European Payment Report 2019

The European Payment Report 2019 provides insights from 11,856 companies across 29 countries in Europe. 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 in June 2019.

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Recession concerns on the rise

54% of European companies believe a recession is imminent within five years, with countries like Greece (93%) and Italy (84%) expressing the most concern. In contrast, Austria (23%) and Germany (31%) showed more optimism about their economic future.

Late payments continue to increase

Companies across Europe report a rise in average payment times, with businesses taking 40 days on average to pay bills, compared to 34 days in 2018. Late payments are causing liquidity issues for 30% of companies, limiting growth for 23%.

Preditction of a cashless society within 10 years

Nearly half of European businesses (48%) predict their country will become cashless within a decade. Greece (67%), Ireland (63%), and Romania (63%) are the most optimistic, while Serbia (18%) and Estonia (22%) are more sceptical.

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.

European Payment Report 2023

The report is based on a survey that was conducted simultaneously in 29 European countries between the end of November 2022 and March 2023. A total of 10,556 companies across 15 industries in Europe participated in the research.

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.

European Payment Report 2022

Discover key findings from the European Payment Report 2022, covering the impact of inflation, cash flow management, and the importance of ESG in business payment practices. Learn how European companies are navigating economic uncertainty.

European Payment Report 2021

Discover the key findings from the European Payment Report 2021, including the impact of late payments on business growth, cash flow management, and how faster payments drive innovation and sustainability.

European Payment Report 2020

Discover key insights from the European Payment Report 2020, including the rising risk of late payments, widening payment gaps, and business strategies to cut costs and prepare for recession in an uncertain economic landscape.

European Consumer Payment Report 2018

The European Consumer Payment Report 2018 reveals the financial realities faced by 24,000 consumers across Europe. While many have experienced improved financial situations amidst rising economic confidence, significant numbers continue to struggle with tight budgets and increasing debt levels. This report sheds light on the duality of the European economic landscape and highlights the urgent need for enhanced financial education.

European Payment Report 2017

The European Payment Report 2017 explore the challenges faced by SMEs and large corporations, and learn about regional differences in payment practices across Europe.

White Paper 2023: Power and Utility industry

While profits may be up in the energy sector, higher taxes, increased regulation and exposure to consumer problems make it vulnerable as we move further into 2023. In addition, these businesses face the long-term challenges of sustainability and mitigating their sector’s environmental impact.

European Payment Report 2016

The European Payment Report 2016 finds that by alleviating the burden of late payments, European businesses can hire more, grow faster, and ensure long-term survival

European Payment Report 2015

The European Payment Report 2015 explore the effects of late payments on businesses and understand the steps needed to improve payment practices across Europe.

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