Apple Pay: All your questions answered

UK

On July 13, 2015, Apple Pay expanded beyond the United States for the first time, launching in the United Kingdom. As in the U.S., Visa, MasterCard, and American Express all supported Apple Pay at launch. UK Banks supporting Apple Pay at launch included MBNA, Nationwide, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, and Ulster Bank. First Direct, HSBC, Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank, Metro Bank, The Co-Operative Bank, Starling Bank, and digital banking service B added support at a later date.

Apple has a list of all the UK banks that support Apple Pay on its UK Apple Pay site. Most of the major banks in the country support the payments service, including holdout Barclays, which began accepting Apple Pay in April after a long delay.

More than 250,000 locations in support Apple Pay, ranging from fast food places like KFC and McDonald’s to shops like Boots, Marks & Spencer, and Waitrose. A full list of retail shops and apps that accept Apple Pay can be found on Apple’s website. Many UK-based apps are also accepting Apple Pay, like Zara, TopShop, Five Guys, Hotel Tonight, Miss Selfridge, and more.

British territories Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Jersey also support Apple Pay.

Australia

Apple Pay became available in November of 2015 through a partnership with American Express, allowing American Express cardholders to use Apple Pay at any retailer that accepts contactless payments, but later Visa, Mastercard, and eftpos began supporting Apple Pay. In April of 2016, Apple Pay expanded to ANZ, the first of Australia’s four major banks to implement Apple Pay support.

At launch, Australia’s Commonwealth Bank (CBA), Westpac, and NAB attempted to engage in collective bargaining with Apple in an effort to force Apple to open up the iPhone’s NFC capabilities to support other digital wallets, but the attempt was blocked by the Australian government and as of April 2020, all of the four major banks in Australia support Apple Pay.

Through a partnership with Cuscal, Apple Pay is also available at more than 31 small banks and credit unions, making it available to four million Australians who are customers of those financial institutions. ING Direct and Macquarie have also implemented Apple Pay support, as have HSBC and Bendigo. In April of 2018, Citibank added Apple Pay support in Australia.

A list of retailers that officially support Apple Pay in Australia can be found on the Australian Apple Pay website.

Canada

Apple Pay launched in Canada in November of 2015 through an American Express partnership, allowing American Express cardholders in Canada to use Apple Pay at any retailer that accepts contactless payments.

After debuting through the American Express partnership in 2015, Apple Pay in Canada expanded to two major Canadian banks, RBC and CIBC, on May 10, 2016. Apple Pay further expanded to Canada Trust, Scotiabank, BMO, Tangerine, and MBNA, and with all major Canadian banks accepting Apple Pay, the payments service is available 90 percent of Canadian banking customers.

A list of participating retailers and banks in Canada is available on Apple’s Canadian Apple Pay website.

China

Apple Pay launched in China on February 18, 2016, through a partnership with China UnionPay, China’s state-run interbank network. China UnionPay card holders with an eligible debit or credit card can use their cards at any location that has a UnionPay-compatible point-of-sale system available. Apple has signed deals with 19 of the biggest lenders in China, making 80 percent of credit and debit cards in China eligible for use with Apple Pay.

Hong Kong

Apple Pay launched in Hong Kong on July 20, 2016, with support for Visa, MasterCard, and American Express debit and credit cards issued by Hang Seng Bank, Bank of China (Hong Kong), DBS Bank (Hong Kong), HSBC, Standard Chartered, Citibank, and directly from American Express. BEA and Tap & Go began accepting Apple Pay shortly after in August of 2016.

Apple Pay retailers in Hong Kong include 7-Eleven, Apple, Colourmix, KFC, Lane Crawford, Mannings, McDonald’s, Pacific Coffee, Pizza Hut, Sasa, Senryo, Starbucks, ThreeSixty, and everywhere else contactless payments are accepted.

Macau

Apple Pay launched in Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China, in August 2019. Apple Pay in Macau works with Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU) and UnionPay International Hong Kong Branch (UPI).

Singapore

Apple Pay launched in Singapore in April of 2016 through a partnership with American Express. Apple Pay support later expanded to encompass Visa, American Express, and Mastercard credit and debit cards issued by POSB, DBS, OCBC, Standard Chartered, UOB, HSBC, and Citibank. Apple Pay is now available to more than 80 percent of Visa and Mastercard cardholders in the country.

A list of retail locations where Apple Pay is accepted can be found on Apple’s Singapore website.

Switzerland

Apple Pay expanded to Switzerland on July 7. Apple Pay is available for MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards issued by Bonus Card, Cornèr Bank, Swiss Bankers, and UBS.

Apple Pay is accepted at many retailers in Switzerland, including ALDI SUISSE, Apple, Avec, Hublot, K Kiosk, Lidl, Louis Vuitton, Mobilezone, Press & Books, SPAR, TAG Heuer, and everywhere else contactless payments are accepted.

France

Apple Pay expanded to France on July 18, 2016. MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards issued by Banque Populaire, Ticket Restaurant, Carrefour Banque, Caisse d’Epargne, BNP Paribas, HSBC Bank, Vivid Money, and more are available for use with Apple Pay in the country.

As listed on the Apple Pay France website, Apple Pay is available at a wide range of retailers like Bocage, Le Bon Marché, Cojean, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fnac, Sephora, Flunch, Parkeon, Pret, and more.

Japan

Apple Pay became available in Japan on October 24, 2016. Apple Pay in Japan works with credit and debit cards issued by American Express, Visa, JCB, Mastercard, Aeon Financial, Orico, Credit Saison, SoftBank, d Card, View Card, MUFG Card, APLUS, EPOS, JACCS, Cedyna, POCKETCARD, Life, and more.

Suica and PASMO transit systems are compatible with Apple Pay and Express Transit mode in Japan, allowing users to pay for transit fares and other transactions with the iPhone or Apple Watch. Many retail locations, shops, restaurants, and other areas in Japan also support Apple Pay, with details on Apple’s Japanese Apple Pay website.

Russia

Apple pay expanded to Russia on October 4, 2016, with the payment service available for use with the following financial institutions: Tinkoff Bank, Bank Saint Petersburg, Raiffeisenbank, Yandex.Money, Alfa-Bank, MTS Bank, VTB 24, Rocketbank, MDM Bank, and Mir, Russia’s national payment system.

Participating retailers in the country include TAK, Magnit, Media Markt, Auchan, Azbuka Vkusa, bp, M.Video, TsUM and authorized Apple reseller re:Store. A full list is available on Apple’s Russian Apple Pay website.

Belarus

Apple Pay launched in Belarus on November 19, available to BPS Sberbank customers who have a Visa or Mastercard. BPS Sberbank is the Belarusian branch of PJSC Sberbank, a atate-owned Russian bank.

New Zealand

Apple Pay launched in New Zealand through a partnership with ANZ on October 12, 2016. Apple Pay initially only worked with credit and debit cards issued by ANZ, but BNZ added support in October of 2017. Westpac later began supporting Apple Pay in 2019.

Apple Pay is available at many locations in New Zealand, including McDonald’s, Domino’s, Glassons, K-Mart, Hallenstein Brothers, Stevens, Noel Leeming, Storm, and more, with a full list available on the Apple Pay New Zealand website.

Spain

Apple Pay launched in Spain on December 1, 2016. Apple Pay is available to American Express, CaixaBank, ImaginBank, ING, Banco de Santander customers, and credit and debit cards issued by Carrefour and Ticket Restaurant are also accepted.

A full list of Apple Pay retail partners and compatible apps is located on Apple’s Spanish website.

Ireland

Apple Pay expanded to Ireland in March of 2017. Apple Pay is available for Visa and MasterCard holders that bank with KBC, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, AIB, Permanent TSB, and more.

Participating retailers in Ireland include Aldi, Amber Oil, Applegreen, Boots, Burger King, Centra, Dunnes Stores, Harvey Norman, Lidl, Marks and Spencers, PostPoint, SuperValu, and more, with a full list of participating retailers available on the Irish Apple Pay website.

Taiwan

Apple Pay launched in Taiwan on March 28, 2017. Apple Pay is available to Visa and MasterCard holders who are customers of Cathay United Bank, CTBC Bank, E. Sun Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank, Taishin International Bank, and Union Bank of Taiwan.

A list of stores and websites that support Apple Pay in the country is available on Apple’s Taiwan Apple Pay website.

Italy

Apple Pay launched in Italy in May of 2017, following hints of an imminent launch for weeks. Apple Pay works with American Express cards issued by American Express, and Visa and MasterCards issued by Carrefour, UniCredit, Banca Mediolanum, ING, and others.

Apple Pay works in retail stores that accept contactless payments, with a list of partners available on Apple’s Italian Apple Pay website.

Denmark

Apple Pay launched in Denmark in October of 2017. Jyske Bank (Visa debit cards only), Arbejdernes Landsbank, Spar Nord, Nordea, and Danske Bank support Apple Pay in Denmark. Apple Pay payments are accepted wherever contactless payments are available, and a list of supported retailers and more information on Apple Pay can be found on Apple’s Apple Pay website in Denmark.

Finland

Apple Pay launched in Finland in October of 2017.In Finland, credit and debit cards from Nordea, Aktia, and ST1 work with Apple Pay. Apple Pay payments are accepted wherever contactless payments are available, and a list of supported retailers and more information on Apple Pay can be found on Apple’s Finland Apple Pay website.

Sweden

Apple Pay launched in Sweden in October of 2017. In Sweden, credit and debit cards from Nordea, Swedbank, and ST1 work with Apple Pay. Apple Pay payments are accepted wherever contactless payments are available, and a list of supported retailers and more information on Apple Pay can be found on Apple’s Apple Pay website in Sweden.

United Arab Emirates

Apple Pay launched in UAE in October of 2017. In the United Arab Emirates, several banks are supporting Apple Pay, including Emirates Islamic (Visa credit, debit, and prepaid cards), Emirates NBD, HSBC (Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards), mashreq, RAKBANK (Mastercard credit, debit, and prepaid cards), and Standard Chartered Bank.

Apple Pay payments are accepted wherever contactless payments are available, and a list of supported retailers and more information on Apple Pay can be found on Apple’s UAE Apple Pay website.

Brazil

Apple Pay expanded to Brazil in April of 2018 through a partnership with Brazilian bank Itaú Unibanco. Apple Pay can be used with credit and debit cards issued by Itaú Unibanco in retail stores where NFC payments are accepted and within apps.

Apple Pay in Brazil is acccepted in several retail stores, including Starbucks, Taco Bell, Cobasi, Bullguer, Fast Shop, and more, with a full list of locations available on Apple’s Apple Pay website in Brazil.

Ukraine

Apple Pay became available in Ukraine on May 17, 2018. The service works with credit and debit cards issued by PrivatBank at the current time, with Oschadbank planning to add support for Apple Pay in the future.

Poland

Apple Pay launched in Poland on June 18, 2018, and it works with Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards issued by the following banks: BGZ BNP Paribas, Bank Zachodni WBK, Alior Bank, Raiffeisen Polbank, Nest Bank, mBank, Bank Pekao, Bank Millennium, and Getin Bank.

Norway

Apple Pay launched in Norway on June 19, 2018, and it works with Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards from Nordea and Santander Consumer Finance.

Belgium

Apple Pay launched in Belgium in November 2018 through an exclusive partnership with BNP Paribas Fortis and its subsidiary brands Fintro and Hello Bank. Customers of these banks are able to use Apple Pay to make payments for purchases online, in apps, and in retail locations that support contactless payments. Apple Pay availability later expanded to KBC in 2020, and ING Belgium in 2021.

Kazakhstan

Apple Pay launched in Kazakhstan in November 2018. Apple Pay is available to Visa and Mastercard credit and debit card holders in Kazakhstan who bank with Eurasian Bank, Halyk Bank, ForteBank, Sberbank, Bank CenterCredit, and ATFBank.

Germany

Apple Pay launched in Germany on December 10, 2018, with the service available through American Express, Deutsche Bank, Viabuy, Consorsbank, Hanseatic Bank, HypoVereinsbank, Edenred, Comdirect, Fidor Bank, Sparkasse, Sparkassen-Card, Commerzbank, and mobile banks and payment services o2, N26, bunq, and VIMpay.

Apple Pay in Germany can be used at retailers that include Aldi, Burger King, Lidl, McDonalds, MediaMarkt, Pull&Bear, Shell, Starbucks, Vapiano, and many more locations, as listed on Apple’s Apple Pay site for Germany.

Saudi Arabia

Apple Pay launched in Saudi Arabia on February 19, 2019. It is available for Visa and Mastercard holders that bank with Al Rajhi Bank, NCB, MADA, Riyad Bank, Alinma Bank, and Bank Aljazira.

A list of locations where Apple Pay can be used in Saudi Arabia is available on the Apple Pay website for Saudi Arabia.

Czech Republic

Apple Pay launched in the Czech Republic on February 19, 2019. Apple Pay in the country works with Air Bank, Česká spořitelna, J&T Banka, Komerční banka, MONETA Money Bank, mBank, and payments service Twisto.

A list of locations where Apple Pay is accepted in the Czech Republic can be found on Apple’s Apple Pay website for the country.

Austria

Apple Pay became available in Austria in April 2019. Erste Bank, Sparkasse, N26, Bank Austria, and Raiffeisen Bank support Apple Pay in Austria, so customers from these banks can add their credit and debit cards to the Wallet app for use with Apple Pay.

A list of locations where Apple Pay is accepted in Austria can be found on the Austrian Apple Pay website.

Iceland

Apple Pay launched in Iceland in May 2019, allowing customers who bank with Landsbankinn and Arion banki to use their credit and debit cards with the Apple Pay service to make contactless payments.

Hungary

Apple Pay launched in Hungary in May 2019, allowing OTP Bank customers use Apple Pay with their credit and debit cards. A list of locations where Apple Pay can be used in Hungary is available via Apple’s Apple Pay website in the country.

Luxembourg

Apple Pay launched in Luxembourg in May 2019, allowing BGL BNP Paribas customers use Apple Pay with their credit and debit cards. At this time, BGL BNP Paribas is the sole bank supporting Apple Pay. A list of locations where Apple Pay can be used in Luxembourg is available via Apple’s Apple Pay website in the country.

The Netherlands

Apple Pay launched in The Netherlands in June 2019, allowing customers of ING, Bunq, Monese, N26, Revolut, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, and De Volksbank (parent company of SNS, ASN Bank, and RegioBank), to make Apple Pay purchases with debit and credit cards.

Apple Pay can be used in The Netherlands with several online and high street retailers including Adidas, ALDI, Amac, ARKET, BCC, Burger King, Capi, cool blue, COS, Decathlon, Douglas, H&M, Jumbo, Lidl, McDonalds, Starbucks, and others, with a full list available on Apple’s Apple Pay website for The Netherlands.

Georgia

Apple Pay expanded to the country of Georgia in September 2019. It is available to Bank of Georgia credit card holders.

Major European Expansion

In June of 2019, Apple Pay expanded to multiple European countries including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Apple Pay works with a number of popular banks in these countries, with details available for each country on Apple’s website.

Serbia

Apple Pay launched in Serbia in June 2020, allowing Mastercard users who bank with ProCredit to add their cards to the Wallet app for contactless Apple Pay payments.

South Korea

After more than five years of negotiations, Apple brought Apple Pay to South Korea in March 2023. Apple Pay is compatible with debit and credit cards issued by Hyundai.

Israel

Apple Pay launched in Israel in May 2021, and all bank and credit card companies in the country support Apple Pay. Not all credit cards are supported, however.

Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Bank Massad, Discount Bank, The First International Bank Group, ICC-CAL, Isracard, Pepper Bank, MAX, Mercantile Bank, and Mizrahi-Refahot support Apple Pay.

Mexico

Apple Pay launched in Mexico on February 23, allowing Citibanamex, Banorte, HSBC, and Inbursa customers with American Express and MasterCard debit and credit cards to use Apple Pay in the country when making contactless payments.

Many stores in Mexico support Apple Pay, including 7-Eleven, Petco, PF Changs, Xcaret, and more, with a full list available on the Apple Pay Mexico website.

South Africa

Apple Pay launched in South Africa in March 2021. Apple Pay is available for Discovery, Nedbank, Absa, and FNB customers in the country.

Qatar

Apple Pay launched in Qatar in August 2021, and it is available with the QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa. QNB Bank users in the country can use Apple Pay in Qatar, and Apple Pay is also available for Dukhan bank users.

Chile

Apple Pay expanded to Chile in September 2021, and it is available to Banco de Chile and Banco Edwards customers who have Visa cards.

Bahrain

Apple Pay expanded to Bahrain in October 2021, and it is available customers with an eligible credit or debit card.

Palestine

Apple Pay expanded to Palestine in October 2021, and it is available customers with an eligible credit or debit card.

Colombia

Apple Pay launched in Colombia in November 2021. Bancolombia customers can add their Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards to the Wallet app to make Apple Pay purchases.

Azerbaijan

Apple Pay launched in Azerbaijan in November 2021 for those who bank with Bank Respublika, Unibank Sanin, ABB, and Kapital Bank, allowing card holders to make purchases through Apple Pay.

Costa Rica

Apple Pay came to Costa Rica in November 2021, with major banks that include BAC, BCR, Scotiabank, and Promerica offering support.

Peru and Argentina

Apple Pay launched in Peru and Argentina in March 2022. Banks that support the feature in Peru include Rappi Bank, International Bank of Peru, Banco de Credito del Peru, and BBVA. Banks that support Apple Pay in Argentina include Brubank, Banco de Galicia S.A., Banco Macro S.A., Banco Patagona S.A., and BBVA.

Moldova

Apple Pay became available for Apple users in Moldova in April 2022. Customers of Moldinconbank, Maib, and Victoriabank are able to use Apple Pay.

Malaysia

Apple Pay launched in Malaysia in August of 2022. Visa and Mastercard cards from AmBank, Maybank, and Standard Chartered Bank can be used with Apple Pay. Apple Pay is available at locations that include Starbucks, Village Grocer, Shopee, Pizza Hut, Mydin, Watsons, and more.

India

Apple was working on expanding Apple Pay to India, but plans for the payments service in the country have been shelved for the time being due to regulatory issues and technical problems. The Reserve Bank of India requires companies to store payments data for local users in India, which has led to uncertainties about Apple Pay’s rollout in the country. There is no word on when Apple Pay will come to India.