ID and Cash Limits for Buying Silver in the Netherlands
Since 1 January 2026, Dutch traders may not accept or pay €3,000 or more in cash for goods, including silver, whether they're selling to you or buying from you. Because of the ban, the old ID checks for cash payments of €10,000 or more have lapsed for goods traders, but buyers of second-hand precious metals still record every purchase in the police-linked Digital Buyers Register.
Facts checked 31 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice
At a glance
| Situation | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buying | No legal ID threshold for goods traders since 2026. | AML checks for goods traders lapsed when the cash ban started. |
| Paying cash | Cash must stay under €3,000. | In force since 1 January 2026; private sales between individuals are exempt. |
| Selling | The buyer registers the purchase (item, seller, price) in the DOR. | Cash payouts also under €3,000. |
| Reported | Goods traders' FIU reporting duty ended in 2026. | Pawnshops and intermediaries in precious metals stay under the AML act. |
The rules in detail
- The Wet plan van aanpak witwassen, passed by the Senate on 10 June 2025, bans professional traders in goods from making or accepting cash payments of €3,000 or more. It took effect on 1 January 2026, applies to buying as well as selling, and covers pawnshops; it doesn't cover sales between private individuals.
- Before 2026, traders had to identify customers paying €10,000 or more in cash and report cash deals in precious metals and jewellery to FIU-Nederland. With the ban, the AML obligations for buyers and sellers of goods lapsed from 1 January 2026.
- Intermediaries in precious metals, jewellery and similar goods still have due diligence and reporting duties for non-cash transactions of €10,000 or more.
- From 10 July 2027 the EU AML Regulation makes precious-metals traders obliged entities again (its list of precious metals includes silver), regardless of payment method, with full checks from €10,000. The Dutch €3,000 ban stays, because lower national limits are allowed.
When you sell
- Shops buying second-hand (precious) metals and watches must register with their municipality as an opkoper and log each purchase (the item, the seller and the price) in the Digitaal Opkopers Register.
- A trader can't pay you €3,000 or more in cash; larger amounts go by bank transfer.
Gold and travel
- The cash ban covers all goods, so gold is treated the same.
- Carrying €10,000 or more in cash into or out of the EU must be declared. Gold coins (at least 90% gold) and bars (at least 99.5%) count as cash; silver doesn't, so it isn't part of this declaration, though normal customs rules for goods still apply.
Silver ID and Cash Limits in The Netherlands: FAQ
How much cash can I pay for silver in the Netherlands?
Less than €3,000. Since 1 January 2026, traders may not accept or pay €3,000 or more in cash for goods, including silver.
Does the Dutch €3,000 cash ban apply to silver coins and bars?
Yes. The ban covers all goods bought from or sold to a professional trader and has applied since 1 January 2026. Sales between private individuals are exempt.
Do I need ID to sell silver in the Netherlands?
Buyers of second-hand precious metals must log every purchase, including the seller's details, in the Digital Buyers Register, so expect to be asked for ID.
Sources (6)
- Rijksoverheid: verbod contante betalingen van €3.000
- Bijzonder Strafrecht: cash ban of €3,000 in force
- Accountant.nl: Senate approves anti-money-laundering law (June 2025)
- FIU-Nederland: reporting group dealers in goods
- Gemeente Den Haag: registration duty for traders and buyers (DOR)
- EU AML Regulation 2024/1624, Annex V (precious metals include silver)
General information for individuals buying or selling silver, checked October 2026. Rules change and dealers may ask for more than the legal minimum; check with the dealer or the regulator. Not legal advice.