UnionPay Expands Acceptance Across Europe, Now Available in Over 90% of Countries

UnionPay's Expansion in Europe

UnionPay International (UPI) has achieved an impressive milestone by expanding its payment services across Europe, now accepted in over 90% of countries and regions. This major development aims to create a seamless payment environment for both locals and international travelers, ensuring secure and convenient payment options.

UPI's presence in Europe covers key payment scenarios, with more than 80% of merchants accepting UnionPay cards at POS terminals. Over six million merchants support contactless payments through UnionPay QuickPass. This includes public transportation, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and ticket sales for tourist attractions. Since 2025, QuickPass transactions have more than doubled in several European markets, indicating a growing acceptance among both consumers and merchants.

Major retailers and dining establishments have begun integrating UnionPay into their services. Duty-Free shops at European airports, Galeries Lafayette in France, Harrods in the UK, El Corte Inglés in Spain, and several premium outlets under Value Retail all accept UnionPay cards. Most of these locations also support mobile payments via UnionPay. The gastronomy sector, ranging from fine dining to fast food and cafés, similarly backs the brand, while global hotel chains like Four Seasons, Shangri-La, and Park Hyatt accept UnionPay payments in their key European properties. Additionally, through a partnership with Dojo, UnionPay cardholders can make payments at over 110,000 British merchants, particularly in the hospitality industry.

In the travel and tourism sector, UnionPay has become indispensable. The company has integrated its services into urban and intercity transport systems and car rental services in countries like Germany, Spain, and Italy. Popular destinations such as the London Eye, Disneyland Paris, and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona now allow ticket purchases online via UnionPay cards. Furthermore, approximately 40,000 Selecta vending machines across Europe accept UnionPay.

UnionPay's local issuance in Europe is deepening its presence further. Over a million cards have been issued in 13 countries, including Serbia, Italy, and Spain. Residents in Spain, France, Germany, and other EEA markets can apply for UnionPay cards through the “Yi An” app, which can be used across UnionPay's European network and in 183 countries and regions worldwide. This app is compatible with Weixin Pay (known internationally as WeChat Pay) and Alipay for QR code transactions, facilitating seamless payments for European travelers in China.

With China emerging as one of the most popular travel destinations for European tourists—thanks to more visa-free agreements and direct flights—UPI's “Project Excellence” enhances inbound payment convenience. The extensive acceptance of UnionPay in China, along with tax refund services directly on UnionPay cards available in key cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Nanjing, ensures smooth payment experiences for European visitors.

This robust infrastructure is beneficial for both sides, addressing the daily and travel-related needs of European residents while attracting global UnionPay cardholders, including a rapidly increasing number of Chinese tourists, to European merchants. UnionPay continues to introduce exclusive offers with local merchants and Chinese issuers to stimulate spending. Beyond Europe, hundreds of millions of UnionPay cards have been issued in 83 countries and regions, further bolstering cross-border travel and trade worldwide.