Mobile payments surge in Denmark, replacing physical cards

Danish citizens are increasingly opting for card-based wallet solutions like Apple Pay and Google Pay over physical payment cards, driving a rapid shift in retail payments.

These mobile wallet payments now constitute almost one in three transactions in physical commerce, contributing to the 91 percent share of digital payments in Danish stores.

The trend is fueled by a strong preference for fast and easy-to-use payment methods, as revealed by Danmarks Nationalbank's 2025 survey of payment habits.

Notably, the integration of Dankort into Apple Pay in 2025 has bolstered its usage, counteracting a long-term decline in Dankort payments.

This widespread adoption of mobile wallets is observed across all age groups, with citizens under 30 using them for over half of their payments, demonstrating a high level of technological readiness within the population.

Denmark stands out internationally for its high adoption of digital payment solutions in physical commerce, though cash usage remains comparatively higher than in other Nordic countries due to a merchant obligation to accept it.

The blurring lines between physical and e-commerce, where in-app payments in stores are technically e-commerce transactions, further contributes to the digital surge.

To enhance payment resilience, Danmarks Nationalbank advocates for increased merchant adoption of 'deferred authorisation' for offline payments and wider use of instant payment solutions like MobilePay, which operate on independent infrastructure.

These measures are crucial for ensuring safe and efficient payments, a core task for the central bank.