Overview
- Bundesbank analysis shows smartphone and smartwatch payments climbed to nearly 16% in the second half of 2024, while cash accounted for 51% of everyday transactions in 2023.
- Girocard remains the dominant debit option and the least costly for merchants at about 0.8% of turnover, compared with roughly 2.3% for cash handling and 2.4% for credit cards.
- Field tests by the Bundesbank found cash accepted on the first try in 98.7% of 2,000 retail and hospitality purchases, though eight of 30 administrative offices refused cash.
- Cashback withdrawals at supermarket tills rose from about €2.23 billion in 2019 to more than €12.3 billion in 2023, bringing fees for merchants and raising risks of local shortfalls if cash takings drop below critical levels.
- EU proposals for 2026 would allow retailer withdrawals of €100–€150 without a purchase, yet the vzbv calls the plans insufficient and reports mounting complaints about barriers to paying with cash.