Czech cash comeback? One in four shoppers told they can't use their cards

A recent survey by the STEM/MARK agency in collaboration with payment-services firm Euronet has revealed that one-quarter of people across Czechia have recently encountered situations where shops and businesses have refused card payments. Notably, this issue was more pronounced in the eastern parts of the country.

Experts speculate that some merchants' reluctance to accept card payments may stem from efforts to reduce tax payments. Earlier this year, a Senate initiative to enshrine the right to cash payments in the constitution was rejected, reflecting concerns about the potential mandatory nature of cashless payments amid the ongoing digitization.

Among those who encountered merchants refusing card payments over the past year, nearly half stated that they usually carried enough cash to complete their transactions. One-third of respondents reported attempting to locate an ATM, while one in five opted to go elsewhere where card payments were accepted.

Euronet's executive director, Ondřej Kozák, presented the survey's findings, highlighting a significant increase in the frequency of cash usage compared to the previous year. Approximately 42 percent of respondents now use cash frequently, with residents of Moravia showing a higher inclination toward this payment method.

The survey indicated a notable shift in daily payment habits, with a third of respondents reporting using cash on a daily basis, up from a quarter the previous year. Furthermore, a sizable 94 percent of respondents use cash at least once a week. A separate survey from earlier this year revealed that almost six in 10 Czechs “almost always” pay via card, which marks a sharp rise in recent years.

The primary reason for choosing cash payments was merchants refusing credit card payments. Other factors included the desire to maintain established payment habits and exercise greater control over personal finances, with payments of small amounts being the most commonly mentioned spontaneous reason for using cash.

Kozák emphasized that poor ATM availability, especially in small municipalities, remains a significant issue. While 45 percent of respondents expressed a desire for more ATMs in the places they frequent during the day, this demand has not seen significant improvement from the previous year.