Financial Repression Tracker

Rules that steer savings into government debt or hold returns below inflation, country by country.

Block · Real asset restrictions

Limits on cash payments

What it is
Prohibit cash settlement above a threshold, often aggregating instalments and imposing penalties on both payer and recipient. Separate limits can apply to business transactions, wages, taxes and property conveyances.
Why it counts
Restricting cash's usefulness channels balances and payments into regulated institutions, making escape from deposit-rate or withdrawal policies harder.

When it was in force

  • Spain: 2012 → now, in force
  • France: 2026 → now, in force; the rule may be older than the cited document

2 examples

  1. Spain

    2012 → nowIn force

    As cited: 2021-present €1,000 threshold; earlier limits from 2012

    Transactions involving a business or professional generally cannot be paid in cash at €1,000 or above.

    Law 11/2021, article eighteenth, amending Law 7/2012, article 7Primary source
    “No podrán pagarse en efectivo las operaciones, en las que alguna de las partes intervinientes actúe en calidad de empresario o profesional”

    boe.es (opens in a new tab)Checked: quote matched on the page by script

    Spain today: index 48.0

  2. France

    2026 → nowIn force

    The rule may be older than the cited document · As cited: Current EUR 1,000 business-payment ceiling

    Cash payments to or between professionals are generally limited to €1,000, with exceptions.

    Code monétaire et financier, articles L112-6 and D112-3Primary source
    “Le paiement en espèces d'un particulier à un professionnel ou entre professionnels est limité à 1 000 €.”

    service-public.gouv.fr (opens in a new tab)Checked: quote matched on the page by script

    France today: index 54.6

Examples and their dates reviewed .