Payment methods in Germany
Germany is Europe's second largest e-commerce market. It is worth a massive US$145 billion a year - and that will rise to US$197 billion by 2027.
Market takeaways
- Germany is Europe's second largest e-commerce market. It is worth a massive US$145 billion a year - and that will rise to US$197 billion by 2027.
- The average German consumer spends US$1,806 online every year. By 2027, that will rise to US$2,442.
- Germany is a fragmented country when it comes to payment methods, some of the most popular being Girocard, PayPal, and Sepa Direct Debit.
- In the last three years, the percentage of online shoppers who bought things from merchants outside of Germany rose from 37% to 43%.
- Germans make 42% of all their online purchases using mobile devices. To ensure the best possible conversion rate, your payment options must be optimized for mobile.
Population
83.6M
Online population
80.3M
B2C e-commerce
$134B
Banked population
99.9%
Credit card population
56%
E-commerce of total retail
16%
Payment method breakdown
- Card17%
- Cash4%
- Bank Transfer30%
- E-Wallet33%
- Other16%
Card scheme breakdown
- Visa15%
- Mastercard12%
- American Express2%
- Local Schemes (Girocard)72%
- Other0%
Cross-border e-commerce
Cross-border shoppers
43%
Share of e-commerce
20%
Cross-border value (est.)
$26.8B
Featured payment methods in Germany
Popular options based on coverage and prominence in this market.
Open Invoice
A payment method uniquely popular in Germany where customers receive their goods first and pay the invoice afterward. Deeply embedded in German consumer culture, especially in the online fashion sector. Offered by merchants directly or via providers like Klarna and Afterpay.
Klarna
A Swedish BNPL provider that is a dominant player in Germany, offering pay-later invoice, instant bank transfer, and installment payment options. One of Germany's most widely used checkout payment methods.
BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later)
Installment and deferred payment services — led by Klarna — that allow consumers to pay for purchases in instalments or at a later date. Has seen explosive growth across Germany over the past five years.
Klarna Open Banking
A widely used bank transfer method in Germany formerly branded as SOFORT, now operated by Klarna. Customers log into their bank via a secure interface and confirm the transfer directly. Merchant receives instant confirmation. Flow: User selects Klarna Open Banking, logs into their bank via a secure interface, confirms the transfer. Merchant receives instant confirmation while settlement completes.
FLOA Pay
A BNPL provider offering split payment options at checkout. Available in Germany and 6 other European markets, growing in German e-commerce as an alternative to Klarna.
Scalapay
European BNPL offering 3-installment payment at checkout. Active in Germany and 8 other European markets, with particular strength in fashion and lifestyle retail categories.
All payment methods in Germany
Discover 10 payment methods from around the world
Featured banks in Germany
Major institutions operating in this market.
HSBC Holdings
London, United Kingdom
HSBC is one of the world's largest banks by assets, headquartered in London with a dominant presence in Asia. It offers retail, commercial, and investment banking in over 60 countries.
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)
Beijing, China
ICBC is the world's largest bank by total assets and the largest of China's 'Big Four' state-owned banks. It offers retail, corporate, and investment banking globally.
JPMorgan Chase
New York, United States
JPMorgan Chase is the largest US bank and one of the world's largest financial institutions, offering consumer banking, investment banking, commercial banking, and asset management globally.
UBS Group
Zurich, Switzerland
UBS Group is Switzerland's largest bank and one of the world's premier wealth managers. Following its acquisition of Credit Suisse in 2023, UBS now manages over $5 trillion in invested assets globally.
MUFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group)
Tokyo, Japan
MUFG is Japan's largest bank and one of the world's largest financial groups, offering retail, corporate, investment, and trust banking globally.
Bank of China (BOC)
Beijing, China
Bank of China is China's most internationally active bank, specialising in foreign exchange and cross-border trade finance. It is one of the Big Four state-owned banks.
All banks in Germany
Showing 32 of 45 banks