German bakeries spark debate over accepting one‑cent card payments

A sign displayed at a Munich bakery stating “Kartenzahlung schon ab 1 Cent möglich!” triggered a wide discussion on Reddit and among consumers about the acceptability of card payments for very small amounts. The post highlighted concerns that paying a cent or a few cents by card can be “unverschämt teuer” (absurdly expensive) for both shoppers and merchants.

German retailers are free to set minimum limits for electronic payments, and many FinTech providers now offer flat‑fee models that make processing tiny transactions more viable. However, merchants still face terminal fees of roughly 0.2 % to 1.5 % of the transaction value, which can render one‑cent card payments unprofitable.

A recent study by the Deutsche Bundesbank confirms a shift in payment behavior: 55 % of surveyed shoppers now prefer debit cards or digital alternatives, while cash remains the most frequently used method. Bundesbank board member Burkhard Balz said, “Der Trend hin zu bargeldlosen Zahlungen setzt sich fort. Bargeld ist dennoch weiterhin das am häufigsten genutzte Zahlungsmittel.”