Cash remains essential for millions of citizens. Yet since 2017, the number of cash machines in Belgium has halved. In many municipalities, and even more so in rural areas, withdrawing money has become a real obstacle course.
Faced with this reality, David Clarinval and the federal government are taking action. The goal is to guarantee at least one cash machine in every municipality by 2027.
To bring this ambition to life, an action plan has been put in place. It strengthens access to cash across Belgium in a lasting way and secures the long-term presence of cash machines, by introducing a stricter framework for banks to prevent any gradual disappearance of the network.
This plan also aims to improve the accessibility of cash machines, particularly for people with reduced mobility. In a spirit of proximity, it also gives shopkeepers the possibility of installing adapted cash machines directly in their shops, to bring this service closer to citizens' everyday lives.
The system also relies on a complementary network, notably via bpost, to ensure a consistent presence across the entire territory and avoid any area without a withdrawal solution.
For the MR, this is a matter of territorial fairness and freedom of choice.