The launch comes on the heels of recent UPI implementations at prominent locations in France, such as Galeries Lafayette in Nice and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, indicating that Indian payment systems are gaining traction at major global tourist hotspots.
For travellers, this means that making payments abroad could soon be as simple as scanning a QR code at your favourite café in India.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled this development during his visit to Athens, where a live demonstration highlighted the collaboration between Eurobank and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL).
Why this matters for your budgetUPI’s expansion isn’t just a tech advancement; it has significant implications for personal finance:
- Reduced transaction fees: International card transactions and foreign exchange conversions typically carry hidden charges. UPI seeks to lower these costs dramatically compared to traditional transfer fees.
- No need for large cash amounts: Travellers can make payments directly through familiar Indian applications.
- Quicker and smoother transactions: Say goodbye to waiting for OTPs from international networks or facing issues with card acceptance abroad.
- Enhanced budgeting while travelling: With payments processed instantly from linked bank accounts, managing expenses becomes much simpler.
Countries supporting UPIUPI is currently operational in these countries:
- Greece
- Singapore
- United Arab Emirates
- France
- Mauritius
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Qatar
- Sri Lanka
- Cambodia
For frequent travellers, international students, and business visitors, this expanding network could gradually lessen reliance on international cards and costly currency exchange options.
First Published: Jun 30, 2026 1:42 PM IST
