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Share of individuals who own a credit card in Europe in 2021, by country

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Source

Release date

June 2022

Region

Europe

Survey time period

August to November 2021

Number of respondents

approx. 1,000 per country

Age group

15 years and older

Special properties

Entire civilian, noninstitutionalized population; The figures shown are from a global survey held every 3 years. The data for 2021 (released in June 2022) is the most recent available, as the source excluded high-income countries for 2024 (released in July 2025).

Method of interview

Face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews

Supplementary notes

The questions were phrased by the source as follows:

  1. "A credit card is a card that allows you to BORROW money in order to make payments or buy things, and you can pay the balance off later. Do you, personally, have a credit card?" 
  2. "In the PAST 12 MONTHS, have you, personally, used your credit card?"
  3. "In the PAST 12 MONTHS, have you, personally, used your credit card to pay for a purchase IN a store?"

Citation formats

Credit card penetration in 42 countries in Europe 2021

Published by ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Research Department, Jun 13, 2024

In 2021, the share of the adult population in European countries varied between eight percent in Albania to as high as ** percent in Norway. Using a credit card allows the cardholder to pay for goods and services with the agreed promise to the card issuer that they will repay the amount borrowed either in installments or as a single payment. In Europe, the credit card is a less popular payment choice as compared to the debit card.

Two horse race

In Europe, there are two main credit card providers. Between Visa and Mastercard they make up over 90 percent of the purchase volume market share across Europe. In total, there are over *** million payment cards across the continent.

Credit card transaction value

When it comes to usage, there is one European country that is far more excepting of getting out the credit card. In 2017, the United Kingdom saw well over 190 billion euros in credit card transactions. This was more than *** time the amount spent in France.

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Statistics on " Payments in Europe "

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Other statistics that may interest you Payments in Europe

Cash(less)

6

(Credit) cards

6

Alternative payment methods (APMs)

8

Remittances

6

Issuers, acquirers, gateways

6

Outlook

4

Cross-border payments

6

Miscellaneous

5

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Topics

Digital payments trends across EuropeMobile payments with digital walletsDigital payments landscape in Sweden Digital payments landscape in FranceCBDC (Central Bank Digital Currencies)
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