In Germany, entrepreneurs operating in shops, restaurants, and service sectors may be obliged to accept cashless payments.
Modern.az reports that German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil wants a draft law on this to be prepared.
Currently, businesses in Germany must accept cash payments, but they can refuse card payments. According to the new rules, customers should be given the option of both cash and digital payments.
The entrepreneur will be able to determine which digital method of payment will be accepted. Also, no minimum amount is foreseen for cashless payments. This means that it will be possible to pay for even a cup of coffee by card. Cash will not be abolished. The new requirement only stipulates that entrepreneurs must additionally provide digital payment options. Non-profit organizations, including amateur sports clubs and charitable associations, will be exempt from this requirement.
The German government is expected to adopt the bill this year, and the new rules are expected to come into force in 2027. According to the German "Bundesbank", 55 percent of daily payments in the country were already cashless last year.
It is interesting that Azerbaijan has implemented mandatory mechanisms in this direction earlier than Germany. In Azerbaijan, refusing to accept cashless payments in trade and catering facilities where POS-terminals are mandatory is considered a violation of consumer rights. The acceptance of cashless payments via POS-terminals in such facilities is regulated by law.
Thus, the system planned to be implemented in Germany from 2027 is similar to the requirements already existing in Azerbaijan for certain categories of facilities. In Azerbaijan, both cash and cashless payment options are maintained in cases required by law.
