Overview
- Survey data released in Madrid shows 82% of Spaniards fear personal data leaks when paying digitally, with widespread concern about balance, location and purchase tracking.
- Three in four respondents say cash is important in daily life, and 35% report keeping more banknotes at home since April’s outage, rising to 47% among 18–29 year-olds.
- Despite stronger backing for cash as a fallback, habitual use continues to decline, falling to 30% as the most-used method from 46% in 2022.
- Respondents cite shrinking access and acceptance as barriers to using cash, including branch and ATM closures, fees, public bodies refusing cash, and legal limits on cash payments.
- Context across the region shows digital adoption accelerating: PCMI estimates about 60% of Latin American consumer spending is digital, Argentina logged a 45% jump in e-payments in 2024, and 74% of travelers deem digital wallets indispensable.