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Study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE)

The study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE) looks at the payment habits of consumers in euro area countries. It examines how they use various payment methods and their preferences. It also looks at how consumers perceive the accessibility and ease of use of these methods. This research provides the ECB and the national central banks with valuable insights into payment behaviours and is crucial for tracking changes in these behaviours over time, supporting the Eurosystem’s cash and retail payments strategies.

The first SPACE study was conducted in 2019 and follow-up studies are carried out on a regular basis to continue our research on payment trends. The next SPACE study is scheduled to be published in 2026.

2024 Study results

Payment behaviour

Cash remains the payment method used most frequently in shops, although its use declined further. The share of digital payments continues to increase, but at a slower pace, with cards still being the most popular method. The share of mobile apps is on the rise.

More on payment behaviour
Payment preferences

Consumer preferences are unchanged. Over half of euro area consumers prefer to use cards and other digital payment methods. However, a majority of consumers consider it important to have the option to pay with cash.

More on payment preferences
Access and acceptance

Most consumers are satisfied with their access to cash, but the number decreased slightly. While cash is accepted for most payments at physical locations, the level of acceptance varies across countries. The possibility to pay with electronic means increased in all euro area countries.

More on access and acceptance

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Full release

How do people in the euro area make payments? Find out more about consumers’ payment behaviour and which payment methods they prefer.

Full report

For the media

This report presents the main results of the latest study on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area (SPACE 2024). It looks at the payment behaviour and preferences of consumers, as well as access to and acceptance of cash and electronic payment methods.

Press release

Analyse the results

About the survey

The 2024 SPACE results are based on information collected directly from 50,000 euro area consumers by the market research company Ipsos in two rounds of online and telephone interviews. The first survey round took place between September and November 2023, while the second was conducted between April and June 2024.

The aim of SPACE is to shed light on people’s behaviour and preferences regarding payment methods. Respondents are asked about the benefits of using cash and cards, how they usually withdraw cash, and their access to financial products, among other topics. Additionally, this latest study included private payments to another person as a new category of online payments. The response options for payment methods, especially online payments, were also updated to include more options, such as instant payments.  

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact us at banknotes1@ecb.europa.eu.

Survey background

Aggregate statistics

Microdata

2022 SPACE microdata

2019 SPACE microdata

2016 SUCH microdata

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