The number of card payments at POS terminals in the EU varied significantly per country, with France taking up the top position of the 27 countries. This reveals itself in a comparison of the total number of card transactions - either credit cards or debit cards - at point-of-sale (POS) terminals within the EU-27. Note that because of Brexit, the United Kingdom is not included anymore in these figures. Whilst France's position is not surprising when compared to the overall value of card payments within the EU, what is noticeable are the relatively high positions of Poland, Spain, and Italy. The two Mediterranean countries boast a relatively high credit card ownership, which may explain this. In the case of Poland, however, payments with domestic card BLIK are a likely driver.
Number of POS transactions with cards - either credit card or debit card - in 27 countries in Europe from 2000 to 2022
(in millions)
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Survey time period
2000 to 2022
Special properties
The figure for 2022 is provisional; The source significantly changed its database in November 2023. This may mean methodology changes, or not all EU-27 countries reporting the same figures.
Supplementary notes
The figures have been taken from several publications.
Due to Brexit, the source from 2020 onwards removed all figures that cover the United Kingdom
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
ECB, & Statista. (November 9, 2023). Number of POS transactions with cards - either credit card or debit card - in 27 countries in Europe from 2000 to 2022 (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1132924/number-of-cashless-payments-in-the-european-union/
ECB, und Statista. "Number of POS transactions with cards - either credit card or debit card - in 27 countries in Europe from 2000 to 2022 (in millions)." Chart. November 9, 2023. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1132924/number-of-cashless-payments-in-the-european-union/
ECB, Statista. (2023). Number of POS transactions with cards - either credit card or debit card - in 27 countries in Europe from 2000 to 2022 (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1132924/number-of-cashless-payments-in-the-european-union/
ECB, and Statista. "Number of Pos Transactions with Cards - Either Credit Card or Debit Card - in 27 Countries in Europe from 2000 to 2022 (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 9 Nov 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1132924/number-of-cashless-payments-in-the-european-union/
ECB & Statista, Number of POS transactions with cards - either credit card or debit card - in 27 countries in Europe from 2000 to 2022 (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1132924/number-of-cashless-payments-in-the-european-union/ (last visited December 21, 2024)
Number of POS transactions with cards - either credit card or debit card - in 27 countries in Europe from 2000 to 2022 (in millions) [Graph], ECB, & Statista, November 9, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1132924/number-of-cashless-payments-in-the-european-union/