Bundesbank Warns of Increasing Challenges in Cash Access Across Germany

Despite a still-functional cash infrastructure, reduced ATMs and bank branches are making cash access harder for many citizens.

The number of bank branches in Germany has dropped from 53,000 in 2002 to 21,000 in 2023, while ATMs have decreased from 59,000 in 2018 to 51,000 in 2023.
A Bundesbank survey found that the percentage of people who find cash access difficult rose from 6% in 2021 to 15% in 2023.
Approximately 3.6 million people in Germany must leave their municipality to access cash, though most residents live within 1.4 kilometers of an ATM or bank counter.
Cashback services at retail stores provide an alternative for some, but the Bundesbank emphasizes these cannot replace traditional banking infrastructure for cash circulation and quality control.
The Bundesbank highlights the importance of maintaining a robust cash infrastructure to ensure citizens can continue to choose between cash and digital payments.