Germany's cash use falls as digital payments gain share, Bundesbank study finds

A Bundesbank study covering transactions from September 2025 to December 2025 shows that more than half of all payments in Germany were made without cash, with 55 % cashless and 45 % in cash. Debit cards, especially the Girocard, remained the most used cashless method (26 % of transactions), while mobile payments with smartphones or smartwatches rose to 10 %.

Cash remains the single most frequent payment method, but its share has dropped steadily—from 83 % in 2008 to 51 % in 2023 and now 45 %—as card and digital options increase. Older adults, people with low income or limited digital experience still rely heavily on cash; 12 % said they would face serious difficulties without it and another 29 % would be partially hindered. Concerns about cash availability are growing as ATMs close and bank branches shrink, especially in rural areas. Bundesbank board member Burkhard Balz emphasized the need for “complete payment choice” and noted that the EU and ECB are not planning to eliminate cash despite discussions of a digital euro.