Do French people still use cheques and cash?
Less and less. Cheques fell 14% in 2025 and are below 2% of non-cash transactions. Cash still made 43% of point-of-sale transactions in 2024, but cards have overtaken it in stores.
In detail
Less and less. Cheques fell 14% in 2025 and are below 2% of non-cash transactions. Cash still made 43% of point-of-sale transactions in 2024, but cards have overtaken it in stores.
How people pay in France in 2026
Instant transfers grew 78% in 2025 and now make up about one transfer in six, while cheques, long a French habit, fell 14% and are below 2% of transactions. Wero, the European bank wallet that replaced Paylib for transfers between friends, started taking online payments at some French banks in 2026, ahead of a wider launch. Online shoppers mix CB cards, PayPal and split payments in three or four installments. A French checkout needs CB routing, Apple Pay and Google Pay, PayPal, and a pay in 3 or 4 option.
Payment by cash in France
Cash is losing ground but not disappearing. The ECB's SPACE survey, analyzed by the Banque de France, found that cash made 43% of point-of-sale transactions in 2024, down 25 points since 2016, and that cards overtook cash in stores for the first time. The same study notes that the vast majority of French people still value having cash as an option.
More detail in our #PayWorldTour guide Payment methods in France.