Payment Roaming is Live: A Significant Step for Europe

The introduction of the so-called “Payment Roaming” in Germany, Austria, and Italy marks a milestone in the European payment landscape. Through the collaboration between Bluecode and Bancomat, both members of the EMPSA (European Mobile Payment Systems Association), European payment systems have become interoperable for the first time.

But what does this mean exactly? Quite simply, both payment systems can now collaborate so that users can pay with their usual payment app within the roaming partner’s acceptance network. Nothing changes for local merchants either – no fees, devices or settings need to be changed. This cross-border “Payment Roaming” is made possible by a technical, commercial and legal standard defined by EMPSA, which sets the prerequisite for interoperability.

The Vision of a European Payment Network

The idea behind “Payment Roaming” is comparable to mobile roaming in the telecommunications sector: Instead of using data, SMS and minutes in foreign countries, users can pay with their domestic payment solution within the partner’s payment network without additional changes or charges. This means that Bluecode users can pay at all Italian restaurants, cafés and retailers that list Bancomat as a payment partner. The dedicated goal of “Payment Roaming” is to establish a cross-border acceptance network that respects national payment systems and offers international usage options.

Christian Pirkner, CEO of Bluecode and Chairman of EMPSA, emphasizes the importance of this development: “Our collaboration provides users of both systems a seamless and secure way to pay with their home mobile payment solution in the partner’s merchant network. This is a milestone towards a pan-European acceptance network that respects national systems and becomes internationally usable through interoperability.” The partnership between Bluecode and Bancomat brings EMPSA’s vision to life. The long-term goal of achieving interoperability between the leading European payment systems is thus receiving a tangible boost.

Current Status and Future Expansions

The cooperation between Bluecode and Bancomat began during the UEFA European Football Championship 2024, where selected users had the opportunity to pay with their preferred payment system in the fan zones of the tournament. This successful trial forms the basis for the now broader rollout of Payment Roaming, which will be available to all Bluecode and Bancomat users in the coming months.

Fabrizio Burlando, CEO of Bancomat, underscores the significance of the partnership: “The partnership with Bluecode is an important step for Bancomat, but especially for the development of a comprehensive European standard.” Burlando adds: “We are proud to be able to offer our users a seamless user experience outside of Italy, as a first step in Germany and Austria, while also enabling Bluecode users to make payments at our merchants and restaurants in Italy. We look forward to the future because this was just the beginning.”

A Strong Foundation for the Future of European Payments

The founding of EMPSA in 2019 laid the groundwork for closer collaboration between European payment systems. The organization currently unites 11 leading mobile payment providers and aims to enable cross-border mobile payments through common standards. The partnership between Bluecode and Bancomat is the first tangible result of these efforts, demonstrating that the vision of an interoperable European payment network is becoming a reality. Previously, Bluecode established a similar partnership with Alipay+, which also builds on EMPSA’s standards.

The payment process remains in European hands, and “Payment Roaming” is set to become a model for the future of payments within and beyond Europe. The foundation has been laid. For consumers in Europe, this means more flexibility and convenience when making payments, fully in line with European principles.