Indian tourists in Spain could soon utilize UPI for transactions.
20 July 2026, 2 min read
During the recent European visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, India and Spain consented to proceed with technical discussions regarding the interoperability between UPI and Spain’s Bizum digital payments platform.
Additionally, talks with Estonia covered fintech collaboration and UPI integration.
Although specific timelines and details remain to be determined, the broader acceptance of UPI could provide Indian travellers an additional digital payment option while abroad.
Implications of UPI integration for travellers
UPI has emerged as a popular payment method in India, facilitating instantaneous bank-to-bank transfers through mobile applications. Should these linkages extend internationally, Indian travellers might be able to employ UPI-enabled applications for transactions at participating merchants in partner countries.
This advancement could streamline small transactions, such as payments at restaurants, retail shops, local transportation services, and other daily expenditures.
For travellers, access to a familiar payment system can minimize the need to carry substantial cash or rely solely on international credit cards.
Ravi Gosain, President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), which represents the Indian tourism sector, emphasized that the interoperability between UPI and Bizum signifies initiatives to create a connected global real-time payment ecosystem. Such collaborations not only enhance payment convenience for tourists and businesses but also help to lower transaction costs, accelerate settlements, and bolster economic relationships between nations.
Rohit Mahajan, Founder and CEO of plutos ONE, a fintech startup based in Noida, noted that the linkage of two prominent instant payment systems could expedite cross-border transactions, making them more straightforward and cost-efficient for individuals and enterprises alike. He further stated that the increased global adoption of UPI might foster trade and innovation between India and Europe.
Beyond Spain: India’s aim for global digital payment systems
India is actively working to enhance UPI’s international footprint through collaborations with various nations. UPI services have already been launched in several countries, including France, Singapore, the UAE, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Qatar.
This initiative aligns with India’s overarching goal to promote its digital public infrastructure internationally and facilitate smoother cross-border payment connections.
Essential information for Indian travellers
As UPI broadens its reach overseas, its acceptance will still hinge on local partnerships, availability of merchants, and endorsements from payment applications. Travellers may continue to require international debit or credit cards for specific transactions, such as hotel deposits, substantial payments, or in areas where UPI is not accepted.
It is important to note that while digital payment connectivity can enhance the convenience for travellers, users should be aware of any applicable foreign exchange fees, transaction caps, and payment terms associated with any international payment methods.
