Indian tourists in Greece can now use UPI for payments

The rollout follows recent UPI launches at iconic locations in France, including Galeries Lafayette in Nice and even the Eiffel Tower in Paris, a sign that Indian payment systems are becoming accepted at major global tourist destinations.

For travellers, this means that paying abroad could soon feel as easy as scanning a QR code at your local café in India.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced the development during his visit to Athens, where a live demonstration showcased the partnership between Eurobank and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL).

Why this matters for your walletUPI’s expansion is more than a tech story, it’s personal finance news with real-world impact:

• Lower transaction costs: International card payments and forex conversions often come with hidden fees. UPI aims to reduce costs to a fraction of traditional transfer charges.
• No need to carry large amounts of cash: Travellers can make payments directly through familiar Indian apps.
• Faster and seamless payments: No waiting for OTPs from international networks or struggling with card acceptance abroad.
• Better budgeting while travelling: Since payments happen instantly from linked bank accounts, travellers can track spending more easily.

Countries where UPI worksUPI is now accepted in these countries:

• Greece
• Singapore
• United Arab Emirates
• France
• Mauritius
• Nepal
• Bhutan
• Qatar
• Sri Lanka
• Cambodia

For frequent travellers, students abroad, and even business visitors, this growing network could gradually reduce dependence on international cards and expensive currency exchange services.