Dependency on global players
The backbone of European commerce still runs on external rails. Without a sovereign alternative, geopolitical shifts or commercial decisions beyond Europe's control can disrupt entire economies.
EMPSA promotes sovereign, interoperable payments across Europe by bringing together trusted and successful European mobile payment solutions
Across Euroepan countries — people already pay with apps they trust backed by EMPSA members.
The backbone of European commerce still runs on external rails. Without a sovereign alternative, geopolitical shifts or commercial decisions beyond Europe's control can disrupt entire economies.
Europe's values, data and standards are at stake. A continent that builds its own regulations cannot afford to outsource its payment infrastructure.
When key payment infrastructure lies outside of Europe's hands, continuity becomes uncertain. EMPSA members provide truly European alternatives for consumers and merchants.
Europe already has what it needs: strong European payment apps, built and trusted by millions in their countries. EMPSA promotes interoperability and connecting these solutions - keeping what people love, while making it work across Europe.
Interoperability enables the connection of payment solutions that are already trusted by banks, merchants and institutions - not theoretical models, but live, proven networks.
Commonly standards unlock interoperability across Europe. With interoperability, local systems expand their reach - without losing their identity.
Diverse. Connected. Resilient. EMPSA reflects the strengths of Europe: variety, collaboration and democratic control over critical infrastructure.
EMPSA is a growing collaboration of national systems - trusted and used by millions across Europe.
Mobile payment systems across Europe come together to foster interoperability - moving Europe closer to true payment sovereignty.
EMPSA brings together people, institutions and ideas - here's what our partners say.
"This is the path forward for Europe. Cooperation that builds scale, innovation that drives competitiveness and ambition that turns European technology into global leadership."
"We encourage private initiatives to build strong together and to build the unified European Market. And we are happy to see this now coming to live."
Learn more about EMPSA's mission, vision and the journey behind building Europe's sovereign payment network.
From first pilots to daily use — every milestone shows what is possible when Europe builds together. The EMPSA journey is one of trust, collaboration, and real-world progress toward payment sovereignty.
Brussels Conference: From Conception to Reality.
EMPSA returns to Brussels – this time to celebrate what has been built and chart the path from shared standards to continental scale.
MoU for Pan-European Scale.
Bancomat, Bizum, SIBS, and Vipps MobilePay – together with EPI – sign a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate sovereign, cross-border payments across 13 European countries.
Brussels Conference: Shaping the Future.
EMPSA convenes in Brussels with members and stakeholders to align on the next chapter of European payment sovereignty.
EuroPA Partnership.
Bancomat, Bizum, and MB WAY launch EuroPA, a P2P payment partnership built on EMPSA standards – a major step toward a sovereign European payments ecosystem.
Interoperability goes live.
Bluecode and Bancomat go live with interoperable payments during UEFA Euro 2024 – turning years of collaboration into a working, real-world connection.
Cross-System Transactions.
Bancomat, TWINT, and Bluecode complete successful interoperable transactions together, demonstrating real multilateral connectivity between trusted local systems.
Virtual EMPSA Conference.
More than 200 payment industry experts from across Europe gather – online and in person – for EMPSA's inaugural conference, marking the network's growing momentum.
Proof of Concept.
Norwegian and Swedish systems complete the first successful interoperable transactions in Denmark – while a Swiss system does the same in Germany. Proof that the vision works in practice.
Founded.
EMPSA is established as a collaborative initiative to build the foundation for interoperable mobile payments across Europe.
EMPSA is committed to four strategic priorities that drive the development of a sovereign, interoperable and innovative European payments landscape.
Asserting European private mobile payment solutions as a pillar of Europe’s payments, digital and financial autonomy.
Strengthening the engagement with European stakeholders and regulators, providing EMPSA perspectives and contributions to shape the evolving payments and digital EU strategy.
Advancing common standards and interoperability that respond to real market needs, while respecting the diversity of local / regional payments ecosystem.
Promote innovation in European payments, leveraging our members combined expertise.
A concise overview of how EMPSA connects national payment systems, what changes for members, and why the approach is designed for European interoperability.
EMPSA is an association of local European mobile payment systems. Its purpose is to establish common standards and bring together members to enable interoperability for all European Payment Solutions. EMPSA aims to make it natural to pay across borders using one’s familiar and trusted mobile payment app.
No, EMPSA is not a payment system. Rather, it is an association that fosters collaboration among local European mobile payment solutions. Just as there is no single European mobile operator but a shared standard with roaming agreements, EMPSA promotes interoperability that enables customers of one payment solution to make pay to users or merchants of other payment solutions.
EMPSA members jointly develop the technical, legal, and commercial standards needed to enable interoperability. This includes both direct bilateral connections and hub-based models. The EMPSA Interoperability Working Group is responsible for developing common specifications, such as a unified QR code format, person-to-merchant (P2M) and person-to-person (P2P) interfaces. These standards form a shared language that enables seamless interaction among EMPSA members.
EMPSA aims to enable every user of a European mobile payment wallet to use that wallet throughout Europe – through interoperability. EMPSA envisions a truly connected European payment ecosystem that empowers consumers and merchants alike.