Cashless Countries: 10 Countries Where UPI Payments Are Accepted

Over the last few years, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completely revolutionized domestic transactions in India. Being able to make transactions in just a blink of an eye, completely free of cost, as a concept, has not received its due credit. The infrastructure is also superbly managed, where even a humble farmer with barely any knowledge of the Internet or banking can make payments without any hassle. Now, it is actively dismantling traditional international forex barriers. As of mid-2026, India’s National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has expanded its operational live-payment architecture to other global nations. This global expansion allows Indian tourists, students, and business travelers to scan local QR codes and make instant merchant payments directly from their Indian bank accounts via familiar apps like PhonePe, GPay, and BHIM. Here are the countries where UPI payments are accepted.

Countries Where UPI Payments Are Accepted

1. France

Indian tourists can scan QR codes to purchase entry tickets directly at iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, select museum ticket counters, and retail hotspots like the famous Galeries Lafayette department store in Nice. It is seamlessly integrated via the Lyra Network.

2. Greece

Expanding rapidly across major historical spots in Athens, retail centers, and seaside merchant hubs across popular Greek islands, this country is the latest addition to the global UPI map! It is rolled out via a high-profile strategic partnership between NPCI International (NIPL) and Greece’s Eurobank. 

3. The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

In the UAE, UPI is powered by partnerships with local payment giants like Mashreq Bank (NeoPay) and Magnati, linking with the local AANI instant payment system. It is widely accessible across luxury retail malls in Dubai, local transport ticketing, dining venues, and duty-free sections.

4. Qatar

UPI is integrated smoothly in collaboration with the massive Qatar National Bank (QNB) network. You can use it at high-end retail plazas, luxury hotels, taxi booking networks, and major dining districts in Doha.

5. Mauritius

Partnered via the Central Bank of Mauritius using the standardized national MauCAS payment hub infrastructure, UPI in this country is used at popular tourist beach resorts in Grand Baie, craft markets, and local tour operators in Port Louis.

Also Read: Indians Can Now Pay Using UPI Applications Across Cambodia

6. Singapore

Singapore is the gold standard of bilateral integration. It features a direct, real-time cross-border link connecting India’s UPI with Singapore’s PayNow network, amplified through retail systems like HitPay. You can use it at hawking centers, retail stores, local convenience setups, and peer-to-peer family remittance networks.

7. Nepal

In Nepal, UPI is fully operational via a deep gateway integration between the NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Nepal’s extensive Fonepay network. This is an extremely mature implementation across major tourist cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara and usable at local restaurants, grocery shops, and adventure booking portals. 

8. Sri Lanka

Linked directly with the national LankaPay QR infrastructure, you can make UPI payments in Sri Lanka even to local tuk-tuks, beach cafes in Galle and Colombo, and cultural heritage site ticketing counters.

9. Bhutan

Bhutan was the very first foreign country to embrace India’s BHIM-UPI system, backed by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan. A historic pioneer! It has incredible penetration across the nation. You can use it anywhere from luxury hotels in Thimphu to small, local momo stalls in Paro.

10. Cambodia

Rolled out via a major partnership with ACLEDA Bank and the National Bank of Cambodia, UPI in Cambodia taps straight into their unified national KHQR system. You can use it at over 4.5 million local merchant touchpoints, spanning boutique hotels, tour agencies, and food stalls near Siem Reap.

Also Read: UPI Goes Global: Indian Travellers Can Now Pay Seamlessly In Qatar Using UPI

Quick Run-Down Of UPI-Friendly Countries

Also Read: UPI Launch In Japan: What Indian Travelers Need to Know About Payments

How To Activate International UPI: Step-By-Step Guide

• Step 1: Open your preferred app (GPay, PhonePe, or BHIM) before departing from India.
• Step 2: Go to your profile settings, locate “UPI International”, and select the specific bank account you want to use abroad.
• Step 3: Authenticate using your secure UPI PIN. (Note: Most apps allow you to set an international activation window for up to 90 days.)

It is important to note that while the processing transaction is free, standard exchange rate conversions apply instantly from INR to the host country’s currency, often beating conventional bank credit card markup rates. 

Also Read: Indian Travelers Can Soon Make UPI payments In Malaysia

Summing Up

The global narrative around cross-border travel financial logistics has structurally shifted. Gone are the days when Indian tourists had to depend entirely on cash conversions or volatile international forex cards with hidden operational margins. With diverse countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia actively honoring UPI QR codes, managing holiday expenses is now as easy as buying a tea at your local corner store in India.

FAQs

Are There Any Extra Hidden Processing Fees When Using UPI In These 10 Countries?

No. There are no platform convenience fees charged by NPCI or your domestic Indian bank for scanning merchant QR codes internationally. The money is deducted from your linked bank account in INR using real-time competitive foreign exchange market conversion rates.

Do I Need An Active Internet Connection On My Indian SIM To Use UPI Abroad?

Yes. To ensure transactions go through seamlessly, your mobile phone must be connected to an active internet source — either through an international roaming package on your Indian SIM or via local public/portable Wi-Fi networks at the merchant venue. Your Indian SIM must also be active to receive transaction confirmation alerts.

What Should I Look Out For At A Foreign Cash Counter To Ensure They Take UPI?

Always keep an eye out for standard, visible UPI or NIPL (NPCI International) logo branding decals placed near the cash register, billing counter, or standard local QR standees (such as the KHQR standees in Cambodia or LankaQR in Sri Lanka). If unsure, simply ask the merchant if they support Indian digital app payments.