For the first time, more than half of payments were cashless payments; cash remains the most frequently used means of payment at the point of sale

In 2025, for the first time, people in Germany used cashless means of payment to pay for their day-to-day purchases more frequently than cash. The Bundesbank’s latest study on payment behaviour in Germany for 2025 shows that 55 % of all recorded purchases were made using cashless means of payment. 

The trend towards cashless payments is continuing. Nevertheless, cash remained the most frequently used means of payment, explained Bundesbank Executive Board member Burkhard Balz. According to the study, cash was used for 45 % of all payments. This is 6 percentage points lower than in 2023. At 26 %, debit cards were the second most frequently used means of payment. By far the most widely used debit card was the girocard.

The third most frequently used means of payment was mobile payment methods, such as payments made using smartphones. Mobile payment methods were used for 10 % of all payments, which is 4 percentage points more than in 2023. At 6 %, e-payment methods doubled their share compared with 2023. 

Measured by the sum of the payment amounts, debit cards accounted for the largest share, as was the case in 2023. However, this share fell 4 percentage points to 28 %. Cash and credit transfers each accounted for 23 % of turnover and thus shared second place. The variety of means of payment has steadily increased in recent years. In addition to traditional methods such as credit transfers, direct debits and card payments, digital wallets, app-based and online payment methods are now well established, Mr Balz explained. 

At the same time, the study highlights that not all population groups are equal participants in the digitalisation of payments. Older people, those with health constraints, low incomes or lower levels of digital literacy used cash more frequently. Personal preferences aside, 80 % of respondents consider it important to retain the option of paying with cash. Against this backdrop, preserving cash as a cost-effective, efficient and inclusive means of payment is a key concern of the Bundesbank, Mr Balz said.

Freedom of choice does not exist everywhere

The study shows that cash is accepted almost everywhere. In 94 % of cases, respondents were able to pay for purchases at physical locations using cash. However, cash is accepted less frequently in local public transport and at self-service checkouts in retail stores. The supply of cash was described as good by most respondents. 

Even though the acceptance of cashless means of payment is increasing, major gaps still exist in this area. Cashless payments were possible for 86 % of the purchases recorded at physical locations – that is 5 percentage points more than in 2023. Around one-quarter of respondents reported that they were unable to make cashless payments at least once when they wanted to in the past month. 

The vast majority are satisfied with the payment options available in Germany. Nevertheless, many respondents believe that the acceptance of cash and cashless means of payment could be improved, Mr Balz remarked. He added that complete freedom of choice is not yet a reality. Politicians are addressing the topic: at the European level, regulation proposals are being negotiated to ensure broad acceptance of cash and, in future, of the digital euro as well. 

Wero and the digital euro as European alternatives

Non-European providers are widely used for payments by smartphone and for e-payment methods. According to the study, Apple Pay is the most frequently used mobile payment method at the point of sale. The most common credit and debit cards in respondents’ digital wallets are from Visa and Mastercard. PayPal dominates the market for e-payment methods, accounting for a market share of around 86 %. 

European payment methods such as Wero and, looking ahead, the digital euro, too, could recover market share from non-European providers in future. This is because a large majority of respondents believe it is necessary for Europe to become more independent in the area of payments. In addition, the study shows that most respondents certify that their banks and savings banks, in particular, as well as central banks handle payment data responsibly. 

In this context, Bundesbank Executive Board member Mr Balz points to the Eurosystem’s strategy for cashless payments: Our strategy aims not only to develop the digital euro but also to support European payment methods such as Wero and to more strongly encourage the spread of instant credit transfers. However, the general public will have the final say – they should be able to choose how they wish to pay in future, too, Mr Balz added.