10 Places where free money is up for grabs

The best kept secret in the Netherlands: Saving at the bank barely yields anything, but Albert Heijn's digital sales stamps give you a whopping 6% return. That is a percentage that investors are jealous of. You place a deposit unnoticed when paying for your groceries via the app. It is literally “free money” for doing your daily shopping.

In the Netherlands, unfortunately, loyalty is often punished. Have you been a customer of the same provider or energy supplier for years? Then you are most likely paying too much. The so-called “Welcome gifts”, ranging from free iPads to hundreds of euros in cashback, are only available to new customers. Make it a sport to switch via comparison sites every year. You can also call your current supplier. It will take you an hour of work and will quickly earn you “€300 to €500” annually.

Since the Dutch online casino market opened, providers have been fighting for your attention. This is a sector where you sometimes receive starting credit purely for creating an account. They call this a “No Deposit Bonus”. It is a way to take a chance without any investment of your own. Please note: the offer changes weekly. Use a specialized comparator such as casino bonus deals to see where you as a Dutch player can claim these opportunities,

We don't like waste. You can save food from the trash via the Too Good To Go app. In the Netherlands, almost all major chains and local bakers participate. For a few euros you can buy a “Magic Box” with a retail value three times as high. It's the perfect way for a cheap lunch or to stock your freezer with quality bread at a fraction of the price.

Forget vague discount code sites that never work. In the Netherlands there is only one king: Pepper.com. Here users post the best deals they find online or in store. From an incorrectly priced washing machine at Coolblue to “1+1 free” at Kruidvat. Before you make a major purchase, you should always check here to see if there is a promotion going on. The community votes on the deals, so you can immediately see whether something is really “hot” or whether you should wait a little longer.

You simply click through to the webshop via their link and the commission is shared with you. It may not seem like much per purchase, but over the course of a whole year, many Dutch people save “tens to hundreds of euros” in this way.

The Netherlands is truly a Marketplace country. What is “old junk” to you is exactly what someone else is looking for. Think of old Donald Duck pockets or that unused Senseo. Take good photos and be honest in the description. In no other country is the second-hand trade as vibrant as here. It not only gives you space in the attic, but also a nice extra on your bank account.

Since the introduction of a deposit on cans, there has literally been money on the street. At “€0.15 per can” it adds up faster than you think. Make sure you hand them in, but also take a critical look at the trash bin at the office or at the sports club. A garbage bag full of cans and bottles is easily worth “€5 to €10” at the vending machine. It's a small effort for an immediate reward.

Do you have Netflix, Videoland or Disney+? Many services offer a “Family” subscription. On your own you pay the top price, but shared the costs are low. Set up a monthly “automatic Tikkie” to your friends or family members with whom you share the account. This way you save hundreds of euros per year on double subscriptions without having to miss your favorite series.

Many Dutch people are entitled to Healthcare Allowance or Rent Allowance without knowing it. Sometimes your income has dropped slightly or your situation has changed. Log in to “My Allowances” with your DigiD and make a test calculation for 2026. It is money that you are entitled to. Don't leave it to the tax authorities, because they will also knock on your door if they still receive money from you!