Denmark’s National Bank has issued updated guidance to strengthen resilience against payment system outages, urging citizens and retailers to prepare for disruptions by enabling offline card transactions and maintaining multiple payment options. By the end of 2025, offline payments via Dankort, Mastercard, Visa, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay will be available nationwide, ensuring continuity during internet or power failures.
Denmark’s National Bank Updates Guidance on Payment System Failures
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Denmark
Author: Ivana Picajkić
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Fiscal subject related
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Content accuracy validation date:
20.10.2025
Content accuracy validation time:
10:01h
Denmark’s Nationalbank has published new recommendations to help citizens and businesses stay prepared if common payment systems fail. The move comes after recent disruptions, including the Nets outage and major power failures in southern Europe, which showed how vulnerable electronic payments can be when systems go offline.
But recent events highlighted the need for citizens and retailers to be ready to use alternative payment methods, especially offline card payments.
In Denmark, payment cards are the most common way to pay. However, if systems go down, offline card payments allow customers to continue paying without an internet connection.
To use this option, both merchants and customers must be prepared:
- Shops must activate offline mode on their payment terminals.
- Staff must know how to process such transactions.
- Customers must carry their physical card and know their PIN code.
For the first time, the National Bank has issued detailed guidance for retailers. Businesses are encouraged to:
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Plan for disruptions, such as power or internet outages, and ensure multiple payment options, card, bank transfer, and cash, are available.
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Enable offline card payments, allowing customers to pay even when systems fail.
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Train staff on what to do during payment system disruptions.
Ulrik Nødgaard noted that over 80% of Danes already have a card that can function offline if used physically with a PIN. He also encouraged businesses to support offline wallet payments, like Apple Pay and Google Pay, as these are becoming increasingly common.
The National Bank also updated its guidance for individuals, expanding its 2024 recommendations.
Citizens are advised to:
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Have several payment methods: a physical payment card, cash, and a mobile app such as MobilePay.
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Hold at least two payment cards from different banks and remember their PINs.
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Keep a small cash reserve, about DKK 250 per adult in small notes and coins, to make change easier if many people pay in cash.
Danmarks Nationalbank, through the Danish Payments Council, is working with banks, retailers, and payment providers to expand offline payment options.
By the end of 2025, offline payments will be possible nationwide using Dankort, Mastercard, and Visa cards, as well as mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, at pharmacies and major supermarket chains.
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