Payment trends – Our report from the EHI Payment Kongress 2025

International debit cards still on a growth course

Looking at the different card types, international debit cards were also the biggest winner in the payment mix in 2024. While payments with international debit cards accounted for 4.1 % of turnover in Germany in 2023, they reached 6.9 % in 2024 – i.e. a growth of 2.8 percentage points within a year. This may also have something to do with the increasing popularity of mobile payments: for international debit cards (like credit cards) can easily be added to payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

A trend that many retailers view with mixed feelings is thus continuing. This is because international debit cards also mean higher fees for them, e.g. in comparison to girocard. Dependency on global players is also a long-term threat, making cost and system controls more difficult in retail.

girocard still number 1 in Germany

The growth in international debit cards has not, however, changed the fact (yet) that the popular girocard remains the primary payment method in physical retail stores in Germany.

girocard did lose a little ground compared to the previous year, though: its share of turnover in the payment mix dropped from 42.4 % (2023) to 41.5 % (2024). This fall could also be due to the fact that some direct banks no longer even offer their customers the girocard function – or only at an additional cost.

Classic credit cards also dropped slightly (from 8.6 % to 8.3 %).

Cash withdrawals and deposits at the POS

Although fewer payments are being made with cash at the POS, so-called cashback services are being used more and more by customers in Germany: €13.57 billion in cash was paid out through girocard transactions in 2024. This corresponds to growth of +10.2 % (!) compared to the previous year.

This is certainly also due to the fact that banks are not only closing branches, but also continuing to reduce the number of cash machines available for withdrawing cash. Against this background, consumers are turning to cashback options in retail stores.

Fees for cashback services in Germany at almost 19 billion euros

The problem? Up to now, retailers have even had to pay fees for this additional service. In Germany in 2024, these fees amounted to almost 19 billion euros (!). Retailers pay fees of 0.14 % on average per payout. No wonder then that many retailers view the development critically: they’re taking on the role of “cash supplier” without adequate reward – and even have to pay for this service themselves.

Will the new “cash code” bring change?

A new process is now bringing a glimmer of hope for retailers: using the so-called “cash code”, which is scanned at the POS, people can now not only withdraw money, but can even deposit cash into their account.

In contrast to the classic cashback process, retailers don’t have to pay any fees, but for the first time actually receive a commission for this service. Is the new “cash code” function a first step to fair compensation for cash services in retail? Time will tell.

Mobile payments continue to increase

Paying by smartphone or smartwatch instead of using a plastic card: mobile payments are continuing to gain ground. More and more customers are using digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay to make contactless payments with their phone or smartwatch.

In 2024, the share of mobile payments in Germany rose to 5.7 % of all transactions – thus doubling within five years! Looking just at cashless payment processes, mobile payments already account for 12.85 %.

In urban areas and among younger people in particular, this payment method is now widespread. Both could indicate that the share could increase considerably in the future.

Will PayPal establish itself at the POS in physical stores?

PayPal too is trying to move beyond the online segment and establish itself in physical retail stores via mobile payment. After the NFC interface opened on iPhones in May 2025, it is now possible to pay via the so-called PayPal Wallet by double-tapping directly on the lock screen. Just as with Apple Pay or Google Pay, the payment process is then contactless via NFC and Face ID – without having to open the app first.

According to Payment & Banking, PayPal has already successfully realised several pilot projects. In addition, PayPal is also planning its own accompanying cashback programme, which is automatically linked to physical payments. This is not about withdrawing cash at the POS, however, but rather – as with Payback – about collecting points that can then be redeemed.

Although this feature is not yet available everywhere, it does show that PayPal is already aspiring to play a key role in physical retail stores too in future.

Reactions to the PayPal initiative are mixed: critics note that, besides the payment process at the POS, users cannot store other tickets etc. in the wallet – nor does the service differ from wallets that are already established. So it will be interesting to see whether PayPal can also gain a foothold in physical retail stores beyond its role in e-commerce.

Of course: POS terminals should support mobile payments!

Regardless of which wallet is ultimately used: the popularity of mobile payments will continue to rise – and your POS terminals have to be able to support this payment option in future. With respect to support: if you need help with the efficient and professional integration of new terminals, we are always here for you.

Instant payments: Account-to-account transfers in real time

In addition to mobile payments via wallet, there is another payment technology that could also change payment processes and habits at the POS and in e-commerce.

Instant payments – i.e. real-time transfers – allow an immediate credit of a cash amount to be made to the recipient’s account, usually within ten seconds! In contrast to card payments or wallet transactions, they are made directly from account to account (A2A), without taking a roundabout route via international credit card systems or token solutions.

The catalyst: Legal obligation from October 2025

A key accelerator in the development of this new technology: from October 2025, all European banks are legally obliged to actively offer these payments.

The advantages: Speed, transparency, lower costs

In contrast to wallet options, in which payments frequently have to be processed via credit card networks and the actual payment flow doesn’t occur in real time, instant payments promise full transparency, immediate execution and much lower costs for retailers.

Quo vadis WERO?

With WERO, there’s now also a European brand that wants to establish this technology across multiple channels – i.e. not just for P2P payments, but also for physical retail stores and e-commerce. Status at the end of May 2025:

That sounds great at first. But retailers are currently still sceptical about how well WERO will be established and accepted. Many remember the Paydirekt project, which didn’t catch on. Only a minority of those surveyed currently believe that WERO will dominate the market.

Nevertheless: instant payments are coming – and Wero could play a key role if banks and retailers work together for success.

Mandatory from June 2025: barrier-free terminals

The German Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG) should help to bring about more inclusion and participation. In this context, all new terminals must meet specific requirements for people with disabilities from June 2025. This includes:

The new law not only impacts POS terminal manufacturers: for the purpose of inclusion, retail companies must also remove any barriers in their terminal landscape.

Flexibility when integrating new terminals

A good occasion to have another think about changing to acquirers with better conditions as well. To ensure you’re better prepared when replacing your terminal landscape or switching acquirers in future, we can recommend our Pepper solutions for faster, more efficient and easier integration.