Payment Methods in Europe: A 2025 Guide for E-Commerce Businesses

Are you losing European customers at checkout because your e-commerce site doesn’t support their favorite payment methods? In 2025, Europe’s payment landscape is more diverse and digital than ever. If you want to win trust, boost conversions, and expand your business across borders, you need to offer the payment options your customers expect no matter where they shop from.

I’m Riten, founder of Fueler, a platform that helps companies hire skilled professionals through assignment-based portfolios. In this article, I’ll break down the most important payment methods in Europe for 2025, explain how each works, and show you how to choose the right mix for your online store. But remember, it’s not just about accepting payments—it’s about how you present your payment process, build trust, and showcase your ability to adapt to new markets. Your flexibility at checkout is your shortcut to credibility and growth in European e-commerce.

Credit and Debit Cards

Credit and debit cards remain the backbone of online payments in Europe. Visa, Mastercard, and increasingly local cards like Cartes Bancaires in France or Girocard in Germany are widely used. Card payments are fast, familiar, and supported by nearly every e-commerce platform. They also offer strong consumer protections, which builds trust.

• Accepted by most online stores and payment gateways
• Support for recurring billing and subscriptions
• Enhanced security with 3D Secure and biometric verification
• Easy refunds and chargebacks for customers

Why it matters: Supporting major credit and debit cards ensures you don’t miss out on the majority of European shoppers who expect a seamless, secure card checkout experience.

Digital Wallets

Digital wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Klarna are rapidly gaining popularity in Europe. They allow customers to pay with just a few clicks, often without entering card details. Many wallets also offer “buy now, pay later” options, which can increase average order value and reduce cart abandonment.

• Fast, one-click checkout experience
• Mobile-friendly and widely trusted by consumers
• Integration with loyalty programs and rewards
• Support for multiple currencies and cross-border payments

Why it matters: Offering digital wallets makes checkout easier and faster, which is crucial for capturing impulse buys and appealing to mobile-first shoppers.

Bank Transfers and Open Banking

Bank transfers are especially popular in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the Nordics. Solutions like iDEAL (Netherlands), Sofort/Klarna (Germany), and Trustly (Nordics) allow customers to pay directly from their bank accounts. Open banking APIs are making these transfers even more secure and instant.

• Real-time payments with instant confirmation
• Lower transaction fees compared to cards
• High trust in regions where bank transfers are the norm
• Suitable for both B2C and B2B transactions

Why it matters: Supporting local bank transfer methods helps you reach customers who prefer not to use cards or wallets, increasing your conversion rates in key European markets.

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

BNPL services like Klarna, Afterpay, and PayPal Pay Later are booming in Europe. They let customers split payments into installments, making higher-value purchases more accessible. BNPL is especially popular with younger shoppers and in fashion, electronics, and travel sectors.

• Flexible payment plans with no upfront fees for customers
• Boosts average order value and conversion rates
• Instant approval and seamless integration at checkout
• Reduces risk for merchants, as providers pay you upfront

Why it matters: Adding BNPL options can give your business a competitive edge, especially among Gen Z and Millennial shoppers who value flexibility.

Local Payment Methods

Europe is a patchwork of local payment preferences. For example, Bancontact is big in Belgium, Przelewy24 in Poland, and Multibanco in Portugal. Adapting to these local favorites is key for cross-border success.

• Tailored solutions for specific countries or regions
• Builds trust with local customers by offering familiar options
• Often lower fees and higher acceptance rates than international methods
• Can be combined with global gateways for broader reach

Why it matters: Supporting local payment methods shows you understand your customers’ needs and are serious about serving them in their preferred way.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency payments are slowly gaining traction in some European markets, especially among tech-savvy and privacy-focused consumers. While still niche, accepting crypto can set your brand apart and attract a new segment of buyers.

• Fast, borderless transactions with low fees
• Appeals to early adopters and global shoppers
• Increasing support from major payment processors
• Can offer privacy and security benefits

Why it matters: Accepting crypto can future-proof your payment strategy and help you tap into new, growing markets.

Payment Gateways and Processors

Choosing the right payment gateway is crucial for managing all these options. Providers like Stripe, Adyen, Mollie, and Worldline offer unified platforms that support cards, wallets, bank transfers, and local methods, all with advanced security and analytics.

• Multi-currency and multi-method support in one integration
• Advanced fraud detection and PCI compliance
• Customizable checkout experiences
• Detailed reporting and reconciliation tools

Why it matters: A robust payment gateway ensures you can scale across Europe without technical headaches or security risks.

Pricing for Payment Solutions

Pricing varies depending on provider, volume, and region. Here’s a general overview for 2025:

• Stripe: 1.4% + €0.25 per European card, higher for non-European cards
• PayPal: 2.9% + €0.35 per transaction, with volume discounts
• Adyen: 0.6%–1.1% + €0.10 for European cards, local methods vary
• Mollie: 1.8% for cards, €0.29 for iDEAL and local options
• Klarna: 2.49% + €0.35 for BNPL transactions

Why it matters: Understanding payment processing costs helps you set prices, manage margins, and choose the best partners for your business.

Best Practices for European Payment Success

To maximize conversions and customer satisfaction, follow these best practices:

• Offer at least 3–5 payment options, including cards, wallets, and a local favorite
• Localize your checkout page with language and currency options
• Ensure strong security and compliance with PSD2 and GDPR
• Monitor payment data to spot trends and optimize your mix

Why it matters: Adopting best practices for payment methods ensures a smooth, trustworthy experience that keeps European customers coming back.

Showcasing Your E-Commerce Payment Expertise

If you want to stand out as an e-commerce leader, don’t just accept payments—showcase your results. With Fueler, you can build a portfolio of payment integration projects, highlighting conversion improvements, customer feedback, and technical solutions. This proves your expertise and helps you win new clients or roles in the fast-growing European market.

• Upload case studies with before-and-after conversion rates
• Share screenshots of localized checkout flows
• Highlight integration with local and global payment providers
• Make your portfolio easy for employers and partners to find

Why it matters: Demonstrating your payment integration skills with real results builds trust and opens doors to new opportunities in e-commerce.

Final Thought

In 2025, winning in European e-commerce means meeting your customers where they are—at the checkout. By offering the right mix of payment methods, optimizing your process, and showcasing your expertise, you can turn browsers into buyers and grow your business across borders.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the most popular payment methods in Europe for e-commerce in 2025?

Credit and debit cards, digital wallets, local bank transfers, and BNPL services are the most widely used payment methods.

2. How can I accept local payment methods in different European countries?

Work with payment gateways like Stripe, Adyen, or Mollie that support a wide range of local options through a single integration.

3. Is it necessary to support cryptocurrency payments in Europe?

While not essential for all businesses, accepting crypto can help attract tech-savvy and international customers.

4. How do payment processing fees compare between providers?

Fees vary, but expect 1.4%–2.9% per transaction for cards, and lower rates for local methods like iDEAL or Bancontact.

5. How can I prove my e-commerce payment expertise to employers or clients?

Build a portfolio on Fueler with real payment integration projects, conversion data, and customer feedback to showcase your results.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talents for their organization based on their proof of work.

You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

Sign up for free on Fueler or get in touch to learn more.