Cash Acceptance Pauses as Euro-Area Businesses Prioritize Security

The European Central Bank has released data indicating that the decline in cash acceptance among Euro-area companies has paused. According to the survey, 92% of companies reported accepting cash in 2026, up from 90% in 2024. Companies prioritize cash over digital payments due to concerns about privacy and reliability. Additionally, a significant majority of respondents believe cash is more secure than digital payments.

The data also shows that physical card payments are becoming increasingly accepted, with 88% of companies reporting they accept them. Mobile payment acceptance has seen a notable increase as well, rising from 36% in 2024 to 68% in 2026.