Apple Pay just got bigger in Europe after the service officially launched in Austria yesterday.
Apple’s mobile payment system was released back in 2014 and has been slowly rolling out the service around the world ever since.
Austria is the company’s latest market, with Apple working with Erste Bank und Sparkasse to bring the service to Austrian citizens.
The German-based challenger bank N26 also supports Apple Pay in Austria from day one.
Apple has confirmed that it will work with other banks and payment providers in the coming months and years to increase support for Apple Pay in the country, with Bank Austria, Boon, Revolut and VIMPay just some of the partners currently listed on the Austrian Apple Pay site.
The news of Apple Pay coming to Austria was first announced last month when both Erste Bank und Sparkasse and N26 confirmed their plans to support the service. Currently, Maestro, Mastercard, and Visa credit and debit cards are supported via the new service.
Apple outlined just some of the retailers supporting Apple Pay in Austria from day one, including Apple Stores, BP Petrol, Decathlon, Dunkin’ Donuts, LIDL, and Media Markt.
The venture into Austria forms part of Tim Cook’s plan to make the service available in 40 countries by the end of the year, something he announced at March’s keynote presentation.
Apple Pay is now available in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, France, Japan, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Russia, New Zealand, Brazil, Poland, Ireland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and Austria.
More destinations are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Keep it AppleMagazine for the latest on Apple Pay as and when we get it.