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That's how it works in Europe (SEPA mandate) and it doesn't appear to be a problem.

In Germany, very few people have credit cards, and mostly for online purchases. Everything else is done via direct debit. Fraudulent charges can be reversed just like a CC payment.

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I think, I am living in different Germany, as for last 4-5 years, I only see oma/opa paying in cash. Everyone else carries one form or another of EC Karte or Debit Master/Visa. I rarely see some Gebuhrenfreis now and then, but most people have somekind of Debit ones.

Even certain kebab/doner shops located near bahnhofs now accept cards, but inner area ones are still cash-only. Most asian shops are generally cash-only sadly.

Are you talking about the Girocard (EC-Karte) system? Because there's also a lot of direct debit cards around that are all Mastercard/Visa branded.

It's true though that using "real" credit cards is relatively uncommon.

Yes, Girocard. Much lower fees. EC card is actually an older system that isn't really used anymore but the name stuck :-)

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