iDEAL
TL;DR
iDEAL is the dominant Dutch online payment method letting consumers authorise e-commerce payments directly via internet banking.
iDEAL, established in 2005 by Dutch banks, processes >80% of online payments in the Netherlands in 2026. Users pick their bank, get redirected, authenticate in their banking app, and return to the merchant. Between 2022-2026 the payment flow was modernised ('iDEAL 2.0') with a fixed account ID, more speed and better recurring options.
Example
A Dutch shop offers iDEAL as primary method. The consumer picks ING, gets a QR code confirmed via the ING app, and is done within 10 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Does iDEAL work internationally?
Limited. Only with a linked Dutch bank account. For cross-border: EPI (European Payment Initiative) is the successor in development.
Related terms
Further reading
- → Our service: Fintech sector