ECB: Cash remains the leading payment method across the euro area

The latest European Central Bank (ECB) survey highlights the continued importance of cash alongside the rapid growth of digital payment methods.

🔹 92% of companies with physical points of sale accept cash, up from 90% in 2024.

🔹 88% accept card payments, remaining broadly stable compared with 2024.

🔹 Acceptance of mobile payments increased significantly, from 36% to 68%.

🔹 25% of companies have taken steps to promote digital payments.

🔹 13% have introduced self-checkout terminals.

The survey, covering 8,205 companies across all 21 euro area countries, shows that cash remains highly resilient while digital and mobile payment acceptance continues to expand.

The findings underline the increasingly diverse payment landscape across the euro area, with businesses adapting to changing payment preferences and technologies.Post Content