Ban on buy now, pay later for minors under consideration
The Lower House debates legislation today that would bring buy now, pay later credit providers under supervision.
The Lower House debates the Dutch implementing law for new European credit rules on Monday. The proposal bans providers from offering buy now, pay later services to minors, but has not yet been approved by both Houses.
The bill is numbered 36 924 and would transpose the revised European Consumer Credit Directive into Dutch law. The Lower House has scheduled a legislative consultation for Monday 28 September. Further consideration and a vote in the Lower House will follow, followed by consideration in the Upper House.
Under the proposal, services such as buy now, pay later would come under the broader consumer credit framework. Providers would require a licence and come under the supervision of the Authority for the Financial Markets. They would also have to assess beforehand whether a consumer can responsibly afford the credit.
A key element is the ban on deferred payment for consumers under the age of eighteen. Providers would have to verify customers’ ages. The rules would apply not only to specialised payment services, but also to other forms of credit in which payment is deferred.
The government points to indications that existing age checks do not always prevent minors from using the services. The parliamentary explanatory memorandum states that in 2023 almost 600,000 iDEAL transactions through accounts held in minors’ names could be linked to BNPL providers. That figure does not show how many unique young people received credit or how many debts resulted from it.
Last week, De Nederlandsche Bank described how young people can easily defer small purchases online. The bank stressed that the age limit in the Netherlands is already eighteen, but that checks in practice do not appear to be entirely watertight. If payments are missed, collection charges and other costs may follow.
The proposal also contains rules on information, advertising, registration with Bureau Krediet Registratie and help with payment problems. The debate remains open for young adults aged eighteen to 24. A motion to investigate additional restrictions for that group failed to secure a majority in June.
For online shops and payment services, the law would mean new monitoring and administrative obligations. For consumers, the main change concerns access to credit. The precise implementation date depends on the parliamentary process; the government is aiming to apply the European rules from 20 November 2026.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The bill has not yet been definitively adopted.
- The proposal bans BNPL credit for minors and requires age verification.
- Additional restrictions for 18- to 24-year-olds failed to secure a majority.
Left
Arguments Young people are exposed to commercial incentives that normalise debt. A ban for minors and stronger protection for young adults are needed because individual responsibility is not enough.
Values Debt prevention, protecting vulnerable groups and reducing power imbalances.
Consequences Stricter rules could prevent problem debt, but would increase the implementation burden for shops and payment services.
Centre
Arguments A uniform European framework with age checks, creditworthiness assessments and supervision provides more certainty than separate national bans. Its operation should be monitored after implementation.
Values Proportionality, practicality and a level playing field.
Consequences Consumers receive greater protection, while companies need time and systems to comply with the rules.
Right
Arguments Adult consumers should in principle be able to choose how they pay. The government should protect minors, but avoid imposing new restrictions on every form of payment.
Values Personal responsibility, freedom of choice and limited government intervention.
Consequences A targeted age limit is defensible, but broader bans could restrict convenience and competition.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article distinguishes between the bill and current law. Figures and procedural information were checked against parliamentary papers, Rijksoverheid and DNB.
- confirmed The Lower House will hold a legislative consultation on bill 36 924 on 28 September 2026. — The parliamentary timetable lists this consultation. source
- confirmed The bill bans deferred payment for minors and requires age verification. — This is stated in the explanatory memorandum and the letter to Parliament. source
- confirmed BNPL providers will be required to obtain a licence and come under AFM supervision. — Rijksoverheid and the bill describe these obligations. source
- confirmed In 2023, almost 600,000 iDEAL transactions through accounts held in minors’ names could be linked to BNPL providers. — This figure appears in the parliamentary explanatory memorandum; it concerns transactions, not unique young people. source
- confirmed The motion on additional restrictions for 18- to 24-year-olds was rejected by 63 votes to 75. — The official voting result gives these figures. source
Editor's note
The substance of the bill and the scheduled legislative consultation are certain. It is uncertain when the law will be definitively adopted and brought into force; therefore, the article does not say that the ban is already in effect.Sources
- Implementatiewet herziene richtlijn consumentenkrediet — Tweede Kamer
- Bescherming consument bij achteraf betalen — Rijksoverheid
- Gemak of vergif? Wat zijn de gevolgen van meer betaalgemak voor jongeren? — De Nederlandsche Bank
- Antwoord op vragen over financiële risico's van achteraf betalen — Tweede Kamer
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „achteraf betalen”
- RTL Nieuws — „achteraf betalen”
- NOS — „achteraf betalen”