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UPI Goes Global: In After revolutionizing domestic payments within the country, India’s UPI system has now established a global footprint. What began in 2016 as a means for transferring funds between Indian bank accounts is now accepted for payments at various merchant outlets across ten countries—a list that continues to grow.
India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed the way people make digital payments. What started as a domestic payment system in 2016 has now become an international payment network, allowing Indian travellers to make cashless transactions in several countries using their existing UPI-enabled apps.
Greece is the latest addition to this list. On June 30, 2024, in Athens, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal witnessed a live demonstration of the partnership between Eurobank and NPCI International. Indian tourists visiting Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos can now make payments directly via their UPI apps by scanning QR codes; there is no need for cash or forex cards.
From the Eiffel Tower in Paris to duty-free shops in Qatar and Eurobank in Athens, UPI is increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for Indians traveling abroad.
To use UPI overseas, simply enable the ‘UPI International’ option in your app settings before your trip, and look for the UPI or NIPL logo at the merchant counter when making a payment.
With more countries joining the network, UPI is steadily emerging as one of India’s biggest digital success stories, making international travel more convenient and reducing the need to carry cash or exchange foreign currency.
India’s UPI Expands Across the World
UPI was introduced by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to enable instant bank-to-bank money transfers. Over the years, it has become the preferred payment method for millions of Indians.
Today, the same technology is being adopted in multiple countries, allowing Indian visitors to pay merchants directly by scanning QR codes with their regular UPI applications.
According to the latest developments, UPI is now accepted in 10 countries, and the list is expected to grow further in the coming years.
UPI Goes Global: Full List of Countries Where India’s UPI Is Available
Here is the timeline of countries that have adopted or enabled UPI payments for Indian users:
| Country | Year |
| Bhutan | 2021 |
| Nepal | 2022 |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | 2022 |
| Singapore | 2023 |
| France | 2024 |
| Sri Lanka | 2024 |
| Mauritius | 2024 |
| Qatar | 2024 |
| Cambodia | June 2026 |
| Greece | June 30, 2026 |
France became the first European country to introduce UPI services, while Greece is the latest country to join the growing network.
Greece Becomes the Newest Addition
The newest milestone came with the launch of UPI services in Greece.
The announcement followed a demonstration of the Europe-NPCI International Payments partnership during a visit to Athens. Indian travellers visiting popular Greek destinations such as Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos can now make payments directly through their UPI apps by scanning QR codes at participating merchants.
This means tourists no longer need to depend entirely on cash or spend time exchanging currency for many day-to-day purchases.
UPI Goes Global: Why This Matters for Indian Travellers
The international expansion of UPI offers several practical advantages:
- Instant digital payments through familiar UPI apps.
- Reduced dependence on cash during foreign travel.
- Less need for currency exchange for routine purchases.
- Secure bank-to-bank transactions.
- Faster checkout at participating stores and businesses.
As more countries integrate with India’s digital payment ecosystem, travelling abroad is becoming easier and more affordable for Indian tourists.
India’s Digital Payment Revolution
India has become one of the world’s leading digital payment economies. UPI handles billions of transactions every month, and its international expansion reflects growing confidence in India’s fintech infrastructure.
The increasing acceptance of UPI also strengthens economic cooperation between India and partner countries while making cross-border retail payments simpler for consumers.
With Cambodia and Greece recently joining the network, experts expect additional countries to explore similar partnerships in the future.
UPI has evolved from a domestic innovation into a global digital payment solution. With acceptance now extending across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and island nations like Mauritius, Indian travellers can enjoy a more seamless payment experience abroad.
As international adoption continues to grow, UPI is expected to play an even bigger role in making cross-border transactions faster, safer, and more convenient.
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