While debit and credit cards remain in second place with a daily usage rate of 32%, mobile devices are steadily rising and are used by 10% of respondents, up from 7% in 2022.
Join BİLGİ WhatsApp channel
Determining factors in choosing payment methods include age and education level. Those aged over 54 tend to rely more on cash in everyday life, while the 25-44 age group shows a preference for card use.
Cash remains the main means of payment rather than cards: 65% of people use it every day
The youngest groups are at the forefront of adopting mobile devices for transactions. Education level also shapes this choice: individuals with basic education favor cash, those with secondary and higher education use cards more, and those with higher education lean toward mobile devices.
The daily money usage figure comes with notes of source and visualization.
The reasons behind these choices vary. Cash is favored for its practicality, established social habits, and the sense of having better control over spending. Cards and mobile devices are preferred for their speed and convenience in transactions.
The future of cash in Spain
Even with rising digital options, a rapid shift is unlikely in the near term. Many respondents expect cash usage to stay similar to today within a year, though expectations differ by age. Among those under 35, 39 percent anticipate using less cash, while only 16 percent of people over 64 expect to reduce cash use.
The report also notes that cash is still widely accepted in small businesses and the hospitality sector. Cards and mobile devices are accepted in about 89% and 78% of these venues, respectively.
ATM access remains the main source for obtaining cash for most people, with 75% using it. While cash withdrawal points are seen as slightly farther away than in 2022, the majority of Spaniards (80%) can still reach cash in under one kilometer. Alternatives like in-store withdrawals or the Correos Cash service are not widely known to the public.
Earlier notes highlight the digital euro: public knowledge rose from 17% in 2022 to 20% in 2023, but overall awareness remains fairly low.
This study on cash usage habits for 2023 offers a clear snapshot of Spaniards’ current relationship with cash and digital payment methods. While some signs of change appear, cash remains a central part of daily life in Spain and is unlikely to disappear in the near term.