Here in my small German town that I am living in. Shops that accepts debit cards only made an appearances about 15 years ago. Before that, cash is the only way.
Credit cards are still very much not in vogue in my town. Actually, even in larger shops like Ikea, credit cards are not accepted.
That mirrors my impression as well - here in Germany credit cards just became mildly common but customers are still far from being expected to carry one. Debit cards however, are very common, however they won't help you when getting a beer at sunday league football or visiting the local bakery.
>Debit cards however, are very common,
Agree. Sadly most of the times the stores are only accepting the shitty domestic "girocard" scheme and not international brands of debit crds.
>visiting the local bakery.
Kamps usually accepts credit cards, even contactless.
Must be quite rare then, the Ikeas in Köln (x2), Düsseldorf, Essen are still sans credit card. The ones just over the border in Holland do accept credit cards.
Credit cards are still very much not in vogue in my town. Actually, even in larger shops like Ikea, credit cards are not accepted.