Payment methods
Payment methods in Germany: PayPal, invoice, direct debit, cards and Wero
German online shoppers pay mostly with PayPal and on invoice (Kauf auf Rechnung), followed by SEPA direct debit and cards, according to the EHI Online-Payment 2026 study. Giropay closed in June 2024 and Sofort in September 2024, and Wero has been live for German e-commerce since November 2025. A merchant selling to Germany usually needs PayPal, an invoice or buy now pay later option, direct debit and cards.
At a glance
| Currency | EUR |
|---|---|
| Top method online | PayPal, 28.7% of online retail turnover in 2025 (EHI) |
| Invoice | 26.1% of online retail turnover in 2025 (EHI) |
| Direct debit and cards | 14.4% and 13.7% in 2025 (EHI) |
| Discontinued | giropay on 30 June 2024; Sofort standalone on 30 September 2024 |
| Wero | Live for German e-commerce since November 2025 |
Which payment methods do shoppers use in Germany?
Germany is one of the few large European markets where cards are not the first choice online. In the EHI Retail Institute study Online-Payment 2026, PayPal had 28.7% of German online retail turnover in 2025, invoice purchases 26.1%, direct debit 14.4% and cards 13.7%.
Invoice payments are usually offered through a buy now pay later provider that checks the shopper and pays the merchant, rather than the shop carrying the credit risk itself.
| Method | Type | Typical use | Confirmation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Wallet | Default for many shoppers, marketplaces | Real time |
| Invoice (Rechnung) | Pay later, usually via a BNPL provider | Fashion, electronics, higher baskets | Merchant paid by provider; shopper pays within the term |
| SEPA direct debit (Lastschrift) | Bank debit with mandate | Subscriptions, utilities, repeat orders | Collected after pre-notification; refundable for 8 weeks |
| Cards | Visa, Mastercard, girocard via wallets | International shoppers, travel | Real time, chargebacks possible |
| Wero | Bank account wallet on SEPA Instant | Shoppers of participating banks | Real time |
What replaced giropay and Sofort?
Giropay stopped working on 30 June 2024; from 1 July 2024 payment providers could no longer process it. Sofort, owned by Klarna, ended as a standalone method on 30 September 2024, and Klarna moved its bank payments into Klarna Pay Now.
Their place is taken by Wero, open banking pay by bank, Klarna and SEPA direct debit. Remove both logos from your checkout: a dead button fails at the moment a shopper wants to pay.
What should a merchant check before selling to Germany?
German shoppers expect a choice of at least PayPal and a pay later option, a clear returns flow, and checkout text in German. Direct debit needs a valid SEPA mandate and handling of returns, and invoice payments need a provider that accepts your sector and basket sizes.
- Offer PayPal, invoice or BNPL, direct debit and cards as a baseline.
- Remove giropay and Sofort and consider Wero and pay by bank.
- Plan for returns: invoice and BNPL refunds go back through the provider.
- Show prices in EUR including VAT.
How do you offer German payment methods through OrsunPay?
OrsunPay is a payment orchestration platform: you keep your own contracts with licensed providers (for example Stripe, Adyen or Worldpay), and OrsunPay is not a payment institution, acquirer or merchant of record and does not hold or transmit funds. Through OrsunPay you can offer PayPal, invoice and BNPL, SEPA direct debit, cards and Wero by connecting providers that support them, show them in the hosted checkout and payment links, and route each payment by country, currency and method. For OrsunPay pricing, see the pricing page at /pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is giropay still available in Germany?
No. Giropay was discontinued on 30 June 2024, and Sofort as a standalone method on 30 September 2024. Use Wero, pay by bank, Klarna or SEPA direct debit instead.
What is the most popular online payment method in Germany?
PayPal, with 28.7% of German online retail turnover in 2025, followed by invoice purchases with 26.1% (EHI Online-Payment 2026).
Do German shoppers use credit cards online?
Yes, but less than in most markets: cards had 13.7% of online retail turnover in 2025 according to EHI.
Is Wero available for online shops in Germany?
Yes. Wero has been available for German e-commerce since November 2025, through payment providers that support it.
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Talk to our teamSources
- EHI Retail Institute: Online-Payment 2026 study, press release (checked 2 November 2026)
- PayPal Help Center: giropay deprecation (checked 2 November 2026)
- Mollie Support: SOFORT deprecation, 30 September 2024 (checked 2 November 2026)
- Mollie: what is Wero, fees and disputes for merchants (Austria) (checked 2 November 2026)
- European Payments Council: SEPA Direct Debit (checked 2 November 2026)