Payment in instalments¹ | Europe’s new consumer phenomenon

Payment in 3 or 4 instalments: new financing solution

The FLOA-Kantar study shows that more and more consumers are opting for payment in 3 or 4 instalments and deferred payment. Today, these solutions are used by 43% of Europeans, representing an increase of 8 points compared to the 2021 study which put this rate at 35%.

Payment preferences according to country

The study also reveals notable disparities in payment habits across Europe:

• In France, Spain, and Portugal, payment in 3 or 4 instalments is particularly popular, with nearly one-third of individuals (32%) using it regularly.


• In Germany and Austria, consumers prefer deferred payment, with over half (59.5%) regularly using this method. These countries have surpassed Belgium and Portugal, which were among the largest users of deferred payment in 2021.

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) 

In the face of rising inflation, 44% of the surveyed Europeans are considering using payment in 3 or 4 instalments to help manage their budget. This trend is particularly pronounced in France (55%), Spain (58%), and Italy (62%).

Buy Now Pay Later solutions, including payment in instalments¹, are becoming go-to options for dealing with unforeseen expenses, such as the purchase of household appliances (39%) or home-related expenses (31%). They also provide a means of “treating oneself” to high-tech products (38%) or travel (35%).

While this FLOA-Kantar study shows disparities in usage among countries, it also demonstrates that Europeans are embracing these payment solutions, which, in turn, are meeting increasingly specific expectations.