European Payment Report 2025

The European Payment Report (EPR) 2025 is based on insights from 9,150 executives across 25 European countries. The report provides insights into the payment behaviours of European businesses and examines trends related to late payments, invoice payment practices, and overall financial risk. The report was published April 2025.

Download the full report

Businesses are prioritising on growth plans

Executives are anxious about their prospects amid volatile economic conditions. Nonethless, appetite for growth remains resilient – for now – following a period in which most met or beat their sales and revenue expectations.

Executives are confronting their late-payment frustrations

Year on year, executives have become more dissatisfied with the payment terms they have in place with their customers and clients. At the same time, we calculate that 11 per cent of revenues are paid late to businesses every year.

AI is a growing force in payments management

Companies are excited about the potential of AI to make payments more efficient, but few are using the technology to its full potential. Many are held back by fear of change and concerns that do not stand up to scrutiny.

European Payment Report 2025: Intrum's CEO comments on main findings

CEO comment: Resilient ambitions for growth

After years of high inflation and tight monetary policy, companies had reason to believe that 2025 would be the year economic momentum finally took off. However, in recent months, a fresh wave ofuncertainty has hit Europe. Intrum’s European Payment Report 2025 reveals that AI can play a critical role in economic recovery urgently needed across Europe.

Late payments are putting 10 million businesses at risk

Our study shows that without improved economic conditions, up to 10 million European businesses face potential closure within two years if macro economic conditions don't improve – threatening potentially 40 million jobs. Late payments are a key driver of this risk, draining liquidity and limiting SMEs’ ability to invest and grow.

AI is gaining traction, but uptake remains uneven

Nearly six in ten (58 per cent) businesses believe AI will significantly improve late payment management in 2025 – up from 50 per cent last year. Yet few apply AI in customer interactions. This overlooks a shift in preferences among younger consumers, many of whom prefer the neutrality of bots over humans when discussing payment issues.

Download the EPR 2025

Insights on payment behaviour

Download the report

Other editions of the report:

European Payment Report 2024

The 2024 report is based on insights from 9,255 executives across 25 European countries. This years' findings shows corporate cost-cutting at a four-year high despite growing economic optimism. Businesses are losing more than a quarter of the working year (73 working days) chasing late payments.

Country Snapshots White Paper 2023

The Country Snapshots White Paper provides detailed country-specific insights on payment behaviors across Europe. Discover how inflation, payment gaps, and sustainability challenges vary between regions, offering an in-depth supplement to the main European Payment Report.