Italia Cashless is a plan developed by the government to encourage the use of credit cards, debit cards and payment apps , „in order to modernize the country and encourage the development of a more digital, fast, simple and transparent system,” according to the Italian government.
Consumers in Italy can now receive an automatic 10% refund into their bank account for cashless in-store payments made using a credit, debit or prepaid card or payment app between now and the end of the year — as long as they make at least 10 digital transactions during the period.
„10% refund if you use cards and apps. Up to 300 Euros per year, i.e. up to 150 Euros per semester with at least 50 payments. Always use them in supermarkets and shops, bars and restaurants, but also with the plumber, mechanic, lawyer, architect and other craftsmen and professionals.
Not valid for online purchases. The maximum reimbursement per single transaction is 15 Euros”, according to cashlessitalia.it.
The Italia Cashless initiative will then continue into 2021, with the addition of a Super Cashback competition for those making the highest number of cashless in-store purchases in a six-month period, as well as weekly, monthly and annual virtual Receipt Lotteries for both purchasers and merchants.
„Every 6 months the first 100,000 citizens to make more transactions will have 1,500 euros. So with Super Cashback you can earn up to € 3,000 per year,” according to the web platform of the initiative.
“Italia Cashless is the plan developed by the government that rewards those who do not use cash in purchases: in fact, those who use credit cards, debit cards and apps will have part of the expenditure made reimbursed,” the Italian government explains.
The 10% refund will also be offered for card and app payments from 1 January 2021 onwards when “reimbursements of up to €300 (US$364) per year are possible,” Cashless Italia says.
“Every six months, if you make a minimum of 50 payments, you will receive 10% of the amount spent, up to a maximum of €150 (US$181) in total reimbursement. The maximum refund for each single transaction is €15 (US$18).”
On 1 January Cashless Italia will also be launching Super Cashback, which enables “those who are among the first 100,000 citizens who have totalled the highest number of card and payment app transactions in a [six-month] semester” to receive a €1,500 (US$1,820) reward.
Cashless in-store purchases made with a payment card or app from 1 January onwards will also “automatically generate virtual tickets for the Receipt Lottery, which can win prizes for those who buy and for the merchants who issued them”.
Italian citizens with a SPID (public digital identity system) or electronic ID card are eligible to participate and can register their payment card and bank details via the Italian government’s IO app.
Although payments made via apps including Satispay, Yap and Hype are eligible for Christmas Extra Cashback, transactions via Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay and Garmin Pay will not be eligible until January 2021.
Purchases made online, purchases necessary for carrying out business, professional or craft activities, operations performed at ATMs (such as phone top-ups), direct debits and transactions relating to recurring payments are not eligible for the scheme.
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