Digital payment trends shift in Austria and Germany

Payment trends in Austria and Germany show a growing divide between online and in-person transactions. In Austria, e-commerce spending has reached 12.3 billion euros, marking a 3 percent increase from the previous year. While digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are gaining traction for small transactions under ten euros, cash remains the primary method for in-store purchases, accounting for 55 percent of stationary retail transactions in 2025.

In Germany, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is advancing a plan to phase out ‘cash only’ establishments. The proposed policy aims to ensure customers have a choice between cash and digital methods, such as cards or mobile devices, in the retail, gastronomy, and service sectors. Under this plan, businesses would be required to offer at least one common digital payment method, including a European standard, without imposing additional fees or turnover limits on customers.