Acceptance actually grew against 2024. The fastest riser is paying by phone: from 36 to 68 per cent in two years.
In short
- The ECB published a survey of 8,205 firms across 21 countries, run between February and April 2026.
- Cash is accepted by 92% of merchants with a physical location, against 90% in 2024. Cards hold at 88%.
- Mobile payment jumps from 36% to 68%.
If you think cash is on its way out, here is the number: 92 per cent. And it is up, not down.
The facts: on 13 August 2026 the ECB published a survey of 8,205 firms across all 21 euro area countries, conducted between February and April 2026, covering retail, restaurants, cafes, hotels and the arts, entertainment and recreation sector. Cash is accepted by 92% of firms with a physical location, against 90% in 2024. Cards hold at 88%. Mobile payment rises from 36% to 68%. Measures to encourage cashless payment were introduced by 25% of firms, and 13% installed self-checkout terminals. Firms cite customer preference, security and ease of handling as the leading factors in choosing payment methods.
Look at what is actually happening. Cash is not falling; the phone is eating everyone else's ground. It doubles in two years while the card stands still.
The merchant does not choose the modern option. He chooses the one the customer already walked in with.
For anyone opening a shop here after the euro: your till has to take all three without complaining. That is not a technology choice, it is opening hours.
The visual is generated code art. No third-party images.