Apple Pay works in most countries, but not everywhere, and your bank may block it even where the service exists

Apple Pay functions internationally in over 70 countries and regions, but availability depends on three things: whether Apple Pay operates where you are, whether your bank supports it, and whether the merchant's payment terminal accepts contactless payments. You can use Apple Pay in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and most of Western Europe. You cannot use it in China, India, Russia, or most of Africa and South America. Even in supported countries, your US bank may decline the transaction if it flags the foreign location as suspicious.

The process works the same way abroad as it does at home — you hold your phone or watch near a contactless reader and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. The transaction happens in the local currency, and your bank converts it at their exchange rate. You do not need to tell your bank you are traveling, though many banks let you set travel notifications in their app to reduce the chance of a declined transaction.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Pay works in over 70 countries, including most of Europe, Canada, Australia, and Japan, but not in China, India, Russia, or most of Africa and South America.
  • Your bank must support Apple Pay and must not block the transaction as fraudulent, so contact your bank before traveling to countries where you are less likely to use your card normally.
  • Contactless payment terminals are more common in some countries than others — chip readers and cash are still standard in parts of Europe and most of Asia.
  • Apple Pay converts transactions to your home currency at your bank's exchange rate, which is usually better than what you would get from a currency exchange booth.
  • If Apple Pay is declined, you can fall back to your physical card, but some merchants abroad do not accept cards at all and only take cash or local payment apps.

Which countries and regions support Apple Pay

Apple Pay is available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the United States. This list expands occasionally, but Apple does not announce changes widely.

The service does not work in China (which uses Alipay and WeChat Pay instead), India, Russia, Mexico, or most countries in Africa, the Middle East, and South America. If you are traveling to a country not on this list, you will need a backup payment method — usually your physical card or cash.

Even in countries where Apple Pay is available, not every merchant accepts it. Contactless payments are standard in the UK, Scandinavia, and Australia, but less common in parts of Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Many merchants in Germany, France, and Italy still prefer chip cards or cash. Always carry a physical card and some local currency as backup.

How your bank affects whether Apple Pay works abroad

Your bank must support Apple Pay and must allow the transaction to go through. Most major US banks — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and Capital One — support Apple Pay internationally. Smaller regional banks and credit unions may not, so check your bank's website or app before you travel.

Even if your bank supports Apple Pay, it may decline a transaction in a foreign country if it looks suspicious. This happens most often when you travel to a country where you rarely use your card, or when you make a large purchase. You can reduce the risk by setting a travel notification in your bank's app before you leave, or by calling your bank to tell them your travel dates and destinations. Some banks let you do this through their mobile app; others require a phone call.

If a transaction is declined, you can try again with your physical card, or contact your bank to ask them to approve the next transaction. Some merchants will let you retry immediately; others may ask you to wait a few minutes before trying again.

Currency conversion and exchange rates

When you use Apple Pay abroad, the transaction is converted to your home currency at your bank's exchange rate. This rate is usually better than what you would get from a currency exchange booth at an airport or hotel, but it is not as good as the mid-market rate you see on financial websites. Your bank typically marks up the mid-market rate by 1 to 3 percent.

You do not have a choice of exchange rate when you use Apple Pay — your bank sets the rate, and you see the converted amount on your statement a day or two after the transaction. Some banks show the conversion immediately in their app; others do not. If you want to know the exact rate your bank used, check your statement or call customer service.

Avoid using Apple Pay to withdraw cash from an ATM abroad, because ATM fees are usually higher than the fees for a purchase, and you will pay the exchange rate on top of that. Use your physical card at an ATM instead, or use Apple Pay to buy something and ask for cash back if the merchant offers it.

What to do if Apple Pay does not work

If a merchant's terminal does not accept contactless payments, you will not be able to use Apple Pay. This is common in parts of Europe and Asia where chip cards are standard but contactless readers are not yet widespread. Ask the merchant if they have a contactless reader, or use your physical card instead.

If the terminal accepts contactless payments but your transaction is declined, try again. If it is declined a second time, ask the merchant to run it as a chip card instead — most terminals can do both. If that does not work, your bank may have blocked the transaction. Call your bank to ask them to approve it, or use a different payment method.

Some merchants abroad do not accept cards at all and only take cash or local payment apps like Alipay, WeChat Pay, or Revolut. In these cases, you will need to withdraw cash from an ATM or use a local payment app if you have one set up. This is especially common in small shops, markets, and restaurants in Asia and parts of Europe.

Setting up Apple Pay before you travel

Your Apple Pay cards are already set up to work internationally — you do not need to do anything special to enable them. However, you should take a few steps before you leave to make sure your trip goes smoothly.

First, check your bank's website or app to confirm that your card is supported in the countries you are visiting. Second, set a travel notification in your bank's app or call your bank to tell them your travel dates and destinations. Third, make sure your iPhone or Apple Watch is charged and has a working internet connection — Apple Pay does not require an internet connection to work, but your phone needs to be unlocked and authenticated at least once every 24 hours when you are abroad. Fourth, write down your bank's customer service number and keep it somewhere you can access it if your phone dies or is lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to tell Apple that I am traveling?

No. You only need to tell your bank. Apple does not track your location or require travel notifications. Your bank uses travel notifications to reduce the chance that it will block your transaction as fraudulent.

What happens if my phone dies while I am abroad?

You cannot use Apple Pay without your phone or watch. Use your physical card instead. If you lose your phone, contact your bank to report it and ask them to block your card, then use a backup card or withdraw cash from an ATM.

Can I use Apple Pay in a country where it is not officially supported?

No. Apple Pay will not work in countries where the service is not available, even if you have a supported card and a contactless terminal. You will need to use your physical card or cash instead.

Will I be charged a foreign transaction fee?

Yes, if your bank charges foreign transaction fees. Apple Pay does not add an extra fee — your bank's standard foreign transaction fee applies, usually 1 to 3 percent of the purchase amount. Check your card's terms to see what your bank charges.

Is Apple Pay safer than using my physical card abroad?

Apple Pay is at least as safe as your physical card, and arguably safer because your actual card number is never shared with the merchant. Your bank's fraud protection applies to Apple Pay transactions the same way it applies to physical card transactions.