Pubs and nightclubs lead the cashless shift to contactless payments
The shift away from cash payments is most pronounced in Ireland’s nighttime economy. Nine in ten purchases (90%) in pubs, bars, and nightclubs processed are now completed via contactless payment. Only 5% of transactions in pubs and nightclubs in 2026 were made using cash.
In fact, 83% of all Irish payments in 2026 were contactless, up from 80% in 2024, according to data from Clover, Fiserv’s point-of-sale payments platform.
The figures showcase how Irish consumers are prioritising quick and convenient methods of paying at the counter, with only 11% of transactions made with chip and pin, and 5% of transactions made using cash, a drop of 20% since 2024.
Four out of five retail purchases now tapped
A similar pattern can be seen across the retail sector, where four out of five purchases (81%) are now made using contactless payments. Cash, meanwhile, accounted for just 3.3% of retail transactions.
The data also points to a clear distinction between everyday and higher-value retail spending. While contactless accounts for 81% of retail transactions, the average non-contactless card transaction was €203.09 in 2026, compared with €28.89 for contactless.
Consumers increasingly tapping for larger purchases
While contactless has long dominated lower-value transactions, Irish consumers are increasingly using it for larger purchases. Contactless payments now account for nearly half (49%) of all transactions between €50 and €100, up from 38% in 2024.
Even for purchases over €100, contactless adoption has increased significantly. More than one in three transactions (35%) in the €100+ category are now made using contactless, up from 24% in 2024.
The average physical-card contactless transaction has also risen by more than a fifth since 2024, from €16.20 to €19.79.
Lara Byrne, senior vice president, Direct Merchant Business at Fiserv said: “Our Clover data highlights the extent to which digital payments are now embedded in everyday consumer behaviour across Ireland.
“Consumers increasingly expect seamless, secure payment experiences, while businesses need technology that helps them meet those expectations efficiently and at scale.
“With more than 80% of retail purchases and almost 90% of pub transactions now made using contactless payments, it’s clear that convenience has become the norm. Clover is helping merchants adapt to that shift by combining payment acceptance with the tools they need to operate, manage and grow their businesses.”
