Mobile Payment in Germany – what is possible, and what is not (2023)

FAQs

What are the payment options in Germany? ›

Contactless payment processes also include paying on a smartphone with the digital girocard. This is another key driver of payment trends in Germany, with mobile payments increasing towards 10% of all contactless transactions.

Losing your phone. It's like losing your credit card. Cyberthieves who spoof your mobile wallet. Malware on your cellphone.

PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Payback Pay are the top e-wallet apps in Germany. Moreover, German consumers also use banking apps for payment and transfer money. Furthermore, German customers prefer to pay credit or debit cards when they purchase goods or services online.

Zahlungsart {f} fin. Zahlungsweg {m} [Zahlungsmethode] fin.

The three most common types of payment in today's market are credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Credit and debit card transactions involve fees paid by merchants to the card companies, but they tend to involve larger purchase amounts than cash transactions.

In order to use Zelle®, the sender and recipient's bank accounts must be based in the U.S.

No, Zelle® can only be used to send funds to someone who has a bank account in the United States.

Going Digital. Increasingly, merchants throughout Europe accept Apple Pay and other digital "contactless" payment systems; Apple pay is accepted in over 60 countries as of July 2021.

Is Apple Pay accepted in Germany? ›

Apple Pay is more accessible in Germany than ever

A lot of major banks have adopted the service, including Commerzbank, Norisbank and Landesbank Baden-Wurttemberg. As of now only credit and debit cards issued by the German banks themselves can be integrated into Apple's payment service.

Apple Pay launched in Germany on December 10, 2018, with the service available through American Express, Deutsche Bank, Viabuy, Consorsbank, Hanseatic Bank, HypoVereinsbank, Edenred, Comdirect, Fidor Bank, Sparkasse, Sparkassen-Card, Commerzbank, and mobile banks and payment services o2, N26, bunq, and VIMpay.

These risks include everything from chargebacks and fraud to data breaches and payment declines. With more consumers choosing digital payments, it's essential to understand the risks of accepting debit, credit, and prepaid cards.

Phishing attacks

“Phishing remains one of the most often-used and successful tricks that cybercriminals use to compromise victims,” Pargman says of this mobile security threat.

Device compatibility is perhaps the most important factor for a mobile app. Make sure, not once, but TWICE, your app should provide flawless service and compatible on multiple devices.

No, you can't Zelle to Germany, as Zelle is available only in the US. The payment app only allows you to send money from one US bank account to another, meaning both the sender and the recipient must have US bank accounts.

Venmo is currently only supported within the U.S. If you try to sign in while abroad, you'll likely get an error message. We will be able to further assist you with any login issues upon your return to the U.S. If you are outside of the U.S. long term, please reach out to Venmo Support.

In the US and Germany, you can add PayPal as a payment method in your Google Wallet. You can use it to pay for some Google products in participating stores, apps and websites.

Why do Germans say Ach so? ›

Achso is a combination of ach which is generally translated as “oh”, or “alas” if you're feeling fancy, and so, which has a number of translations, including “so”, “right! ' and “yeah?”. The term ach so is used to express understanding.

Rather than paying for your items with credit cards or cash, a mobile payment allows you to complete the transaction completely from your mobile phone. Some mobile payments use third-party apps like Venmo and PayPal, while others use a digital wallet stored on your phone.

The most common payment methods are: Credit and debit card: This is one of the most commonly used and oldest payment methods worldwide.

Bank Transfer

Bank transfers are usually the cheapest option when it comes to funding your international money transfer with Wise. Bank transfers can be slower than debit or credit cards, but they usually give you the best value for your money.

PayPal is one easy method, and if the recipient doesn't have a bank account, they can spend money directly from their PayPal account. Remitly is another option and allows recipients to pick up cash transfers in person. Alternatively, you could send a money order or a prepaid international debit card.

Cash. Cash is king. It's true. Without cash (whether in our wallets, bank accounts, or tied up in CDs and money markets), there is no true financial security.

The most common electronic payment methods include ACH, debit and credit cards, wire and bank transfers, digital wallets, and mobile pay.

What is the best way to send money internationally? ›

An international bank transfer is usually the best way to transfer money internationally because it is secure, fast and cheaper than other methods such as cash, money orders or credit cards. A bank or money transfer company can carry out an international bank transfer for you.

For paperless transfers in euros, it usually takes one or two working days, according to EU payment guidelines. For transfers in foreign currencies, it takes up to four working days.

Advantages of an overseas card

The main advantage of using a debit or credit card overseas is that you won't pay foreign transaction fees every time you spend. While many also won't charge fees for cash withdrawals, you will still usually be charged interest from the date of the transaction if you use a credit card.

Specialist travel credit cards are the best method of paying for items abroad, but bad for cash withdrawals. They're still overall among the best cards to use abroad. Even credit cards that charge no cash withdrawal fees normally still charge interest on the withdrawal until you pay it off.

Only use Wi-Fi

One of the simplest ways to avoid paying international fees is to keep your phone in Airplane mode unless you're in a place with Wi-Fi. This is a great option for anyone willing to go a few hours a day without using their phone's data.

Google Pay is only available in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and Sweden.

Does Cash App work in Europe? Alternatives for 2023. Unfortunately, Cash App is not yet available in European countries – it's only available for US and UK residents. If you live in the US or UK and want to send money to a friend who lives in Germany, or another European country, you cannot do so.

What's going on? The problems with card payments seem to be linked to a commonly used card payments terminal from US company Verifone. According to reports, H5000 card machines at multiple retailers and businesses experienced a software malfunction that stopped them processing payments.

What are the challenges of mobile banking? ›

There is also risk of malware and virus attack which might lead to third party accessing an individual's private data and details such as their usernames, passwords etc. There is also risk in mobile banking through SMS. SMS services do provide end to end encryption of messages being exchanged.

Portability: Portable computers face physical challenges (volume, weight, power consumption, cost), pragmatic challenges (increased chance of data loss, small user-interface issues), and systems issues (network integration, resource imbalance such as lack of local storage, impoverished computational power).

Security Breaches. With a series of high-profile breaches over the past few years, security is one of the leading banking industry challenges, as well as a major concern for bank and credit union customers.

Some of the biggest security issues associated with online banking include malware or phishing scams to intercept or steal customers' personal and financial information. Online banking is safe. However, hackers are constantly at work, finding new ways to get around security measures.

Mobile payments can be convenient, fast and secure. They can, however, be expensive and still vulnerable to issues with technology. In particular, if there are any issues with the host phone, mobile payments will be unable to work at all.

Third, every payment method involves risk. The Bank for International Settlements' Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems identifies five major categories of risk associated with payment transactions: fraud, operational, legal, settlement, and systemic.

What causes payment failure? Failed payments can occur from both the merchant's end and the customer's end. A customer will often experience payment failure due to a faulty internet connection, entering incorrect payment details, or because there is not enough money in their account to cover the payment..

What are the possible attacks in e payment system? ›

Worms, Trojans, viruses, phishing, pharming, spoofing, man-in the middle, denial of service attack, transaction poisoning and spamming are the most common threats.

The problems which still exist are as follows: Not Traceable: The digital cash uses the internet, which makes traceability difficult. Hence, the system provides anonymity. This can be a good thing but also a bad thing.

Constant distraction, social disruption, never-ending workdays, ongoing expenses, cause of accidents, health problems, youth crimes, etc. are some of the major disadvantages of using mobile phones.