The digital euro will also be tested in Estonia: how payments in stores and e-commerce will be trialed
The digital euro will not be introduced yet — it will be tested
What is the digital euro?
The digital euro, or digital euro currency, would be the euro in digital form, created by the European Central Bank. Put simply, it would be a new electronic payment method that people could use to pay in shops, online stores, for services and to each other.
The digital euro is neither cryptocurrency nor a new form of private money. It would be central bank money, like cash, but in digital form. The European Central Bank's aim is not to eliminate cash, but to offer people and businesses an additional way to pay in a situation where more and more transactions are taking place digitally.
The digital euro, or digital euro currency, is moving into the next practical phase. The European Central Bank has selected 36 payment service providers to take part in the digital euro pilot. The pilot project is expected to begin in the second half of 2027 and last 12 months.
An important detail for Estonia is that the pilot will also take place in Estonia. According to the European Central Bank, the test will be conducted at the European Central Bank and at the central banks of 19 euro area countries, including Estonia.
This does not mean that the digital euro will be officially introduced in Estonia yet. This is a pilot aimed at testing the beta version in real-life payment situations: how payments work in shops, cafés, service locations, between people and in e-commerce.
For businesses, this is an important signal. Not because point-of-sale systems need to be replaced immediately, but because future payment methods will affect very practical matters: cash registers, terminals, online payments, refunds, staff training and customer trust.
What the ECB wants to test in the pilot
According to the European Central Bank, the pilot will use a beta version of the digital euro. The aim is to check whether the system is reliable, user-friendly and scalable.
The pilot will test, among other things:
- payments at physical points of sale;
- payments at service locations, such as cafés or providers of everyday services;
- e-commerce payments;
- mobile payments;
- peer-to-peer payments;
- possible online and offline scenarios;
- merchants’ readiness to accept digital euro payments;
- the technical and operational readiness of payment service providers.
This means that the digital euro will not remain just a theory or a test of internal banking systems. It is intended to be tested in situations similar to an ordinary customer’s everyday payment experience.
Who is taking part in the pilot
The European Central Bank selected 36 payment service providers from across the euro area for the pilot. They include both banks and payment solution companies.
Some service providers will help users access the digital euro’s beta services during the pilot. Others will focus on merchants, namely how businesses can accept digital euro payments.
Employees of euro area central banks and selected merchants will also take part in the pilot. The ECB has cited everyday situations as examples, such as paying at a café or for a service.
The exact list of specific locations and merchants offering digital euro pilot services will be confirmed later. Therefore, it would not be correct to claim now that every Estonian shop, café or online store will be able to test the digital euro in 2027. A more accurate way to put it is: Estonia is among the countries in the pilot, and testing will involve selected participants.
Why this also matters to a small business
At first glance, it may seem that the digital euro is an issue for large banks and payment service providers. In fact, it ultimately concerns a very simple question: how a customer pays and how a business accepts that payment.
If the digital euro eventually enters wider use after the pilot, it could affect a wide variety of businesses:
- shops;
- cafés and restaurants;
- beauty salons;
- repair shops;
- independent professionals;
- online stores;
- service providers;
- event organisers;
- businesses that rely on bookings;
- sellers operating at markets and fairs.
This affects most of all those who already have several payment channels: in-person payment, advance payment, online payment, invoice, reservation, partial refund or cancellation.
1. Shop and service location: what might the payment look like
At a physical point of sale, the digital euro could in future work as an additional payment method alongside cash, card and mobile payments.
For example, a customer buys a product or pays for a service. At the checkout, they select digital euro payment. The payment can be made via a phone, card, app or another technical solution. The seller sees the confirmation, and the transaction is recorded in the point-of-sale system.
This raises very practical questions for a business:
- whether the existing terminal supports the new payment method;
- whether the payment is assigned to the right category at checkout;
- whether the employee sees the confirmation quickly enough;
- whether the payment works during periods of high customer traffic;
- how the receipt is issued;
- how to handle a failed or incomplete transaction.
This is not just a technical issue. If the payment process is slow or the employee does not know what to do, the customer experience gets worse.
2. Cafés and restaurants: speed is critical
In cafés, restaurants and fast-food establishments, payment speed is especially important. Customers do not want to wait, employees do not want confusion, and the queue must not get longer.
When the digital euro is tested in everyday service locations, one major question is whether the payment is simple and fast enough.
For a restaurant or café, important considerations include:
- whether payment can be made at the table or only at the checkout;
- whether the server sees the payment confirmation immediately;
- how to split the bill among several people;
- how tipping works;
- how to issue a refund if there was an error in the order;
- how to resolve a situation where the internet or terminal fails.
These may seem like small details, but they are precisely the details that determine whether a new payment method is usable in real life or not.
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3. E-commerce: a new payment option in the shopping cart
In the future, the digital euro may appear in e-commerce as a payment option in the shopping cart alongside card payments, bank links, payment links, or instalments.
For an online store, the most important questions are:
- how the digital euro payment is displayed in the shopping cart;
- whether the customer can pay on mobile just as easily as on a computer;
- whether payment confirmation reaches the online store immediately;
- how the order is confirmed automatically;
- how to issue a partial or full refund;
- how to handle canceled orders;
- how payment works if a customer abandons a purchase midway.
If the payment method is unclear to the customer, the purchase may be abandoned. Therefore, simply adding it technically is not enough. An online store must also consider explanations, the user experience, and the refund process.
4. Refunds: where the most disputes arise
When discussing new payment methods, companies usually talk about how to receive money. In reality, an equally important question is how to refund it.
For the digital euro, the following needs to be considered:
- whether the refund goes to the same digital euro wallet;
- how to make a partial refund;
- how to process a refund at the checkout;
- how to link a refund to the original purchase;
- what to do if the customer wants the money refunded using a different payment method;
- how quickly the customer sees the refund;
- how to resolve a dispute in the event of an incorrect or duplicate payment.
This is especially important for a small business. Customers do not think about the technical details of the payment system. What matters to them is that their money is transferred quickly and to the right place.
That is why it is worth reviewing your refund terms now. They should be visible on your website, in your online store, on your business profile, or in your service description.
A good general principle is:
Whenever possible, refunds should be made using the same payment method the customer originally used. The exact refund time depends on the payment service provider and the terms of the specific transaction.
5. Offline payments: why this may be interesting for Estonia
One important part of discussions about the digital euro is the possibility of offline payments. This means that, under certain conditions, a payment could also be made when there is no internet connection or it is temporarily disrupted.
In Estonia, this could be useful, for example, in:
- at markets;
- at outdoor events;
- at summer cafés;
- in tourist areas;
- in smaller settlements;
- for service providers who visit clients;
- in the event of temporary internet outages.
At the same time, it should not be thought of as an unlimited “always pay without internet” solution. Offline payments will likely require limits, security rules and subsequent synchronisation.
For a business, the main question is whether the payment is reliable enough to be used in practice even when the connection is less than ideal.
6. What should a business do now
The digital euro pilot does not mean that a business needs to invest in a new cash register or terminal right away. But it is a good time to review your payment processes.
Check which payment methods you currently offer
Can customers pay only in cash? Only by bank transfer? By card? Do you have an online payment option, a payment link or the option to pay in advance?
The more payment methods a business offers, the more important it is that they are clearly described.
Review your refund policy
If the refund policy is currently unclear, it is worth clarifying it before adding new payment methods.
Write it simply and clearly:
- when the money can be refunded;
- when refunds are not issued;
- whether a partial refund is possible;
- how booking cancellation works;
- how long a refund may take.
Ask your payment service provider about their readiness
If your business uses a terminal, an e-commerce payment solution or a point-of-sale system, it is worth keeping an eye on when the service provider starts sharing information about the digital euro.
Important questions include:
- will the system support the digital euro;
- will there be an additional fee;
- how refunds work;
- will the solution also work on mobile;
- is it suitable for a physical point of sale and an online store.
Train employees
If a new payment method is introduced at some point, employees must be able to answer customers’ questions. The guide does not have to be long, but it should be practical:
- how to initiate a payment;
- how to check for confirmation;
- what to do if an error occurs;
- how to process a refund;
- who to contact in the event of a technical problem.
7. Why should a service provider get its information in order now
Changes to payments affect more than just the terminal or the bank. They affect the entire customer journey.
Before getting in touch, customers want to know:
- what the company offers;
- how much the service costs;
- how to pay;
- whether a prepayment is required;
- what happens if you cancel;
- whether the company is trustworthy;
- how to get in touch quickly.
Easyfind can function like a small business page: a description, photos, video, PDF with prices or terms, company information, contact buttons, reviews and ratings. This helps customers make a decision faster and reduces questions before a purchase or booking.
If new payment methods are introduced in the future, the companies best positioned will be those whose service information and terms are already clear.
8. What you should definitely not claim
It is easy to exaggerate the digital euro issue. It is important for businesses to distinguish fact from speculation.
It is not correct to claim that the digital euro will be introduced in Estonia in 2027.
It is correct to say that a 12-month pilot involving Estonia is expected to begin in the second half of 2027.
It is not correct to claim that all Estonian shops and online stores will be able to test the digital euro.
It is correct to say that selected payment service providers, selected merchants and employees of euro area central banks will take part in the pilot.
It is not correct to claim that the digital euro will replace cash.
It is correct to say that the aim of the digital euro is to complement existing payment methods, not to eliminate cash.
It is not correct to claim that the digital euro will definitely be free for businesses.
It is correct to say that the final fees and terms depend on the legal framework, banks, payment service providers and the technical solution.
In summary: Estonian businesses do not need to panic, but they do need to keep an eye on
The digital euro pilot in Estonia does not mean an immediate change to everyday payments. It means that the digital euro will be tested in conditions similar to real life: in shops, service venues, e-commerce and person-to-person payments.
For businesses, the most important thing is to monitor how payment service providers’ solutions, support for cash register systems, e-shop integrations and refund policies are developing.
Small businesses do not need to make major investments at this time. However, it is worth getting payment information, refund policies, service descriptions and customer communications in order.
If the new payment method is ever adopted more widely, the businesses that will benefit are those that already have a clear and trustworthy customer journey today — from the listing and pricing information to payment, refunds and repeat enquiries.
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*Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this article. The content may contain inaccuracies or information that changes over time, so it is advisable to verify important details with official sources.
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