Belgium’s payment landscape in 2025 confirmed a trend that has been accelerating for years: digital payments are no longer an alternative, they are an expectation. The Digital Payments Barometer 2025, an Ipsos survey conducted by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, provides a clear snapshot of how Belgians pay today.

Here is what the data tells us about payment habits in Belgium in 2025 and what it means for consumers and business alike.

Digital payments have become the default choice

84% of Belgian consumers favor digital over cash payments in stores and daily transactions. This preference reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior: electronic payments are seen as faster, easier to track, and increasingly secure. For many consumers, paying electronically has become an automatic choice.

Contactless cards: a new normal

Contactless card payments are deeply embedded in Belgium consumer habits: 6 in 10 Belgians reported making a contactless card payment in the week prior the survey, and 77% of Belgians feel comfortable using contactless payments, a level that has remained consistently high year-on-year. This trend is present across all generations, with the exception of those aged 75 and over. This data underlines how deeply contactless payments are embedded in daily routines.

Mobile payments and QR codes are growing fast

Mobile payments, both via QR codes and connected devices (like smartphones or smartwatches), are becoming more common in Belgium: 55% of Belgians have used mobile payments at least once in 2025, and 48% have already paid by scanning a QR code, up from 42% the previous year.

Younger generations (especially those aged 16-24) are the most frequent adopters of mobile payment technologies, while usage starts to taper off in older age groups as apps become simpler and trust increases. Whether in stores or on-the-go, mobile wallets are now part of the mainstream Belgian payment landscape.

Online shopping and payment apps are routine

Belgian consumers also embrace e-commerce and digital payment apps: a high 87% of Belgians have made an online purchase at least once. Many customers now make online payments using debit or credit cards, banking apps and QR code-based payment apps. The increasing ubiquity of banking and payment apps, both online and in-store, is helping blur the line between digital and physical shopping experiences.

Cash is declining, but it is not gone yet

The Barometer shows electronic options leading in preference and adoption, and fewer consumers relying on cash, especially among older adults over the age of 55. On top, consumers tolerance for cash-only situations is decreasing: when electronic payment isn’t possible, 15% of consumers would cancel their purchase rather than pay with cash. This highlights a shift: digital payment acceptance is no longer a nice-to-have but a prerequisite for conversion and customer satisfaction.

Cryptocurrencies still known but not widely used

The Barometer also explores awareness of alternative digital assets. 16% of Belgians report owning cryptocurrencies, with ownership highest among younger age groups. However, crypto remains a niche part of payment behavior with most users involved for investment or interest in technology rather than frequent spending.

The Digital Payments Barometer 2025 clearly shows that Belgian payment habits are becoming increasingly digital:

• Digital payments dominate preference
• Contactless and mobile methods continue to gain traction
• Cash use is diminishing, though not obsolete
• Online buying and app use tie into wider digital lifestyles

As a business, it is essential to prioritise digital payment acceptance to meet consumer expectations, especially contactless and mobile methods. Failing to offer convenient electronic options risks losing sales.