Installment payments for major online purchases are growing increasingly popular in Germany. According to a survey conducted by the comparison portal Verivox, which was reported by Der Spiegel, approximately one in seven respondents would prefer to pay for a €1,000 online purchase in installments. This figure was around nine percent in 2024, based on the participation of about 1,000 individuals aged 18 to 79.
Oliver Maier, CEO of Verivox, noted that it is now common practice for many people to pay for online items over an extended period using partial payments. This option is particularly appealing to those with lower incomes; nearly one in four people earning less than €2,000 net reported being willing to finance a significant purchase online using credit.
However, consumer protection advocates are expressing concern over this rising trend, warning that numerous small payments could quickly accumulate into a substantial debt. To better protect consumers, new credit regulations are scheduled to take effect in November, one of which mandates a mandatory creditworthiness check.
