Payment Methods in Germany 2026 – Figures & Trends

Payment behaviour in Germany is changing—at the point of sale and online. Cash continues to lose ground, Girocard remains the market leader, but international debit cards and smartphones are catching up fast. In e-commerce, PayPal and purchase on account lead the way, while retailers face increasing pressure to offer a broad mix of payment options.

In this article, based on the latest figures from the EHI Retail Institute (EHI Retail Institute: Studie „Zahlungssysteme im Einzelhandel 2026“ / EHI Handelsmagazin „stores+shops Payment Special 2026“ / EHI-Erhebung „Online-Payment 2026"), we show which Payment Methods are currently most widely used in German retail, which trends are emerging, and what these mean for merchants.

The Most Popular Payment Methods in Brick-and-Mortar Retail

In 2025, over 65 percent of revenue in German brick-and-mortar retail was paid by card. At the same time, cash’s share fell below the one-third threshold for the first time.

Revenue and Transaction Shares in Brick-and-Mortar Retail 2025

Girocard remains the most widely-used card-based payment method. However, it has lost market share for the second year in a row—primarily to international debit cards (Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard), which have now reached 9.4% and overtaken traditional credit cards for the first time.

A key reason is that direct banks are increasingly issuing Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard cards instead of Girocards as standard.

For retailers, this makes acceptance of international debit cards more important than ever, although it also brings higher costs: Girocard averages 0.177% of turnover in fees, while Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard typically cost two to three times as much.

Mobile Payments: The Strongest Growth Driver

The most dynamic trend in physical retail is mobile payment via smartphone or smartwatch. Nearly 20 percent of all card-based transactions in 2025 were processed mobile—via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a bank’s own app. The previous year, the figure was just 13%.

This growth is enabled by the widespread rollout of NFC-enabled payment terminals, making contactless payments standard.

Consumers mainly value the speed of mobile payments (under 10 seconds), which do not require a physical card. Younger consumers, in particular, now expect this option as standard.

Payment Methods in E-Commerce

Online, the rules are different. In the German e-commerce market, digital wallets, “Buy now, pay later” (BNPL), and account-based payments dominate.

Most Popular Payment Methods in German E-Commerce

PayPal leads with almost 29% share of e-commerce revenue and is offered by 95% of the top 1,000 online shops. Purchase on account remains high at 26%, showing a strong consumer preference for paying after delivery and being able to return goods easily. Instalment purchase is particularly relevant for higher-value items such as furniture and electronics. Retailers who do not offer BNPL risk losing sales.

Notably, Apple Pay’s share is just 1.3% in turnover but is already available in almost half of major online shops. Growth potential is significant—especially as mobile shopping continues to rise.

Overall Picture: Combining In-Store and Online

Looking at both physical and online retail combined, the payment method ranking is as follows:

Payment Method Revenue Shares – In-Store and Online 2025

This highlights: Omnichannel retailers need a different payment mix than pure physical or pure e-commerce retailers.

Looking Ahead to 2030: What’s Next?

EHI forecasts that the card-based share of in-store payments will surpass 70% by 2030, while cash will drop to 26%. International debit cards are expected to be the main growth driver.

Two European initiatives could reshape the landscape:

• The real-time payment system Wero was launched in 2024 as a P2P solution, opened for e-commerce in 2025, and is soon to be available for in-store payments. Four out of ten companies surveyed in the EHI study consider Wero promising.
• The digital euro is nearing political approval; the first issuance is planned for 2029. The background is geopolitical: Around two-thirds of all card payments in the eurozone are processed via Visa and Mastercard. The ECB aims to create a European alternative, usable online and offline. Merchants are expected to be required to accept it. The fees are still under discussion—retailers are calling for a cap of 0.1%.

What Does This Mean for Your Payment Mix? 8 Practical Tips

• Ensure Girocard acceptance: Still the most used and cost-effective method in-store. Make sure contactless and mobile (NFC) payments work smoothly.
• Factor in new debits: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard are growing fast. Review your acquirer contract for clear debit/credit differentiation—many SMEs pay a flat rate and miss out on interchange savings.
• Make mobile payment seamless: One in five card payments is already mobile. Ensure Apple Pay, Google Pay and Girocard-based wallets work at your terminals.
• Leverage BNPL for conversion: Invoice and instalment purchasing lower the barrier for purchase, especially with high-ticket items. Are you offering BNPL yet?
• Optimise your e-commerce payment mix: PayPal, invoice, direct debit, credit/debit card—these are must-haves. Don’t forget Apple Pay & similar for mobile shoppers.
• Think omnichannel—also in payment: The mix differs significantly between online and offline; plan your payment infrastructure across channels.
• Simplify/centralise your payment infrastructure: Using one platform for all sales channels saves technical effort and costs, offers a consistent customer experience, and makes expansion easier. Think: unified commerce.
• Keep an eye on Wero and the digital euro: Conduct a payment audit in 2026 and budget for the first pilot runs in 2027—this will give you an edge when these systems launch.

Conclusion

Germany is no longer a cash country. Girocard still dominates in-store but is ceding ground to international debit cards. In e-commerce, PayPal and purchase on account lead. The smartphone is becoming the key payment platform. With Wero and the digital euro, a European reshaping of the payments market is on the horizon.

For merchants, the payment mix is no longer a static infrastructure choice but a strategic lever with direct influence on revenue, costs and customer satisfaction. Those who offer the right payment methods, ensure fair terms and plan for new developments early will be well positioned for the German payment market in the coming years.

Unzer supports you in designing this mix across channels—efficiently via a centralised platform.