Belgium's four major banks – Belfius, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING, and KBC – will open more 'neutral' ATMs across the country. Many of the new cash points will be located in Brussels.
Cash machines have been disappearing at a rapid rate across Belgium, prompting recurring complaints about the difficulty of withdrawing money. However, Batopin, the ATM company set up by Belgium's biggest banks, has been installing "neutral" ATMs in a bid to slow the decline of such cash points due to bank branches closing.
The banks confirmed there will be an additional 70 cash points, totalling 1,040 locations where customers can withdraw cash regardless of their bank by the end of 2026. They confirmed this to the Belgian Competition Authority.
The banks’ commitments have satisfied the Belgian Competition Authority’s concerns, which has consequently halted its investigation.
New points in Brussels
Initially, Batopin aimed to install ATMs at 970 locations with a total of more than 2,500 cash machines in 503 Belgian municipalities by the end of 2025. Following an investigation by the Belgian Competition Authority, banks agreed to increase the number of ATMs to address concerns about accessibility and service quality.
By adding another 70 cash points, accessibility will be restored to 2019 levels, said Batopin CEO Jeroen Ghysel. Most new ATMs will be installed in Brussels – where lower-income neighbourhoods have long been most impacted by this shortage – and rural areas.
Currently, 620 cash points exist. About half of the cash points are in rural areas. This includes 50 in villages that have been without an ATM for five years.
Meanwhile, contracts were signed for another 200. Locations have been determined for 80% of these new locations, and Batopin is reportedly opening new cash points almost daily, despite regulatory challenges and a struggle to find suitable locations.
The banks also committed to ensuring that over 95% of customers can find an ATM within five kilometres of their home until at least 2030.
