Payment Behaviour in Germany in 2023 (Deutsche Bundesbank)

Summary

• More than half of transactions (51%) are still paid in cash, representing just over one-quarter of total expenditure (26%).p.5
• Credit transfers and direct debits account for 20% of expenditure and credit cards for 10%, and the share of mobile payments tripled from 2% to 6%.p.5
• Acceptance of cashless means of payment has risen by 20 percentage points since 2021, with cards or other cashless means accepted in 81% of cases at physical points of sale.p.5
• 44% of respondents generally prefer to pay using electronic means of payment, while 24% favour cash.p.5
• Cash is accepted in 94% of all transactions at physical payment locations, but this is trending downwards.p.6
• 27% of smartphone owners have used their mobile device to pay at the point of sale, and 40% of mobile payers typically use Apple Pay.p.6
• 45% of respondents would use new payment methods if they offered higher security standards, and 28% if they offered greater privacy.p.7

Key insights

1. This is the Bundesbank's seventh study of payment behaviour in Germany, with surveys conducted since 2008.p.3
2. Telephone interviews were conducted from 4 September to 30 November 2023, with 5,698 respondents.p.11
3. Approximately half of respondents have a credit card, with ownership slightly down on previous levels.p.6
4. A Bundesbank study constructs possible scenarios for cash up to 2037 and concludes that a future involving cash should not be taken for granted.p.9
5. Significantly more respondents report difficulty getting to an ATM or bank counter than in 2021.p.6
6. The Eurosystem is working on a digital euro that would be free of charge for consumers.p.3