No one uses paper checks in the Netherlands.
It's amazing that the US is still using paper checks in 2011! There is no reason for the waiting to do away with the paper check system. All money transactions should be from bank account to bank account.
It's been 'no paper checks' in The Netherlands since at least 2000, when I first lectured in the Netherlands. I live in The Netherlands now. One of the best things about banking here is that everything is electronic. Nearly everything can be paid for by some sort of electronic funds transfer. Some places & some machines ONLY accept special cards for payment. Sometimes you even get a small discount for using your card vs cash. And there are no checks. Many Dutch people don't even know what a checking account is. So if someone sends a check from, for example the USA, it's gonna cost at least $20 to $30 just to have it cashed here -- not counting the euro exchange rate and the time & effort it takes to go to your bank to have them cash the check against your account. Everything is paid for by either cash or EFT here - that's it. It's very easy. Very efficient. And I really like it very much.
