Yes, Apple Pay works internationally. You can use it abroad with your iPhone or Apple Watch wherever the shop, restaurant or transit gate takes contactless payments. Your cards from home keep working on your trip, as long as your bank allows payments abroad. Apple doesn't list any fee for paying with Apple Pay, but your card's own foreign transaction fees still apply. This guide covers where you can use Apple Pay abroad, what it costs, whether you need internet, and what to do when it doesn't work.
How Apple Pay works internationally
When you pay with Apple Pay in a shop, your iPhone or Apple Watch talks to the card reader over NFC, the same contactless technology a tap-to-pay card uses. Apple doesn't send your real card number. Each payment uses a device-specific number and a one-time code instead (Apple: Apple Pay security and privacy).
For you as a traveller, this means three things:
- The card counts, not the country you're in. A card you added at home keeps working abroad, just like the physical card would.
- The shop needs a contactless terminal. Look for the contactless symbol or the Apple Pay mark at the till (Apple: Make purchases using Apple Pay).
- Your bank decides. It approves or declines each payment and sets the fees and exchange rate.
Which countries support Apple Pay?
Apple lists around 100 countries and regions where banks offer Apple Pay. They include the US, Canada, the UK, almost all of Europe, Mexico, Brazil and most of Latin America, Japan, Australia, Singapore, the Philippines, India and the UAE (Apple: Countries and regions that support Apple Pay).
That list tells you where banks can issue cards for Apple Pay. As a visitor, what matters more is whether the shop in front of you takes contactless payments. Contactless is everyday in many cities, but small shops, markets, taxis and rural areas may still want cash or a physical card. Carry a backup card and a little local cash.
Europe and the UK
You can use Apple Pay in Europe almost anywhere card payments are taken, from cafés and supermarkets to train ticket machines. In London, you can tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the Tube, buses and other pay as you go services. Transport for London says a phone linked to a non-UK card may not always work and overseas transaction fees may apply, so check with your card issuer. Always touch in and out with the same phone or watch, or you may be charged for two incomplete journeys (TfL: Pay as you go).
Mexico, Asia and other destinations
Mexico, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and many other popular destinations are on Apple's list. Acceptance still varies by shop. In Japan, you can also add a Suica, PASMO or ICOCA transit card to Apple Wallet (Apple: Add a transit card to Apple Wallet in Japan).
Visiting the US
Coming from the UK, Canada or elsewhere? You can use Apple Pay in the US with your home card wherever contactless is accepted. Your bank's foreign transaction fees apply, the same as with your physical card.
Does Apple Pay charge foreign transaction fees?
Apple doesn't list any fee for using Apple Pay at home or abroad. The card you pay with is offered by your bank or card issuer (Apple), so its usual terms apply:
- Foreign transaction fees: if your card charges a fee on purchases abroad, you pay it with Apple Pay too.
- Exchange rate: set by your card network and your bank, not by Apple.
Want to avoid fees? Use a card with no foreign transaction fees. For example, Apple says Apple Card charges no foreign transaction fees, but it's only available to qualifying applicants in the US. Check your own card's terms before you go.
Does Apple Pay work without internet abroad?
For paying in shops, you don't need mobile data on your phone. During a contactless payment, the terminal talks directly to the secure chip in your device through NFC (Apple Platform Security). The shop's terminal handles the connection to the bank.
You do need a connection for other things:
- Adding a card to Wallet. The card details go to the Apple Pay server and on to your bank (Apple Platform Security).
- Verifying a card. Your bank may confirm it by text message, email, a call or its app.
- Your bank's app, to check payments, unblock a card or approve a purchase.
- Paying online and in apps with Apple Pay.
So add your cards at home, and make sure you'll have data on your trip for everything else.
Does Apple Pay on Apple Watch work internationally?
Yes. Apple Pay on Apple Watch works abroad the same way as on your iPhone, with the cards you added to the watch. It even works when your watch isn't connected to Wi-Fi, cellular or your iPhone (Apple: Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby).
To pay, double-click the side button and hold the display near the reader until you feel a gentle tap and hear a beep (Apple).
How to use Apple Pay abroad
Paying abroad works exactly like at home:
- iPhone with Face ID: double-click the side button, then look at your iPhone or enter your passcode.
- iPhone with Touch ID: double-click the Home button, then use Touch ID or your passcode.
- Want another card? Tap your default card and pick a different one.
- Hold the top of your iPhone near the reader until you see Done and a checkmark.
These steps come from Apple's guide to making purchases using Apple Pay.
Using Apple Pay for transit with Express Mode
With Express Mode, you can pay at some transit gates with a tap, without waking or unlocking your iPhone. For transit, you can set one transit card per network and a payment card for places where your transit card isn't accepted. On iPhone, open Wallet, choose the card, tap the More button, then Card Details and Express Transit Settings or Express Mode. Power reserve can keep Express Mode working for up to five hours with some cards after your iPhone needs charging (Apple: Use Express Mode). Which cards work depends on the transit system, so check the local operator's site before you go.
Before you travel: a quick checklist
- Add your cards at home. In Wallet, tap the Add Card button and follow the steps. Your bank may ask you to verify the card (Apple: Set up Apple Pay).
- Ask your bank about foreign transaction fees and whether you should tell it about your trip. Many banks let you check this in their app.
- Add a second card from another bank or network, in case one is declined.
- Keep your physical cards with you for shops without contactless and for ATMs.
- Update your iPhone and Apple Watch before you leave.
- Plan your connection. You'll want data for maps and your bank's app, and your home line for bank text messages (see below).
Apple Pay not working abroad? Common fixes
Your payment is declined
This is usually your bank, not Apple Pay. Your bank approves or declines every payment, and a purchase in a new country can trigger a security check. Open your bank's app to approve the payment or check for an alert, try your second card, or call the number on the back of your card. Your bank may send you a text, so keep your home line on.
The terminal doesn't take contactless
Some shops only take cash or chip cards. Use your physical card or cash.
You can't add a card while abroad
Apple doesn't approve or decline cards. Your bank does. If you see a message like "Could Not Add Card", contact your bank (Apple: If you can't add a card to Apple Wallet). Adding a card needs an internet connection, and your bank may send a code to your home phone number.
The transit gate doesn't open
Check that your card works on that network, and use the same device to touch in and out. If you have no luck, buy a ticket at the machine with your physical card.
Stay connected for bank codes, maps and card checks
Apple Pay doesn't need data at the till, but your trip does. Your bank's app, card verification, maps and ride apps all need internet. Bank verification codes are another thing to plan for: they go to the phone number your bank has on file, usually your home number.
A travel eSIM covers both. Your iPhone can keep two lines active, so you can make and receive calls and texts on either number (Apple: Use Dual SIM with an eSIM). Use the travel eSIM for data and keep your home line on for texts and bank codes. Turn off data roaming on your home line so it doesn't use data abroad, and check your carrier's rates for texts and calls abroad. Here's how: correct roaming settings for an eSIM.
A travel eSIM won't receive texts sent to your home number. Only your home line gets those, so don't remove it. Not sure your phone supports eSIM? Check your eSIM compatibility.
Heading to Europe? This data-only eSIM covers a typical one or two week trip, with your home line still on for bank texts.
Travelling somewhere else? Pick the data plan for your destination.
USA, Mexico and Asia plans shown · data-only, no phone number · Find the eSIM for your destination · Going to Europe? See all Europe eSIMs
Apple Pay, Apple Cash and Apple Card abroad
- Apple Pay is the way you pay with cards in Wallet. It works abroad with cards from your bank.
- Apple Cash is only available in the US, for US residents aged 18 or older (Apple: Set up Apple Cash). Sending and receiving money with Apple Pay is also US only, so you can't use it to send money to someone in another country (Apple).
- Apple Card is a US credit card on the Mastercard network. Apple says you can use it around the world with no foreign transaction fees (Apple Card).
If your iPhone is lost or stolen abroad
Put your device in Lost Mode with Find My to suspend Apple Pay on it, without cancelling your cards. Erasing the device remotely also removes the ability to pay with it (Apple: Apple Pay security and privacy). Then call your bank. This is one more reason to carry a physical card separately from your phone.
Phone trouble on your trip? See what to do when your eSIM stops working abroad, and learn how to make phone calls with a data-only eSIM.
FAQs
Can I use Apple Pay internationally or overseas?
Yes. You can use Apple Pay abroad wherever contactless payments are accepted, with the cards you added at home. Your bank must allow payments abroad.
Does Apple Pay charge international fees?
Apple doesn't list a fee for Apple Pay. Your card's own foreign transaction fees and exchange rate apply, the same as with the physical card. Check with your bank.
Does Apple Pay work offline abroad?
In shops, yes: the payment happens between your device and the terminal over NFC. You need internet to add or verify a card, use your bank's app or pay online.
Does Apple Pay work in Europe and London?
Yes. Contactless is widely accepted in Europe, and you can tap in and out with Apple Pay on London's pay as you go transport. Use the same device to touch in and out.
Can I send money internationally with Apple Pay?
No. Sending and receiving money with Apple Pay and Apple Cash is only available in the US.
Does Apple Pay on Apple Watch work internationally?
Yes, with the cards on your watch, even without your iPhone or a connection nearby.
Will I get my bank's text codes abroad with a travel eSIM?
Texts go to your home number. Keep your home line on next to your travel eSIM, and check your carrier's roaming rates for texts.