Greece Tops Eurozone in Cash Acceptance, But Some Businesses May Ditch It

Greece is the most cash-accepting country in Europe, according to a recent European Central Bank survey. Ninety-nine percent of businesses in Greece accept cash from customers, a figure that has increased since the previous survey in 2024.

The eurozone average for cash acceptance is 92%, with Cyprus and Belgium having the lowest numbers at 76% and 81% respectively. Even in the catering industry, which includes restaurants, bars, and cafes, 93% of businesses still take cash.

However, 23% of Greek businesses have declared that they may stop dealing in cash over the next five years, the second highest percentage in the eurozone after Cyprus. This is because many businesses don't want to face bank fees for deposits and withdrawals, according to ECB analysts.