Debt help requests rise as one-third of Dutch youth use buy now, pay later services

The Dutch Association for Debt Assistance (NVVK) reported an increase in debt arrangements last year. The number of help requests rose from over 79,500 in 2023 to 82,120 in 2024. Likewise, the number of debt repayment plans increased from more than 15,200 to 17,179. NVVK Chair Renate Richters said the rise is partly due to improved early detection efforts and shortening debt repayment periods to 18 months, which lowers barriers to seeking help.

Richters explained that early detection acts like sowing seeds: “A card left after contact with a resident with payment arrears can lead months or years later to a request for help.” The NVVK also noted more use of guidance programs such as budget coaching and budget management last year. “Creditors consider this important; they are willing to forgive debts fully or partially if defaulters become good payers thanks to guidance,” Richters said.

Separately, a survey by Ipsos I&O among 677 youths aged 16 to 21 found that over 30 percent have used ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) options for online purchases. Most young people prefer to pay only after delivery or want the option to return products without paying first. However, six out of ten do not support BNPL in physical stores.

The survey was conducted for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and Wijzer in Geldzaken as part of the ‘How do you prevent a Buy Later Hangover?’ campaign. On May 14, State Secretary Jurgen Nobel visited a practical education school in The Hague to distribute ‘sour aftertaste ice cream’ along with tips to prevent payment arrears. Nobel said, “Buy now, pay later is becoming more tempting. With a few clicks, you get the best products even if you don’t have money. It seems handy, but don’t spend money you don’t actually have.”

Government and parliament are reportedly concerned about the increasing use of BNPL apps, with hundreds of thousands of minors using them, leading to late payments and extra costs. The survey showed one in seven youths has paid late, and one in ten received reminders or additional charges. A quarter knows someone with financial problems due to BNPL.

New EU rules effective in 2026 will require BNPL providers to conduct creditworthiness checks, including through the Dutch BKR system, and enforce stricter information and advertising rules. A mandatory age verification will also be introduced.

Most youths (61 percent) oppose BNPL in physical stores, fearing it will worsen debt problems. Seventy-seven percent say they will never use it. The government has urged BNPL providers not to enable this payment option in stores.

Among youths who do use BNPL online, 25 percent do so regularly, and 5 percent always pay afterward. The main reasons are uncertainty about keeping a product, wanting to return it without paying first, and paying at a more convenient time. Those who avoid BNPL want to maintain control over spending (74 percent), fear debt (41 percent), or do not want to be tempted to buy unnecessary items (30 percent). One respondent said, “If I can’t pay now, how do I know I can pay later?”