Taxis insist on cash in Italy

Those taxi drivers are breaking the law. Before getting into the car, ask "carta?" and if they say no, find another taxi. Also, any other transaction, such as a guide's services, if it exceeds 60 euro must include the option to pay by card. The people you describe are tax cheats. Do not support them by paying cash. It's not something Italy can fix if tourists don't pitch in too.

i suppose it all depends on one's style of traveling. i don't take taxis, or eat at restaurants with waiters or engage guides. my financial transactions are almost always with train and bus companies, supermarkets, coffee shops, and museums & monuments. all of these accept credit cards. i have encountered a few cafes and farmer's market vendors that wanted to be paid in cash. i think covid made contactless terminals universal. looking at the last 4 years of my travels i took out about $500 worth of euros in 2022. i barely spent a 100 over 35 days. last year (60 days) was about the same and this year (40 days) a little bit more. i think i still have 150 left over.

We returned from Italy a couple of weeks ago. Before heading to Italy, I had read posts on this forum that taxis are required to take credit cards and to ask the driver ahead of time if the credit card machine is working. We did this in all of the cities we visited including Rome, Florence, and Venice and did use our credit card and were given a receipt as well. While a few of the drivers let us know ahead of time that they would rather take cash, they assured us they had a cc machine and even showed it to us. No one refused us a ride when we told them we would be using a CC. I would just say to let the driver know before you get in the cab that you will be paying by CC.

When someone tells you he doesn't accept credit card, simply answer "sorry, we have no cash". Keep in the wallet maybe 10/20 euros (and if you have more well hidden) and show him the empty pocket. He can choose: credit card or 10€ only!
You will discover that the ATM for credit card immediately appears, like for magic!

As others are telling, now in Italy everybody must accept a payment by credit card, doesn't matter the amount.
The amount of transaction fees you pay to your bank for CC payment is true, but is so low that makes no sense in refuse that form of payment.

There isn’t even a €60 limit anymore. Acceptance of digital payment is required for any amount. Tell them ahead of time you have no cash and intend to pay with credit card and the POS machine will magically start working.

However get some cash for minor purchases. Sometimes it’s just as convenient just to use cash to purchase an espresso (€1.20) or a glass of sparkling water (1€), and especially to enter a public restroom which often requires 1€ coin.

I did all of the things you all suggest (telling them we didn’t have cash, etc. all good suggestions) and was refused a cab 3 times, once in Positano and twice in Capri. We use mass transit too but in those two locations the options are limited and the taxi drivers know it. It has been our experience that in most other countries cashless works beautifully which is why it was such a surprise to have this challenge in Italy on this visit. We have been to Italy several times so this was a significant change from our previous experiences. If they are breaking Italian law there is obviously no enforcement. Thanks for all the replies.

That is correct. In Italy there is little enforcement of any laws. And the taxi lobby is very powerful too, that is why Uber was basically banned and fares are high (licenses are limited and when municipalities want to award more the existing taxi drivers go on strike until the Citi Councils buckle.
That is why Italians hate taxi drivers more than lawyers and used cars dealers. Ask any Italian how much tip you should leave a taxi driver and you will hear their answer.

That’s interesting. In May, I took three taxis in Lecce, Rome and Sulmona. I asked them, “ Pagare con la carta di credito?” and they all replied positively - no issues.