Finance Minister Jan Jambon plans to present legislation that would allow the installation of automatic cash dispensers in shops.
“This must be possible under conditions as safe as in the banking network,” Jambon said on Thursday, during a plenary session of the Chamber, in response to a question from Vooruit legislator Jeroen Soete.
Earlier this week, the country’s four major banks committed to opening more cash machines.
By the end of 2026, the number of neutral cash machines in the Batopin network will increase from 970 to 1,040, with a total of 2,510 machines across the country.
By 2030, the goal is for 95% of the population to have a cash machine within a 5-kilometre radius of their home. Currently, the rate is 84%.
One of the challenges is the issuance of permits by municipalities, according to the minister, who urged local authorities to be flexible in this regard.
