Visa backs launch of multiple new digital wallets in Europe

By Vriti Gothi

Visa launched three new digital wallets in Europe in collaboration with BBVA, Klarna and Vipps MobilePay, and is working with Italy’s BANCOMAT on a pilot slated for early 2026. The launches mark the first Visa-enabled wallets to use NFC technology to support Host Card Emulation (HCE) on iOS, following a major EU regulatory shift.

Access to NFC technology was opened to third-party wallets under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), removing a long-standing barrier to competition on iOS and allowing European issuers, FinTechs and domestic schemes to offer tap-and-pay services without relying on native wallet infrastructure. The change is expected to accelerate wallet innovation as mobile payments continue to dominate eCommerce behaviour.

Mobile transactions already account for 59% of eCommerce payments in Europe, a figure that Visa projects will rise to 75% by 2030. Around 32% of Europeans expect to use mobile wallets exclusively for purchases, signalling a deepening shift toward wallet-centric financial ecosystems.

BBVA Pay, launched in Spain via the BBVA app, becomes the first wallet globally to use Visa’s software developer kit, integrating Visa Token Service directly. The bank says the rollout strengthens its innovation strategy. “This launch reflects BBVA’s strong commitment to innovation, marking a milestone in the European banking industry,” said Luis Simoes, Head of Retail Experience and Value Proposition for Retail Banking at BBVA.

Klarna has enabled its wallet across 14 European markets, consolidating its card offerings and tap-to-pay capabilities within the Klarna app on both iOS and Android. “Tap to Pay brings us closer to our vision of Klarna being everywhere for everything,” said David Fock, the company’s Chief Product & Design Officer.

Vipps MobilePay introduced a Visa co-branded wallet in Norway, with Denmark, Finland and Sweden to follow. Existing users can now tap and pay globally where Visa is accepted. “It’s an important step toward our vision of making payments simpler and more unified,” said Rune Garborg, CEO of Vipps MobilePay.

In Italy, BANCOMAT is preparing a 2026 pilot with Visa using VisaPay, Visa’s tokenisation-based wallet solution. The initiative enables BANCOMAT Pay users to make contactless Visa-accepted payments internationally while maintaining the scheme’s domestic infrastructure. The partnership “allows us to maintain a strong local presence, while benefiting from the international acceptance network,” said Fabrizio Burlando, CEO, BANCOMAT