayment solution, iDEAL provides users with a safer and more trustworthy payment environment through merchant business account verification.

Security is a core principle of iDEAL. Transactions conducted through iDEAL are protected by the user's bank and benefit from the same advanced security standards applied to banking services, helping to ensure that every transaction is secure and reliable.

3. Does iDEAL support payments for cross-border e-commerce transactions?

Currently, iDEAL primarily serves Dutch consumers and e-commerce platforms that support iDEAL payments. Whether a cross-border e-commerce platform can offer iDEAL as a payment option depends on whether it has completed the necessary technical integration and payment functionality adaptation with iDEAL.