(credit card in this can also apply to debit cards etc.)
I ask because during a vacation about 10 years ago we stopped at a McDonalds in Germany and I was shocked to find out they didn’t take my VISA, and I had to walk to the nearest shopping mall to withdraw money.
In Sweden it’s almost unheard of to not be able to use a credit card. Even the smallest stores take credit cards, and mostly just older people use cash these days. And if a store doesn’t have a card scanner you can usually pay with your phone.
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In Poland pretty much every shop accepts card. The exception are people selling fruit and vegetables at markets, but even some of them started getting card readers recently. I have not used cash even once this year.
well first, most people only have a debit card here, especially the elderly.
cash is king but ever since the pandemic only paying with your card became the norm. i think the only place where paying in cash is still the more popular option are restaurants, although more and more places are offering card payments. it’s progressing! rural places can be much more cash orientated though.
Both systems are widespread, credit and debit cards are used mainly (but I think this is the case everywhere) for larger transactions, by tourists and students, cash for all small payments. Recently, an obligation was introduced for all businesses to be equipped with a payment terminal.
Most places will take card/Apple Pay (or the Android equivalent) other than some really small places or honesty box-type places, even a lot of roll vans/burger vans will take card these days.
Except tattoo artists, it’s a nightmare to find one who will take card to save you carrying hundreds of pounds in cash to an appointment (let’s be honest though, most of them are just at it to avoid tax).
Germany is a bit weird in that sense. I don’t get it. But many places even in Berlin don’t take credit cards which seems weird to me as it’s a huge city. In Slovakia, almost all stores will take credit cards. Even even small towns let alone in the capital.
I (usually) live in Sweden. Haven’t used cash since 2017, as in, I genuinely haven’t had a single coin or banknote in my hand since 2017. Spent a summer in Germany a couple of years ago (during the pandemic) and was genuinely uncomfortable with having to handle money again.
In Croatia, only place where they dont (usually) accept cards are fruit/veggie stands, some bakeries and bars.
If there werent for bars, I would never use cash tbh
With a few exceptions here and there, cards are accepted almost everywhere. I pay 99% of the time with cash though.