The digital euro is intended to complement cash and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in payments, the Bundesbank writes in its latest Monthly Report. Both online and offline payments would be possible with the digital euro. It would introduce the benefits of cash to the digital world without replacing cash.

The branches of the Bundesbank supply the economy with euro banknotes and coins, and offers private customers the opportunity to exchange D-Mark banknotes and coins free-of-charge and with no fixed deadline.

Der Wage Tracker der Europäischen Zentralbank (EZB), der laufende Tarifverträge erfasst, zeigt für das Jahr 2025 bei Glättung von Einmalzahlungen einen Anstieg der Tariflöhne um 3,2 % (bei einer Abdeckung von 50,7 % der Beschäftigten in den teilnehmenden Ländern) und für 2026 einen Anstieg um 2,3 % an (bei einer Abdeckung von 39,7 %). Der Abdeckungsgrad nimmt über den zukunftsgerichteten Zeithorizont hinweg allmählich ab, da 2026 noch weitere Tarifverträge abgeschlossen werden.

Germany’s economic substance and its pool of talent and entrepreneurial spirit are immense – these are qualities we can build on, Joachim Nagel stressed in an interview with the “Goslarsche Zeitung” newspaper to mark his speech at the 44th “Goslarsches Pancket”, a social gathering in the historic town of Goslar. Coming together and sharing views was more important than ever right now, given the significant uncertainty caused by the war in the Middle East, the Bundesbank President said. By pulling together, he argued, Europe could make the most of opportunities and thus emerge stronger from this difficult spell.