International payment system MasterCard announced that during one year that ended in December 2021, MasterCard contactless payments have grown significantly in Europe due to an increase in the number of countries where contactless cards are accepted.
Contactless payments are now available in 63 countries around the world and in 34 European countries, including 7 new ones that were added in 2021: Azerbaijan, Finland, Ireland, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and the Netherlands. MasterCard and Maestro contactless cards have been issued by over 220 financial institutions in Europe and can be used in nearly 2 million retail outlets worldwide. These numbers represent a 180% increase over the year.
Continuous growth in the number of MasterCard and Maestro contactless payment points has contributed to the fact that the number of contactless transactions throughout Europe has more than tripled, and the amount spent through these transactions has quadrupled.
Javier Perez, President of MasterCard Europe, said: “I am delighted to see Europeans continue to use contactless payments as an innovative way to make payments both at home and abroad. The numbers we shared today show how contactless payments have reached the mass market in some countries. In addition to users in Europe, retailers also benefit by making their shopping experience easier and safer. The shift to contactless technology is also helping us increase our use of mobile payments. By the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, there were 50 mobile NFC programs in operation in Europe.”
Looking at the trends in contactless payments by country:
Contactless payments are now available in 63 countries around the world and in 34 European countries, including 7 new ones that were added in 2021: Azerbaijan, Finland, Ireland, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and the Netherlands. MasterCard and Maestro contactless cards have been issued by over 220 financial institutions in Europe and can be used in nearly 2 million retail outlets worldwide. These numbers represent a 180% increase over the year.
Continuous growth in the number of MasterCard and Maestro contactless payment points has contributed to the fact that the number of contactless transactions throughout Europe has more than tripled, and the amount spent through these transactions has quadrupled.
Javier Perez, President of MasterCard Europe, said: “I am delighted to see Europeans continue to use contactless payments as an innovative way to make payments both at home and abroad. The numbers we shared today show how contactless payments have reached the mass market in some countries. In addition to users in Europe, retailers also benefit by making their shopping experience easier and safer. The shift to contactless technology is also helping us increase our use of mobile payments. By the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, there were 50 mobile NFC programs in operation in Europe.”
Looking at the trends in contactless payments by country:
- In Poland and the Czech Republic, almost one of the three MasterCard and Maestro card transactions in retail stores is contactless, as a result of the massive introduction of contactless cards and terminals in these countries.
- In Hungary, according to the survey, about 20% of respondents used the MasterCard Mobile NFC Wallet contactless mobile payment solution for payments and loyalty programs at least once a day.
- In Spain, MasterCard and Bank Sabadell announced the introduction of HCE (Host Card Emulation) technology, which allows contactless payments from a mobile phone without using a secure element.
- In Germany, MasterCard entered into an agreement with Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica Deutschland, Vodafone and TREVICA to create a new mobile platform and accelerate the development of mobile payments in Germany.
- In the UK, MasterCard has teamed up with Weve, a joint venture between mobile operators EE, O2 and Vodafone. As a result, MasterCard will be able to provide contactless mobile payment services to 80% of UK users.
- In Switzerland, the country's largest merchants are in the process of introducing contactless payments in thousands of retail outlets.
- In the Netherlands, ING Bank announced that from 15 April 2021, all ING Maestro cardholders will be able to make contactless payments with their cards.
