Digital payments in Italy exceed 518 billion euros

Digital payments in Italy reached over 518 billion euros in 2025, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. According to the Innovative Payments Observatory at Politecnico di Milano, there is a significant shift toward smartphone-based transactions, wallets, and contactless payments, with prepaid cards remaining a preferred tool for daily use. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing transparency regarding transaction times, minimum amounts, and terms over price alone.

Regarding the future digital euro, an analysis by the Bank of Italy outlines criteria for setting commission caps. The study suggests that payment service providers should not be able to significantly influence the benchmark used to determine these caps to prevent strategic price adjustments. Additionally, the Bank emphasizes that compliance must be easily verifiable by stakeholders with minimal costs to reduce litigation and enforcement burdens.