Cash Is Still King as Germans Shun Cards

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Many vendors and consumers at a Berlin farmers’ market and across Germany continue to prefer cash payments despite government plans to mandate digital payment acceptance starting next year. This widespread reliance on cash reflects deep-rooted distrust of institutions and cultural attachment, presenting significant obstacles to the country’s push toward cashless transactions.

At a farmers’ market in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district, many vendors and consumers continue to rely heavily on cash despite efforts to promote digital payments across Germany. Sabine Wolfram, a 65-year-old customer at a fish stand that only accepts cash even for purchases over €100, expressed a widely held view: “only cash is real.” This sentiment is common not just at the Karl-August-Platz market, but throughout the country, where cash remains the dominant payment method.

Germany’s government has recently stepped up its push toward digital transactions. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has announced plans requiring all shops and restaurants to accept card or mobile payments starting next year. His ministry is also preparing regulations to replace the country’s 115,000 manual cash registers with electronic systems aimed at improving record-keeping and reducing tax evasion.

However, public opinion appears resistant to this shift. A YouGov survey found that 73 percent of Germans use cash most frequently when making payments—by far the highest rate in the European Union. This figure surpasses Austria’s 71 percent and is significantly higher than countries like Sweden, where only 25 percent prefer cash, and Denmark, with 32 percent. Notably, Germany is the only EU member state where cash usage is reportedly increasing.

The preference for cash in Germany stands out given the country’s reputation for technological innovation and economic strength. Experts attribute this to deep-rooted distrust of government and financial institutions, influenced by historical experiences such as the Nazi era and the East German surveillance state. Cash transactions are seen as a safeguard against digital monitoring and potential manipulation.

Niklas Arvidsson, a payment systems specialist at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and author of a study on cashless societies, contrasted Germany’s attitude with that of Sweden. He noted that Sweden’s long period of peace and stable institutions has fostered greater public trust, making Swedes more comfortable with cashless payments. “Money and payment is a trust business,” Arvidsson said, emphasizing the importance of confidence in institutions for adopting digital alternatives.

For some vendors, the preference for cash extends beyond issues of privacy or trust to include practical concerns like transaction costs. Heidi Hilprecht, a 63-year-old pet food seller who inherited the business from her parents who started it in 1948, pointed to the 2 percent credit card fees as a factor. Additionally, she described a sentimental attachment to cash, recalling how she enjoyed counting money by hand as a child. “Holding money in your hand is something real,” she said, adding that other forms of payment do not offer the same tangible experience.

As Germany navigates its transition toward digital payments, cultural attitudes and historical factors are likely to continue shaping consumer behavior, posing challenges for government initiatives aimed at reducing cash dependency.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.