Across Europe, 3 in 10 consumers say they were late paying at least one bill in 2026. In Greece, the figure stands at 37%, four percentage points higher than in 2025, according to Intrum’s European Consumer Payment Report.
This year’s report surveyed 20,000 consumers across 20 countries between July 9 and August 20, 2026.
Over the past six months, 56% of consumers borrowed money or used a credit card to pay their bills. In Greece, the figure stands at 60% this year.
In 2026, a growing share of consumers are turning to borrowing due to rising energy prices and inflation.
More flexible payment methods, such as “buy now, pay later,” are also gaining ground, with 4 in 10 Europeans using them. Beyond modern forms of credit, Europeans are also considering a return to more traditional payment arrangements. According to the report, they say they are more likely to buy from small businesses and retailers and pay in installments.
Meanwhile, many consumers have been forced to borrow money to pay their bills, as rising energy prices and inflation have increasingly squeezed Europeans’ incomes since February.
Source: Kathimerini
