Overview
- Germany has banned surcharges on card payments since January 13, 2018 under §270a BGB, yet a posted 50‑cent card fee at a döner shop circulated online and highlighted ongoing violations.
- Consumer groups say cash acceptance is declining across retail, gastronomy and public services, and they seek a legal quota requiring cash-capable self-checkouts, ticket machines and staffed tills with only narrow exceptions.
- Card use continues to rise, accounting for about 63.5% of retail turnover in 2024, with roughly 1.21 million card terminals in operation according to industry data.
- Self-checkout installations have surged to roughly 39,000 across German retail, and chains such as Lidl and Kaufland are expanding these lanes while keeping staffed checkouts, with some machines allowing cash.
- A Bundesbank test found cash was accepted immediately in 98.7% of 2,000 purchases, and the governing coalition plans to require retailers to offer digital payment options alongside cash.