Two out of three respondents in Austria are already familiar with the digital euro, which is intended to be introduced as a complement to euro cash. However, Austrians remain rather reserved when it comes to the acceptance and perceived benefits of this planned payment alternative. These are the findings of a recent survey conducted by the Austrian Society for European Politics (ÖGfE).
Around two-thirds of respondents (67%) in the nationwide Austrian survey state that they have already heard of the digital euro. Just under three in ten (29%) had not been aware of it until now. Four percent did not provide an answer.
Men (79%) are more likely than women (56%) to say they are familiar with the digital euro. Awareness also increases with age—three-quarters of those over 50 have heard of it, compared to about half of those under 30. People with a preference for the FPÖ party (82%) and respondents who support leaving the EU (76%) are also more likely to report having heard of the digital euro.
From today’s perspective, 42% say they could imagine using the new payment option if it is introduced in the future (14% “definitely,” 28% “probably”). Half of the respondents are more skeptical, answering “probably not” (27%) or ruling it out entirely (23%). Eight percent are currently undecided.
Younger respondents are more likely to want to use the digital euro than older ones (up to age 29: 52% “definitely/probably,” over 70: 33%). Supporters of the EU are also more inclined to use it than those who favor leaving the EU (55% vs. 18%).
Three in ten respondents (29%) believe that a digital euro would strengthen Europe’s independence, while 49% do not share this view and 22% are unable to say.
The belief that the digital euro would increase Europe’s independence is particularly common among younger people and supporters of EU membership (both 40%). Among those who prefer leaving the EU, only 8% share this view.
Background:
The current survey was conducted by market on March 2-5, 2026, on behalf of ÖGfE. A total of 1,000 people across Austria were surveyed online.
Sample: Austrian population aged 16 to 80, representative in terms of age, gender, region, and education. Maximum margin of error is ±3.16 percent. Totals may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding. Missing values correspond to “don’t know / no answer.”
