The time has come from January 1, 2022. Then there will be a new upper limit for cash in Italy. Instead of the previous 2000 euros, you can only pay with a maximum of 1000 euros in cash. Any amounts in excess of this must be paid either by bank transfer, check or card. The minimum fine for a violation is 2000 euros, but it can increase to 50,000 euros. This regulation is intended to make tax evasion more difficult. Liberal politicians, consumer and data protectionists criticize this plan sharply.
In the fight against tax evasion, the shadow economy and money laundering, the government around Prime Minister Mario Draghi wants to strongly promote electronic payment systems. She tries to implement a so-called “cashless plan”. This means that digital payment transactions are to be used more and more frequently.