Bank of Spain26 October 2026Nota de prensa

Cash retains its importance as a means of payment and a safeguard against emergencies and electronic failures

The Neural Herald summary, AI-generated

The Bank of Spain's 2026 Study on Cash Usage Habits shows that cash remains the main means of payment in shops for 57% of the population, while mobile devices rose from 15% to 18% and physical cards fell from 27% to 25%. Some 92% reject a cashless society.

Key points

The share keeping cash for emergencies rose from 32% to 36%.
71% value cash as protection against electronic failures and fraud; 67% for its privacy.
Access challenges persist in municipalities without a permanent bank branch and at some ATMs.

Who is affected

Citizens, retailers, credit institutions and financial inclusion policymakers.

Plain-language version

A Bank of Spain study shows cash is still the main way to pay in shops for 57% of people, though mobile payments have risen to 18%. 92% do not want a cashless society, and many keep cash for emergencies or in case electronic payments fail.

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Cash retains its importance as a means of payment and a safeguard against emergencies and electronic failures

Key points

Who is affected

Plain-language version

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