Countries Using UPI and Its Global Expansion

Countries Using UPI and Its Global Expansion

India’s UPI has expanded beyond the country and is now available in 10 countries, including the UAE, Singapore, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Greece. This expansion allows Indian travellers to make quick payments using UPI-enabled QR codes while abroad, reducing the need to carry or exchange physical cash.

Strategic Global Expansion Model

• NIPL (NPCI International Payments Limited): NIPL is helping expand UPI internationally by working with payment network operators, central banks, and merchant-acquiring institutions in other countries.

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) MoUs: India has entered into cooperation agreements and Memorandums of Understanding with more than 20 countries, including countries from Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, to support the development of their own real-time digital payment systems.

• Two-Way Payment Corridors: UPI’s international expansion is moving beyond payments made by Indian travellers. New initiatives are also focusing on enabling cross-border remittances to flow into India and allowing funds to be transferred directly to Indian bank accounts.

India’s digital payment network has grown significantly and UPI has also started gaining recognition in other countries. Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI enables fast and secure digital transactions through mobile apps and QR codes. Its simple payment process has changed the way people make transactions in India and is now being used to make cross-border payments more convenient for travellers, businesses, and Indians living abroad. This article looks at the countries where UPI payments are accepted in 2026 and highlights some of the latest international additions.

Countries Accepting UPI Payment 2026

In 2026, UPI has expanded its presence to nine countries, showing the growing influence of India’s digital payment technology worldwide. The Government of India is also working with different countries through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) partnerships and India Stack initiatives to promote digital payment systems. This article covers the updated list of countries accepting UPI payments in 2026, recent developments, and the increasing global influence of India’s digital payment ecosystem.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched in 2016 as a real-time digital payment system in India. It allows people to send and receive money directly between bank accounts through mobile apps such as BHIM, PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm.

With UPI, users can make secure payments to individuals as well as merchants using a QR code or mobile number. There is no need to enter complete bank account details every time a payment is made, which makes digital transactions much easier and more convenient.

The international expansion of UPI mainly focuses on:

• Simplifying Cross-Border Payments: Making international digital transactions faster, easier, and more secure.

• Helping Indians Abroad: Supporting Indian tourists, students, and businesses when they need to make payments outside India.

• Building Digital Partnerships: Strengthening India’s cooperation with other countries through Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives.

• Encouraging Financial Inclusion: Providing affordable and accessible digital payment options to more people.

• Growing Fintech Leadership: Increasing India’s role and influence in the global digital payments and fintech sector.

Bhutan: The Pioneer UPI Accepted Country

Bhutan became the first country outside India to accept UPI payments. The initiative was launched through cooperation between NPCI International and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, with UPI payments being enabled through the BHIM app. Indian visitors can now use UPI QR codes to pay at various local shops, cafes, and tourist destinations. Bhutan’s adoption marked an important beginning for UPI’s expansion into international markets.

UPI Adoption in Europe: France and Cyprus

France and Cyprus were among the early European markets to introduce UPI-based payments through partnerships involving NIPL and local payment companies.

In France, UPI payments were introduced at selected tourist destinations with the support of Lyra, allowing Indian visitors to make payments using QR codes. In Cyprus, UPI was made available at participating retail outlets and restaurants. For Indian travellers, these services provide a convenient alternative for making everyday payments while abroad.

FAQs: Countries Using UPI and Its Global Expansion

1. What is UPI?

UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is an instant digital payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It allows users to transfer money directly between bank accounts through mobile applications.

2. Why is UPI expanding globally?

UPI is expanding internationally to make cross-border payments easier, support Indian travellers and businesses, and increase the global reach of India’s digital payment technology.

3. Which countries use UPI?

UPI has been introduced or enabled in several countries, including Bhutan, Singapore, the UAE, France, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Qatar, Cambodia, and Greece, with international availability depending on the specific payment arrangement and service.

4. Which country was the first to accept UPI?

Bhutan was the first country outside India to adopt UPI-based payments, marking an important step in UPI’s international expansion.

5. Can Indian tourists use UPI abroad?

Yes. In supported countries and at participating merchants, Indian users can make payments using UPI-enabled apps by scanning compatible QR codes.

6. How does UPI help Indian travellers?

UPI can make payments more convenient for Indian travellers by allowing them to pay digitally at participating merchants without needing to rely entirely on physical cash.

7. What role does NPCI International play in UPI's global expansion?

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) works with international payment networks, financial institutions, and other partners to expand UPI acceptance outside India.

8. Is UPI available in Europe?

Yes. UPI has expanded into parts of Europe, including France, where participating merchants and tourist locations can accept UPI payments.

9. How does UPI support cross-border payments?

UPI can connect with international payment systems and merchant networks, allowing users to make digital payments across borders where the necessary infrastructure and partnerships are available.

10. What are the benefits of UPI's global expansion?

The expansion can provide faster payments, greater convenience, lower-cost digital transactions, and improved payment accessibility for travellers, businesses, and other users.