ECB data shows 92% of euro area firms accept cash, rebounding post-pandemic as mobile payment adoption rises to 68%.
Cash remains the dominant payment method in the euro area, with 92% of businesses accepting it in 2026, up from 90% in 2024. The rebound follows a decline during and after the pandemic, reflecting consumer demand for privacy and reliability.
Card payment acceptance held steady at 88%, while mobile payments surged from 36% to 68% over the same period. Despite the rise in digital options, a quarter of firms have taken steps to promote cashless transactions, including investments in self-checkout terminals.
The ECB survey highlights a mixed trend: while cash acceptance recovers, businesses are increasingly adopting digital payment infrastructure to meet evolving consumer preferences.