India’s UPI Expands to Greece, Marking a New Milestone in Global Digital Payments

National News (30/06/2026): India’s flagship digital payments platform, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has strengthened its international footprint with its official launch in Greece, making the European nation the latest addition to the growing network of countries accepting India’s homegrown payment technology. The development reflects India’s expanding role in shaping global digital payment infrastructure and promoting seamless cross-border financial transactions.

The service was inaugurated through a strategic collaboration between Eurobank and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) at Eurobank’s headquarters in Athens, where a live demonstration showcased the ease and speed of UPI-enabled transactions.

Piyush Goyal Witnesses Live UPI Demonstration in Athens

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, who is on an official visit to Greece, attended the launch event and observed the live demonstration of the payment system. Describing the rollout as another milestone in India’s digital transformation journey, Goyal said the increasing international adoption of UPI reflects growing global confidence in Indian financial technology.

According to the minister, India’s digital payment ecosystem has emerged as a trusted, secure, and scalable platform capable of supporting cross-border commerce and enhancing financial connectivity between nations. He also shared the development through a post on social media platform X.

UPI Now Available in 10 Countries Worldwide

With Greece joining the network, UPI can now be used in 10 countries through various partnership models. The expansion enables Indian travellers to make QR code-based merchant payments directly from their Indian bank accounts while also supporting select cross-border remittance services.

The growing international acceptance of UPI is expected to simplify overseas payments for tourists, business travellers, students, and members of the Indian diaspora by reducing dependence on cash and foreign currency exchange.

Greece Follows Cambodia in UPI Expansion

Before Greece, Cambodia became the ninth country to integrate UPI through a partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited and ACLEDA Bank. The collaboration enabled Indian users to make payments using Cambodia’s national QR payment system, KHQR, allowing seamless cross-border digital transactions.

Countries Where UPI is Currently Accepted

Apart from Greece and Cambodia, UPI has already established a presence in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, and Sri Lanka. The nature of implementation varies by country, with services ranging from merchant payments to remittances and QR-code interoperability.

Europe Emerging as a Key Growth Market

Europe has become an important destination in UPI’s international expansion strategy. France became the first European country to introduce the platform in 2024 with its launch at the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. Since then, acceptance has expanded to major retail locations, including prominent shopping destinations in Nice, highlighting the increasing demand for convenient digital payment options among international visitors.

What Makes UPI a Global Success Story?

Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI is a real-time payment system that allows instant bank-to-bank transfers using mobile applications. Its interoperable architecture, high transaction speed, robust security framework, and ease of use have made it one of the world’s most successful digital payment platforms.

India’s experience in building a low-cost, inclusive digital payment ecosystem has attracted interest from governments and financial institutions worldwide seeking efficient alternatives for retail payments.

How Will UPI Work for Indian Users in Greece?

Indian travellers visiting Greece will be able to use compatible UPI-enabled mobile applications to scan QR codes issued by participating merchants connected to Eurobank’s network. Payments will be debited directly from their linked Indian bank accounts, eliminating the need to carry large amounts of foreign currency or rely extensively on international cards.

The system is expected to make travel more convenient while offering greater transparency, lower transaction costs, and faster settlement compared to conventional cross-border payment methods.

India’s Vision for Global Digital Payments

The international rollout of UPI forms part of India’s broader strategy to promote its digital public infrastructure on the global stage. Through partnerships with foreign banks, payment networks, and financial regulators, NPCI International aims to expand UPI’s presence across more countries in the coming years, supporting tourism, trade, remittances, and financial inclusion.

The latest launch in Greece underscores India’s growing influence in digital finance and reinforces UPI’s position as one of the world’s fastest-expanding real-time payment ecosystems.

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