Cash Remains King in Eurozone Despite Digital Payment Push

The European Central Bank (ECB) has released its latest survey on cash usage among businesses in the eurozone, and the results show that cash remains the most widely accepted payment method. According to the survey, which covered a sample of 8,205 businesses across all 21 eurozone member countries, 92% of businesses with physical points of sale accept cash.

This is up from 90% in 2024 and confirms the enduring role of physical money in everyday European commerce. Other payment methods such as cards and mobile payments have also seen an increase in acceptance, but cash remains the most popular choice for consumers.

The survey found that while some businesses are promoting digital payments by investing in cashless payment terminals or reducing the number of cash-handling tills, 25% of businesses report having taken active steps to promote digital payments. However, when it comes to choosing payment methods, businesses still prioritize consumer preferences, security, and ease of management.

Cash retains unique advantages for merchants, including privacy protection and high reliability, which is not dependent on technical failures or network connectivity.