European countries show varied preferences for cash versus card payments, influenced by rural access and demographics.
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Preferences for cash versus card payments vary across European countries. In Romania, a preference for cash is linked to rural populations with poor banking infrastructure and low financial inclusion, as nearly half the population lacks bank accounts. While some countries like Lithuania show a strong preference for cashless payments, others exhibit different trends. Bulgaria maintains a significant cash economy despite efforts to promote digital payments. Czech Republic restaurants often do not accept cards because card users rarely leave tips. Hungary sees government figures advocating for cash, while new regulations mandate digital payment options in many businesses. Greece shows increasing card usage but low mobile wallet penetration. Italy ranks near the bottom of European cashless transactions per capita, though card circulation is growing. The analysis was conducted as part of the PULSE European project.
