Bargeldloses Bezahlen: Girocard mit Rekordzahlen - kontaktlos boomt

Die Girocard, a cashless payment card used in Germany, saw record-breaking usage in the first half of 2026. Over 4.21 billion transactions were made, surpassing the previous high from the previous year by 4%. In total, 8.3 billion Girocard transactions were recorded for the first half of 2026. The majority of these transactions were contactless, with many users integrating the Girocard into their smartphone digital wallets.

In June, 92% of all payments were completed by simply walking past a terminal. Payment processing is encrypted and exchanged with the cash register terminal when a customer's card, smartphone, or smartwatch is held near it. Even small amounts are increasingly paid with the card, as PIN entry is no longer required for minimal transactions.

The number of payment terminals in retail across Germany has reached nearly 1.4 million, and the Girocard is being used more frequently for small purchases, such as at bakeries, kiosks, and ATMs. Average transaction amounts have been decreasing, now averaging just 36.12 euros in the first half of 2026. According to Euro Kartensysteme in Frankfurt, total Girocard sales in the first half of 2026 amounted to 151.9 billion euros, up from 150.7 billion euros the previous year.

The card, often referred to as an EC card, is the most widely used cashless payment method in Germany. With approximately 100 million Girocards in circulation, the card offers additional functionalities to make it even more appealing, such as in-app payments that will be possible starting in spring 2027. Additionally, it is planned for next year that the Girocard can be used instead of a credit card to book a rental car or reserve a hotel room.