Deutschland zahlt digital, or Germany pays digitally. This project, launched last week, is reminiscent of a programme that has been implemented in Poland for several years by the Polska Bezgotowkowa Foundation. Reminiscent is even an understatement, as the Germans drew heavily on the Polish experience. During the event launching Deutschland zahlt digital, Joanna Erdman, President of Polska Bezgotówkowa, spoke.

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The terms of the Germany pays digitally programme are also modelled on our foundation's project. Small and medium-sized companies can receive terminals free of charge for a period of one year. They can also accept cashless payments of up to EUR 50,000 without incurring any fees. The conditions for participation are that no cards have been accepted in the 12 months preceding entry into the programme and that they have a maximum of five points where customers are served.

The goal of the just-launched project is to install one million new payment terminals. Among those who have launched Deutschland zahlt digital are payment organisations Mastercard and Visa as well as other financial institutions, including Commerz Globalpay, Deutsche Bank, Flatpay, Sumup, Unzer and VR Payment. The ambassador of the initiative is Marcus W. Mosen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of fintech bank N26.

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Interestingly, Germany is another country that has already recognised the advantages of the programme implemented by Polska Bezgotówka and wants to replicate its success at home. It will be recalled that at the beginning of 2020, the ‘Czech Republic pays by card’ project was launched. In addition to the Czech authorities, Mastercard, and Visa, local banking organisations and business associations were also involved in the project. As in Poland, companies that do not yet accept card payments can receive a payment terminal free of charge for a year. After this period, they can return it or continue to use it under market conditions.