UnionPay International has announced a major expansion of its payment network across Europe, making its services available in over 90% of countries and regions.
The company stated that the move provides both local residents and international travelers with more secure and convenient payment options across retail, transportation, dining, hotels, and attractions.
The expansion includes more than 80% of European merchants accepting UnionPay cards at point-of-sale terminals and over six million locations supporting UnionPay QuickPass contactless payments. Since early 2025, QuickPass transactions have more than doubled in several European markets, reflecting growing adoption by both consumers and businesses.
Acceptance in Retail, Hospitality, and Travel
Major retailers and hospitality providers now accept UnionPay as part of the rollout. Duty-free stores in European airports, Galeries Lafayette in France, Harrods in the UK, Spain’s El Corte Inglés, and nine Value Retail premium outlets all support UnionPay card payments, with many also offering mobile payment options. Dining establishments from fine dining to quick-service chains and coffee shops also integrate the brand.
In the hotel sector, global groups such as Four Seasons, Shangri-La, and Park Hyatt provide UnionPay payment facilities at key European properties. Through a partnership with Dojo, UnionPay acceptance now extends to more than 110,000 UK merchants, particularly in the hospitality sector. The company said these integrations position UnionPay as a competitive option for both leisure and business travelers.
UnionPay has also strengthened its role in the travel industry, with acceptance across urban and intercity transport systems as well as car rental services in Germany, Spain, and Italy. Major tourist attractions including the London Eye, Disneyland Paris, and Barcelona’s Sagrada Família allow visitors to book tickets online using UnionPay. Around 40,000 Selecta vending machines across Europe have also enabled UnionPay acceptance.
UnionPay’s expansion strategy includes issuing cards directly within Europe. More than one million UnionPay cards have been distributed across 13 countries, including Spain, Italy, and Serbia. Residents in Spain, France, Germany, and other EEA markets can apply for PecunPay UnionPay cards through the Yi An app, which works across Europe and in 183 countries and regions worldwide.
The cards are also compatible with QR code transactions through Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay internationally) and Alipay. This integration provides European cardholders with payment flexibility when traveling to China, while also supporting seamless mobile transactions within Europe. UnionPay said these steps are part of its broader “Project Excellence” initiative aimed at strengthening inbound and outbound payment connectivity.
With China emerging as a growing destination for European tourists—helped by new visa-free agreements and expanded direct flight connections—UnionPay’s network allows travelers to make payments easily in China. The company also provides tax refund services directly to UnionPay cards in gateway cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Nanjing, easing the payment process for visitors.
UnionPay highlighted that the strengthened European network benefits both local economies and international travelers. For European merchants, the integration is designed to attract spending from global UnionPay cardholders, including a rising number of Chinese visitors. For residents, local issuance offers more options for domestic and international transactions.
UnionPay also continues to roll out promotions with local merchants and Chinese issuers to encourage card use across shopping, dining, and travel-related purchases. The company said its approach builds on demand from travelers for secure, widely accepted, and convenient payment solutions.
Beyond Europe, UnionPay reports that hundreds of millions of its cards have been issued in 83 countries and regions, making it one of the most extensive global payment networks. This infrastructure supports cross-border commerce and tourism, enabling cardholders to use UnionPay for everyday spending and travel-related transactions worldwide.
By expanding acceptance in over 90% of Europe and integrating its services with retail, hospitality, and tourism providers, UnionPay said it aims to deliver a seamless payment experience for travelers. The company’s efforts align with broader trends in the global travel industry, where partnerships between payment providers and merchants play a growing role in shaping traveler convenience and economic impact.
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