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2026-07-01

Added 2026-07-01 · Updated 2026-08-03

Offline card payments - possibilities expanded

The Swedish Riksbank has implemented expanded offline card payment capabilities effective July 1, 2026, to enhance the resilience of the national payment system during communication disruptions. This measure, resulting from an agreement among major banks, card networks, and retailers, allows physical Visa and Mastercard holders to purchase essential goods like food and fuel without data connectivity. The Riksbank is also initiating a study to evaluate offline functionality for the Swish payment service and urges households to keep physical cards and PIN codes accessible.

Sweden

Sveriges Riksbank

Press Release From today, July 1, 2026, expanded possibilities for offline card payments will be introduced for the purchase of essential goods. The measure strengthens the resilience of the payment system and is based on an agreement between the Riksbank and market participants.

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Published

2026-07-01

– Sweden's payment market is undergoing rapid change, with a high degree of digitalization and low use of cash. Cards are currently the most common payment method in stores. By ensuring that card payments work even during disruptions and interruptions in data communication, we significantly increase preparedness, says Riksbank Governor Erik Thedéen.

The expanded possibility for offline payments is the result of an agreement concluded in October 2025 between card issuers, card networks, acquirers, retailers, and the Riksbank. Over the past year, the actors have implemented the technical and regulatory measures required to enable the change.

– A resilient payment system requires all actors within the system to take responsibility. In this work, we would like to extend a special thanks to the market for active and constructive cooperation, says Erik Thedéen.

The expanded offline function covers the vast majority of Visa or Mastercard cards issued to persons over 18 years of age by card issuers who have joined the agreement. These will work from today for the purchase of essential goods, such as food, medicine, and fuel at staffed stations. The function can be used when data communication is unavailable, for example during serious disruptions, cyberattacks, peacetime crises, or during heightened alert status. The function works only for physical cards in combination with a PIN code. The Riksbank therefore urges households to keep physical cards and PIN codes easily accessible.

As the next step in the work to increase resilience in the payment system, the Riksbank has initiated work together with Swish and relevant companies to investigate the conditions for offline functionality for the payment service Swish during the year.

FACTS

The agreement on expanded possibilities for offline card payments currently includes;

Card Issuers: Danske Bank, Handelsbanken, Ica Banken, Länsförsäkringar Bank, Nordea, SEB, Swedbank

Card Networks: Visa, Mastercard

Acquirers: Adyen, Nets, Swedbank Pay, Worldline

Representatives from retail and fuel companies: Apoteket, Axfood, Coop, Apoteket Hjärtat, Ica, Swedish Retail and Drivkraft Sverige

The offline function may also be available to a limited extent in cards from other issuers connected to Visa and Mastercard.

The Riksbank encourages more banks and other card issuers to join the agreement to further strengthen Swedish payment preparedness.