No. 87 - Who uses 'Buy Now, Pay Later' in Italy? Evidence from Household Survey Data
In recent years, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services have expanded rapidly across many countries, supported by growth in digital payments and a relatively permissive regulatory environment. This paper analyses the Italian BNPL market from a demand perspective, using granular data from the 2022 wave of Banca d'Italia's Survey on Household Income and Wealth. The findings show that BNPL adoption among Italian households was limited compared with other advanced economies and concentrated among younger, financially sound and more digitally savvy users. BNPL use was also mainly associated with payments made by credit and prepaid card, in line with the widespread use of these instruments for online purchases. The evidence further suggests that BNPL served primarily as a complement to, rather than a substitute for, traditional retail financial products, particularly revolving credit cards. These services may have expanded further since 2022, potentially reaching more financially vulnerable groups. The new European regulatory framework therefore aims to promote their responsible use while supporting innovation and consumer protection.
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08 September 2026
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