If you’re saving money in the Netherlands, chances are your bank is giving you less than 2% interest. But there’s a way to earn a 6% interest instead, guaranteed and completely risk-free.
The surprising part? You’ll find it in your grocery cart. It’s called koopzegels, digital savings stamps from Albert Heijn and other supermarkets. Here’s how they work. Learn how to cash them out. The koopzegels might be the smartest savings account in the Netherlands.
What Are Koopzegels?
Koopzegels are savings stamps you collect by paying a small extra amount on top of your grocery bill in the Netherlands. You can collect them at certain Dutch supermarkets like Albert Heijn, Jumbo, or PLUS.
It’s an old-school system, but still going strong in the digital age. Most stores now track your stamps in their app, so there’s no more sticking paper stamps into a booklet.
Here’s how it works at Albert Heijn
- For every €1 spent, you can buy 1 koopzegel for €0.10
- If you have Albert Heijn Premium, you can buy 2 koopzegels for €0.20 per €1 spent
- Stamps are stored digitally in the Albert Heijn app
- Once your digital stamp booklet reaches 490 koopzegels (€49), you get €52 back
That’s a €3 profit for every full booklet – simple and automatic.
What’s the Return on Investment ?
Let’s break down the math:
- You invest: €49
- You get back: €52
- That’s a €3 profit, or a 6.12% return
In comparison:
- A Dutch high-interest savings account in 2025 offers 1.5-2% annually
- Koopzegels offer more than 3 times the return, and it’s practically risk-free
It takes time to fill a booklet. The amount of savings is small. Nevertheless, the return is fixed and guaranteed by the store.
How Do You Cash Them Out?
Once you fill a stamp booklet, you can cash out in three ways:
- At the Service Desk. Ask them to transfer the amount directly to your bank account
- At Checkout (in-store). Use your stamps to settle your grocery bill or at self-checkout. Then your buy must be above €52 to use a full booklet
- With Online Orders. Redeem 1 booklet per online grocery order
Note: You can redeem a maximum of 10 booklets per day in-store.
Real-Life Example: Our Family’s Experience
We’re a couple with no kids, and we do most of our grocery shopping at Albert Heijn. Here’s what it looks like in practice:
- We spend about €400 – €500 per month on groceries (including koopzegels)
- We have Albert Heijn Premium, so we collect 2 koopzegels per €1
- We started collecting koopzegels in February 2023
- As of July 2025, we’ve filled 50 full booklets. That’s €2686 saved, including €153 in interest
Partial Booklets: What If You Don’t Fill One?
You don’t have to wait for a full booklet to get your money back:
- Up to 254 stamps: You get €0.10 per stamp back (no bonus)
- 255 to 489 stamps: You get €0.10 per stamp + €0.50
- 490 stamps (full booklet): You get the full €52, which includes the €3 bonus
Are Koopzegels Really Worth It?
Yes, if you shop regularly at Albert Heijn (or another store offering koopzegels), it’s absolutely worth it. Here’s why:
Pros:
- Risk-free 6% return
- No effort required, it’s part of your shopping
- Digitally tracked in the AH app
- Feels rewarding, like building a small emergency fund or vacation savings
Cons:
- It takes time to fill a booklet
- You need to remember to opt-in when checking out
- Payout rules are limited (e.g., max 10 booklets/day, 1 for online)
Stay savvy.
