QR payments are taking off in small business

The healthcare sector has embraced this new method of paying for goods and services via QR codes the most. This is shown by VÚB Bank’s statistics, less than a month after the introduction of the requirement to accept cashless payments for purchases over one euro.

Since the beginning of May this year, QR codes have become a new alternative for merchants who do not use point-of-sale (POS) terminals to accept cashless payments. QR payments are particularly suitable for small business owners who handle a smaller number of transactions or wish to opt for a more cost-effective solution.

As of May 26, 2026, according to VÚB data, medical clinics were by far the most common profession using QR codes for customer payments. Specialists and general practitioners accounted for 15 percent of transactions made using this method. Dental practices also ranked among the top ten professions. Together with doctors, they accounted for 18 percent of all QR transactions.

The top ten (according to NACE—the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities) also included hairdressing, beauty, and barber services; repair and maintenance of motor vehicles; accounting and auditing services; spa services; lawyers; and non-specialized retail.

“According to data from VÚB Bank, the new requirement to accept cashless payments has primarily affected small business owners and sole proprietors—merchants and service providers who previously operated mainly on a cash basis—such as market vendors, small-scale artisans, mobile doctors, and seasonal stall operators,” says Dávid Pagáč, head of the small business segment development department at VÚB Bank.

VÚB Bank’s advisors and payment solutions specialists guide business owners through the entire process—from selecting an available and proven solution, through its technical setup, to activation and training. They also provide advice on important issues such as connection stability, system reliability, and compatibility with the business owners’ existing equipment.