The difference is pretty crazy. In the Netherlands, where I live, you can't use a credit card in most supermarkets, due to the extra transaction costs. The one

The difference is pretty crazy. In the Netherlands, where I live, you can't use a credit card in most supermarkets, due to the extra transaction costs. The one chain that does accept credit cards charges an extra 50 cent if you pay with credit card. Debit cards are the standard way of paying for stuff, and are accepted everywhere. For online shopping credit cards are used a bit more often, but payment through online banking is a lot more common. I guess in practice the system is a bit like credit cards, because it is relatively easy to have a negative balance on your checking account. There are no overdraft fees, you just pay interest on the negative balance. Credit is determined by a lack of a 'BKR registration', which keeps track of both existing loans and payments that you missed for previous loans. If you have no 'BKR registration', you can get approved for a mortgage, a loan or a credit card, provided you meet the income criteria.