Overview
- The Finance Ministry circulated policy 'Eckpunkte' and opened inter‑ministerial review on Friday for a rule that would force retail, hospitality and service businesses to offer at least one digital payment option in addition to cash.
- Under the draft points, merchants would choose which market‑available method to accept but must at minimum support a European payment system and may not charge extra fees for card use.
- Exemptions are proposed for non‑commercial groups such as amateur sports clubs and charities and the ministry will study hardship rules for small businesses that face operational or cost problems.
- Merchants warn about terminal purchases and transaction fees while Bundesbank data cited in coverage show 55 percent of transactions are already cashless, with debit/Girocard most common and mobile payments around 10 percent.
- The ministry aims to put a bill to the cabinet this year and to implement the requirement in 2027, a change that could make everyday buying easier for customers and raise the share of traceable transactions used for tax and fraud checks.