The Bank of Italy has published an analysis of retail payment developments from 2018 to 2025, finding that digital payment adoption accelerated during the pandemic and remained elevated afterward. Noncash transactions more than doubled to over 16 billion, driven primarily by payment cards, which accounted for about 75% of these transactions in 2025, up from 63% in 2018. Card payments at physical points of sale exceeded 10 billion in 2025, while remote card transactions reached more than 2.7 billion. Instant credit transfers rose to about 298 million, or 24% of transfers under European payment schemes. Regional gaps in electronic payment use narrowed as growth in southern Italy outpaced other areas, although usage remained higher in northern and central regions. Cash remained important despite fewer withdrawals and a smaller distribution network. About 98% of the population lived within five kilometers of a cash access point at the end of 2025. Public administration payments and receipts were predominantly digital, with credit transfers the main instrument for both the state treasury and local authorities.
2026-08-27Bank of Italy
Bank of Italy reports noncash transactions more than doubled to over 16 billion by 2025
The Bank of Italy found that noncash transactions more than doubled between 2018 and 2025 to over 16 billion, with cards accounting for about 75% of the total. Instant transfers expanded rapidly and regional gaps narrowed, while cash remained important and accessible to most of the population. Public administration transactions were predominantly digital and centered on credit transfers.