October 13, 2026, 3:12 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Even small purchases still encounter minimum amounts for card payments. The Federal Ministry of Finance now wants to remove such barriers and generally enable digital payments.
A drink for 2 euros, but card payments are only accepted for purchases of 10 euros or more. Such minimum amounts can lead customers to either buy additional products or need cash. The Federal Ministry of Finance now plans to abolish minimum amounts for card payments.
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The change is part of a larger reform. Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) wants to require businesses and restaurants to enable digital payments. The planned mandate will apply to retail, gastronomy, and service providers. The respective businesses should generally be able to decide which digital payment method to offer.
Surcharges should also be excluded
Additional fees for digital payments should also not be allowed. Such a ban already applies to common consumer cards. These include the Girocard as well as debit and credit cards issued by Visa and Mastercard in Germany. However, smaller retailers often cite the resulting costs as a reason against card payments.
The amount of these costs depends on the respective contract. A study by the Deutsche Bundesbank cites average values of 0.2 percent of sales for Girocard payments. For Visa and Mastercard debit cards, it’s 0.8 percent, and for credit cards, 1.1 percent. Added to this are costs for the necessary card readers.
Retailers should have a say in the payment method
The specific digital payment method should not be completely prescribed. Retailers should be allowed to decide which method they offer. However, at least one European payment method must be available according to the plans. Which cards actually work with it depends on the chosen method. Cash should remain available as an alternative.
These are still plans, and the corresponding rules have not been decided. The Federal Ministry of Finance aims to introduce the draft law to the cabinet by 2026. According to the stated timeline, the new regulations could be implemented in 2027.