Germans in favor of digital payments: three quarters want to be able to pay without cash everywhere – study

Among the younger generation, 9 out of 10 are demanding a right to digital payments.

Signs such as “Cash only” or “No card payment here” should soon be a thing of the past, if the will of a large majority of German citizens have their way. Around three quarters (74 percent) support the demand that in future every point of sale should also be able to pay digitally, i.e. cashless. 

That is the result of a representative survey by the digital association Bitkom, for which more than 1,000 people aged 18 and over in Germany were asked. 

“We need real freedom of choice when paying. It’s not about getting rid of cash, but about leaving customers free to decide how they want to pay at any location, ”says Bitkom Managing Director Dr. Bernhard Rohleder. „Nobody should be forced to carry cash with them all the time.”

Younger people in particular are demanding that all shops, restaurants or other sales outlets have to offer at least one digital payment option. 9 out of 10 (87 percent) of the 18 to 29 year olds support this. For the 30 to 49 year olds it is 75 percent, for the 50 to 64 year olds 76 percent. And even among senior citizens aged 65 and over, a clear majority of 64 percent is in favor. 

A majority of the supporters of all parties currently represented in the Bundestag also support such a demand on the future federal government. Among those of the AfD, 82 percent demand a right to digital payment, with Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen and FDP it is 77 percent each, with the SPD and CDU / CSU each 74 percent. 

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Methodological note: The information is based on a survey that Bitkom Research carried out on behalf of the Bitkom digital association. In August 2021, 1,007 people aged 18 and over in Germany were interviewed by telephone. The survey is representative.