Contactless Payments Surge in Ireland, Mobile Wallets Now Dominate
Ireland is experiencing a rapid shift in payment preferences, with contactless transactions now accounting for 88.7% of all point-of-sale (POS) card payments in 2025. A significant driver of this trend is the increasing popularity of mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, which now handle 62.4% of all contactless payments, surpassing traditional card-based contactless methods. Simultaneously, cash usage continues its decline, with ATM and cashback withdrawals falling by 7.1% in the past year.
The Rise of Mobile Wallets
The Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) reports that over 1.6 billion contactless POS payments, totaling over €30 billion, were made in shops, restaurants and other retail outlets in 2025. This represents a substantial increase in both volume and value compared to previous years. Notably, for every €1 withdrawn in cash, €2.46 was spent using contactless payments, a significant jump from the €1.70 ratio recorded in 2023 [BPFI Payments Monitor – September 2025].
According to BPFI data, 159 out of 298 contactless payments made per person in Ireland on Irish cards in 2025 were completed through mobile wallets, highlighting the growing preference for smartphone-based payments [RTÉ – BPFI].
Decline in Cash Usage
While contactless payments are on the rise, the use of cash is demonstrably decreasing. Cash withdrawals, including those from ATMs and cashback facilities, fell by 7.1% in 2024 to 82.2 million transactions, with a corresponding 4.2% decrease in value to €12.2 billion [BPFI Payments Monitor – September 2025]. This trend was consistent across the country, with Donegal being the only county where the value of cash withdrawn remained unchanged.
Ensuring Access to Cash
Despite the shift towards digital payments, measures are in place to maintain access to cash for those who rely on it. New legislation enacted in 2024 requires financial institutions to ensure that an ATM is located within 10km of the majority of homes and businesses, guaranteeing cash access in towns and villages nationwide.
Consumer Confidence in Payment Technologies
A consumer survey conducted by the BPFI also indicates high levels of awareness and confidence in various banking and payment technologies, including instant payments and facial recognition [Irish Times – BPFI].
Key Takeaways
- Contactless payments now represent 88.7% of all POS card transactions in Ireland.
- Mobile wallets are the preferred method for contactless payments, handling 62.4% of such transactions.
- Cash usage is declining, with ATM and cashback withdrawals falling by 7.1% in 2024.
- Legislation ensures continued access to cash through a network of ATMs.
- Irish consumers demonstrate high confidence in modern payment technologies.