The Most Popular Payment Methods in Europe

In this article, we will explore the most popular payment methods in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, France, Italy, Poland, and Finland.

The United Kingdom

As per Marqeta’s research, the majority of UK consumers (77%) have embraced digital wallets and mobile payments for their purchases, with PayPal being one of the most favored payment methods in the country. While a smaller proportion of consumers use other digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

PayPal

PayPal is a widely accepted payment method in the UK and is considered the most popular digital payment platform. It has become the preferred payment option for many businesses, especially those that operate online. PayPal’s ease of use, security, and widespread acceptance make it an ideal payment option for consumers.

Austria

Austria is an emerging e-commerce market that is poised for growth in the foreseeable future. Austrians have shown a strong inclination for cross-border shopping, with 83% of online shoppers purchasing from international retailers. This presents a lucrative opportunity for businesses looking to expand into Austria.

To ensure success in this market, it’s crucial to take into account the commonly preferred payment methods. By offering these preferred payment options, businesses can streamline the checkout process, enhance customer experience, and boost customer retention.

EPS

EPS is an Austria-based payment method that allows customers to complete transactions online using their bank credentials. EPS is supported by all Austrian banks and is accepted by over 80% of Austrian online retailers.

Poland

Poland is a booming market – it is the 21st largest market for eCommerce, with a predicted revenue of US$16,608.4 million by 2023, placing it ahead of Sweden.

To achieve success, it is crucial to provide local bank transfer methods, cards, and BLIK as payment options. All mentioned are fully supported by TrustPay.

Blik

BLIK, which is Poland’s top local payment method, was established in 2015 by six major banks and has access to 95% of the market. In 2022, nearly 13 million people actively used the BLIK payment method in Poland. An increase of 28 percent from the previous year.

Blik is a mobile payment system that enables customers to make payments using their smartphones. This payment method is considered a secure and convenient payment option for consumers.

Germany

Although German consumers tend to favor debit and credit cards, particularly Mastercard and Visa, many local payment options are still available. SEPA Direct and alternative methods like PayPal are widely used and accepted.

Despite being one of the most fragmented markets in Europe in terms of payment preferences, revenue in the e-commerce market is projected to reach US$125.50bn in 2023.

Belgium

In Belgium, the e-commerce market is thriving and adapting to the changing demands of online businesses and consumers. By the end of 2023, the total revenue of Belgium’s e-commerce sector is projected to reach US$11.01 billion, indicating significant growth.

When it comes to payment methods, Belgians have a variety of options to choose from. The most popular payment method for online purchases in Belgium is the Bancontact payment system, in addition to traditional card payments, alternative payment options such as PayPal and iDEAL are also gaining popularity among Belgian consumers.

Bancontact

As online shopping becomes increasingly popular, payment methods have become essential to the e-commerce industry. In Belgium, Bancontact is the top payment method used both in-person and online, with over 17.4 million Bancontact cards in circulation, surpassing the number of Belgians.

It is a regional payment system that enables customers to make secure payments using their bank account conveniently.

The Netherlands

When it comes to payments, the Netherlands has a reputation for being at the forefront of innovation and technology. With a highly developed banking sector and a tech-savvy population, the Dutch market has its unique specifics when it comes to payment methods.

 iDeal

iDeal is the most popular payment method in the Netherlands. It is a bank transfer payment system that enables customers to make online payments directly from their bank account. This option is a secure payment method and is widely accepted by merchants in the country.

France

France offers exciting opportunities for e-commerce entrepreneurs in industries where the revenue in the eCommerce market is projected to reach US$91.65bn in 2023.

Bank cards are the most popular payment method in France, with the local card scheme Cartes Bancaires (CB) as the dominant payment method.

Carte Bancaires

Carte Bancaires is France’s local card scheme and the region’s most widely used payment method. Payments with Cartes Bancaires account for around 60% of current household consumption in France.

Italy

Italy, being a relatively young e-commerce market, presents a lucrative opportunity for businesses to tap into a new customer base. Despite Italy’s reputation for being a cash-based society with limited internet infrastructure, the adoption of digital payments is on the rise.

Satispay

Satispay is a  popular payment method in Italy. It is a mobile payment system that enables customers to make payments directly from their smartphones. This payment method leads the mobile payments market in the country and positions itself as a unique European app for everyday life experiences.
This payment method is also increasingly used in France and Luxembourg.

MyBank

MyBank is a widely used payment method in Italy that allows for direct bank transfers, and it is integrated with over 140 banks. With MyBank, your customers can conveniently and securely complete transactions using their banking credentials. As MyBank utilizes real-time bank transfers, the payments made through this method are fully guaranteed.

Finland

Finland is a Nordic country known for its high standard of living, advanced technology, and efficient digital infrastructure. When it comes to online payments, Finland has a unique set of preferences and practices that reflect the Finnish way of paying.

A market leader in online and mobile banking services, many Finns use online banking to pay for e-commerce goods.

Paytrail

This payment method is supported by all major banks in Finland. The shopper selects their bank from a drop-down in your checkout and is redirected to their bank’s website or app to complete the payment.

There are also other payment methods that are widely used in Finland and, at the same time, in other countries like Denmark. Payment method like this is, for example as MobilePay.

Croatia

E-commerce in Croatia is growing. The pandemic accelerated this trend and influenced many Croats to shop online for the first time. However, much of the population still pay via cash on delivery for online purchases there is a growing trend of using other alternative payment options.

Aircash

Aircash is a Croatian virtual cash wallet with more than 200 000 users onto which funds are deposited in cash or by Visa, Maestro, and Mastercard credit/debit cards.

Overall, Aircash provides users with a convenient and secure way to make digital payments using their mobile phones, offering flexibility and ease of use for various types of transactions.

Portugal

Portugal’s robust economy has made it a desirable market for European businesses. However, it’s essential to grasp the distinct payment methods utilized in Portugal to ensure success in this market. To optimize your opportunities, it’s crucial to acquaint yourself with the preferred payment methods among the Portuguese population.

In addition to well-known options such as credit and debit cards, there are mainly local options such as Multibanco and MB Way – both soon available through TrustPay – that work in Portugal.

Multibanco and MB Way

Multibanco is a widely used payment method in Portugal. It is an interbank network that enables customers to make payments through ATMs, online banking, and mobile banking apps. Multibanco is considered a safe and convenient payment option for consumers.

MB WAY, which currently has more than 2 million active users, is the Portuguese favorite for mobile payments. The shopper enters their phone number and selects to pay. The shopper then goes to the MB WAY app, where they complete the payment. Your website or app will then display the payment result.

Most customers will have a preferred payment method – whether that is a card, an e-wallet, or a bank transfer option. Offering a customer’s preferred payment method can significantly boost conversion and customer lifetime value. The payment methods mentioned above are the most popular payment options in their respective countries. As the e-commerce industry continues to grow, it is essential for businesses to offer a variety of payment options to their customers. By doing so, they can increase customer satisfaction, reduce cart abandonment rates, and ultimately drive sales.

Let our experts help you with choosing the right and optimal payment mix for your business! Contact our team directly at sales@trustpay.eu or visit https://www.trustpay.eu/more-payment-methods/ to learn more.