Digital payments in Hungary - statistics & facts

Despite the increasing popularity and variety of available digital payment methods, cash still plays a crucial role in many Hungarians’ lives. In 2023, the overall penetration rate of digital payment methods reached almost 60 percent, while the usage rate of mobile POS payments stood at 17 percent. In the same year, digital payment transaction values reached nearly 8.9 billion U.S. dollars in Hungary.

How do Hungarians prefer to pay?

While many Hungarians have adopted the use of multiple digital payment solutions, a significant share of the population still relies on using banknotes in many situations. In addition to personal preferences, payment habits are also shaped by the options available at retailers and different service providers. As of 2022, Hungarians predominantly paid in cash at hairdressers, barbers, and cosmeticians, and half of the surveyed population paid in cash for medical treatments. In comparison, the share of Hungarians who preferred to pay cash totaled 23 percent for electronic games and software, and 25 percent for accommodation services. Regarding e-commerce transactions, most Hungarians favored card payments or digital wallets, with only a small share of shoppers paying cash.

Mobile payments are becoming increasingly popular

With the majority of the population becoming active smartphone users, the popularity of mobile payment methods has been rapidly increasing in Hungary over recent years. However, the country still records lower usage rates than its Western European neighbors. In the second quarter of 2023, approximately 20 percent of payment cards issued in the country were registered in mobile wallets, up from five percent recorded in the first quarter of 2020. The penetration rate of mobile POS (point of sale) payments was estimated to reach nearly 17 percent as of 2023. This figure is expected to undergo a slight increase over the following years, peaking at 19 percent in 2028. As the majority of Hungarian smartphone owners are Android users, Google Pay has a far larger customer base in the country than Apple Pay.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Flora Medve, Dec 22, 2023

Key insights

Most common payment method in Hungary
card payment
Digital commerce market revenue in Hungary
6.9bn USD
Number of digital commerce market users in Hungary
5.6m
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Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Forecast of the digital payments market revenue in Hungary from 2018 to 2028, by segment (in million U.S. dollars)

Payments

Forecast of the digital payments market revenue in Hungary 2018-2028

Penetration rate of online banking in Hungary from 2014 to 2029

Financial Services

Penetration rate of online banking in Hungary 2014-2029

Number and share of payment cards registered in mobile wallets in Hungary from 1st quarter 2020 to 2nd quarter 2023

Payments

Number and share of payment cards registered in mobile wallets in Hungary 2020-2023

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Cryptocurrencies

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