Greece Tops Euro Area With 99% Cash Acceptance as Mobile Payments Jump to 68%
Updated
Updated · Greek Reporter · Aug 20
Greece Tops Euro Area With 99% Cash Acceptance as Mobile Payments Jump to 68%
2 articles · Updated · Greek Reporter · Aug 20
Summary
ECB survey data showed 99% of Greek businesses accepted cash in 2026, the highest rate in the 21-country euro area and level with Italy; Greek retailers alone hit 100%, matched only by Slovenia.
Across the bloc, cash acceptance rose to 92% from 90% in 2024, suggesting the post-pandemic decline has paused even as card acceptance edged up to 88% and mobile payments nearly doubled from 36% to 68%.
In Greece, 23% of businesses still said they were unsure they would keep accepting cash over the next five years, pointing to longer-term doubts despite the country’s top ranking.
Businesses that dropped cash most often cited weak customer demand at 36% and banking inconvenience at 35%, while Cyprus had the lowest acceptance rate at 76%, followed by Belgium at 81%.