Overview
- The EU has implemented cash transaction limits, requiring data disclosure for payments over €3,000 and banning cash transactions above €10,000 to curb money laundering.
- Germany's coalition government is finalizing legislation mandating businesses to accept both cash and at least one digital payment method to ensure payment choice and tackle tax evasion.
- Retailers face growing operational costs, including €17.23 million in card-processing fees in 2023, as ATM closures shift cash-handling responsibilities onto them.
- Industry groups are divided, with Dehoga seeking exemptions for small businesses, HDE criticizing the mandate as limiting true choice, and bakers advocating for caps on cash-handling fees.
- Consumer preferences show generational divides, with younger Germans favoring digital payments while older generations remain attached to cash options.