Italy sees digital payment growth amid cost of living pressures

Recent economic data from Italy highlights a significant shift in consumer behavior and financial management. According to an Ipsos-Doxa study, 40% of Italians struggle to make ends meet due to the rising cost of living, with half of the population reporting stress regarding the price of daily goods and energy. Despite these challenges, 88% of citizens are actively planning their monthly expenses, and 48% managed to save money over the last year, primarily to build reserves for unexpected costs.

Simultaneously, the Italian payment landscape is undergoing a digital transformation. Data from the Politecnico di Milano's Innovative Payments Observatory shows that digital payments reached 518 billion euros in 2025, a 7% increase from the previous year. Electronic instruments now account for 45% of consumption in Italy, surpassing cash, which stands at 38%. Contactless transactions via cards, smartphones, and wearables reached 323 billion euros, representing 93% of in-store transactions.