Duplicating a car key in Amsterdam: transponder, smart key and standard
Duplicating a car key in Amsterdam means making a working spare of your existing key, including cutting the blade and programming any transponder chip or smart-key electronics to your vehicle.
Having only one car key is a risk most drivers do not think about until it is lost. A spare key, made before you need it, removes that worry. At Locksmith Amsterdam we duplicate transponder keys, smart keys and standard keys at a fixed price, and we come to you. This guide explains the three key types and how each is copied.
Standard keys
Older vehicles often use a simple metal key with no electronics. These are the quickest and cheapest to duplicate, because there is nothing to program. We read the original or the lock, then cut an exact copy.
A standard key copy is a sensible spare to keep at home. If your only key is a basic metal one, a duplicate costs little and saves a lot if the original goes missing.
Transponder keys
Most cars from the late 1990s onward use a transponder key. Inside the plastic head is a chip that the car must recognise before the engine will start. Cutting the blade alone is not enough, the chip has to be programmed to your vehicle.
We cut the new key and program the transponder on-site so the duplicate starts the car just like the original. This is the most common type of car key we copy in Amsterdam.
Smart keys
Smart keys, also called keyless or proximity keys, let you unlock and start the car without inserting anything. They contain more advanced electronics and require careful programming to pair with the vehicle.
We can duplicate most smart keys, programming the new unit to your car so all the keyless functions work. As with every key, we confirm the fixed price before we start and complete the work where your car is parked.
When to duplicate your car key
The best time to duplicate a car key is before anything goes wrong. Making a spare while you still have a working original is quicker and cheaper than producing a replacement from scratch after a loss.
Good moments to arrange a duplicate include buying a used car that came with only one key, before lending the car to family, or simply when you realise you have no backup. A spare key is a small cost that saves a large one, and it removes the risk of a single point of failure for getting your car started.
Frequently asked questions
Can you duplicate any type of car key?
We duplicate standard, transponder and most smart keys. We program the electronics on-site so the spare works fully.
Why is a spare car key worth having?
A spare made in advance is far cheaper and faster than a full replacement after a key is lost, and it prevents a lockout.
Do you program the chip when duplicating?
Yes. For transponder and smart keys we program the chip to your vehicle so the duplicate starts the car.
Do I need the original key to make a copy?
Having the original makes duplication faster, but we can also produce keys using your vehicle details and proof of ownership.
Can you come to my car?
Yes. We duplicate keys on-site wherever your car is parked in Amsterdam.
Want a spare car key in Amsterdam? Call Locksmith Amsterdam on +31 (0)20 210 1986. We duplicate transponder, smart and standard keys on-site at a fixed price.
