Contactless Payment is Becoming Increasingly Popular in Northern Europe

By: Trademagazin editor Date: 2025. 03. 24. 09:10

While cash payments remain the most common method of payment in Germany and Austria, contactless payment by card has been growing dominant in Northern Europe, according to a YouGov survey cited by Lebensmittelpraxis and commissioned by the consultancy firm Bearing Point.

In Finland, 89% of consumers prefer contactless payments, while in Denmark and Sweden, the figures stand at 76% and 75%, respectively. In contrast, 69% of respondents in Germany and an even higher 73% in Austria still frequently use cash.

The survey indicates a declining trend in cash usage across Scandinavia: in Finland, only 46% of respondents regularly use traditional payment methods, while in Denmark this figure is 35%, and in Sweden, it is just 28%.

Despite the continued popularity of cash in Germany, with the majority still relying on it, one-third of respondents believe that cash could disappear entirely within the next ten years. By comparison, 38% of respondents across Europe share this view.

The openness to digital payment solutions is growing in all surveyed countries. The most significant shift is expected in Ireland, where 40% of respondents plan to use bank cards more frequently in the future, while 39% would prefer mobile phone or smartwatch payment options.