While it's true that the majority of payments in Belgium are made with cards, it's always a good idea to have some euro cash. You will find some smaller vendors that only accept cash.

By 2026, Belgium has become an almost entirely "cash-light" society, though it is not yet fully cashless. Recent 2025–2026 data shows that roughly 84% of Belgians prefer electronic payments, with the domestic Bancontact system and mobile apps like Payconiq being the primary methods. Since July 2022, Belgian law has actually required all merchants to offer at least one form of electronic payment, making it nearly impossible to find a store that only takes cash. However, a supportive peer "must-know": cash is still legally protected as a form of payment and remains useful for very small transactions (under €5) at rural weekly markets, traditional "friteries" (fry stands), or small laundromats. While you don't need to carry a heavy wallet in 2026 Brussels or Antwerp, keeping a €20 note tucked away is a smart backup for the rare technical outage or the occasional "cash-only" public restroom.