Germany's Cashless Push: Free Card Payment Trials for Small Businesses
A new initiative is encouraging small businesses in Germany to adopt card payments without upfront costs. The 'Germany Pays Digitally' campaign, run in partnership with SumUp, offers a 12-month trial for merchants who currently only accept cash. The scheme aims to help shops test customer demand for cashless transactions in real-world conditions.
Eligible businesses can sign up through a dedicated partner link to SumUp and 'Germany Pays Digitally'. The offer is open only to those that have never accepted card payments before. Participants receive a SumUp Solo Lite terminal, which supports contactless payments, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and chip and PIN transactions for all major cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
During the trial, merchants pay no transaction fees on sales up to €50,000. There are also no monthly fixed costs, and the purchase price of the terminal is refunded. This allows businesses to assess whether customers prefer card payments without financial risk. After 12 months, companies can choose between two pricing plans: a 1.39% fee per transaction with no monthly charge, or a reduced 0.79% fee with a €19 monthly subscription. The trial comes as research shows 59% of shoppers prefer cashless payments in-store, while 41% would opt for card every time. Additionally, 19% of customers will walk away if only cash is accepted, and 34% react negatively when told a business is 'cash only'.
The initiative provides a low-risk way for small businesses to adapt to changing payment habits. By removing upfront costs, merchants can test card payments in their own stores before committing to a long-term plan. The trial period also helps them understand how cashless options could affect sales and customer satisfaction.
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