Czech National Bank reports instant payments reach 53% of Czechs with 99% user satisfaction

The Czech National Bank published survey results and payment system data showing that instant payments have moved into mainstream use in the Czech Republic, with 53% of Czechs using the service and 99% of users satisfied. The update highlights continued growth in the CNB-operated instant payments system, including QR-code payments to retailers, and shows that the service is now available through banks covering almost the entire Czech retail market. According to the release, the average time from entering a payment instruction at the sending bank to crediting the recipient account is three seconds, and the service runs continuously 24 hours a day throughout the year through the CERTIS interbank payment system. In April 2026, 40.8 million instant payments were processed, almost one half more than in April 2025. The Ipsos survey also found that 31% of the population already use QR-code instant payments in bricks-and-mortar and online stores, with 98% of those users satisfied. Almost all banks have joined the system since its 2018 launch, with the last major bank doing so in 2025. The CNB said the next expansion will come in 2027 for euro payments. All banks will be required to accept instant euro payments from January 2027, and by July 2027 at the latest they must also enable customers to send instant euro payments on a continuous 24/7 basis. In parallel, the CNB and banks are preparing bulk koruna instant payments, which could be used for wage payments, while koruna instant payments are already available for taxes, fees, insurance contributions and other payments to state and public institutions.