Why You Still Need Cash in the Eurozone
August 15, 2025
"Bargeld Lacht" (Cash is King)
While Scandinavia and the UK have gone almost entirely cashless (you can buy a banana with a card in Stockholm), Germany remains distinct. There is a cultural saying: "Nur Bares ist Wahres" (Only cash is true). In 2025, it is still common for smaller "Kneipen" (pubs), bakeries, and kiosks in Berlin or Munich to accept Cash Only or "EC Karte" (a local German debit card system) but refuse Visa/Mastercard.
Rural France & Italy
If you are renting a car and driving through Tuscany or Provence, do not rely on Apple Pay. Automated toll booths usually accept cards, but small village markets and family-run gelaterias often have broken machines or minimum spend limits (€10-15).
The Coins Matter
Unlike in the US, where coins are nuisance change, Euro coins are valuable. A €2 coin buys a coffee; two of them buy a sandwich.
Pro Tip: Always keep €0.50 and €1 coins in your pocket. Public restrooms ("Sanifair" on highways or stations) almost always require paid entry, and the turnstiles rarely accept tap-to-pay.
Tipping Etiquette
In most of Europe, you do not add the tip to the credit card terminal. If the bill is €45, you pay €45 by card, and then leave €2-5 in cash on the table. Servers often prefer cash tips as it ensures the money goes directly to them rather than the house pool.