Apple Pay debuts in Spain with support for Mastercard and American Express

Apple Pay officially launched in Spain this week, making it the latest European nation to accept Apple's contactless mobile payments service. It also comes shortly after similar debuts in Japan, New Zealand, and Russia. Using compatible iPhone models or an Apple Watch, Apple Pay will allow users to make fast and easy payments at 27 Spanish retailers simply by holding their device over an NFC terminal.

Like in many other countries, Apple Pay in Spain will support Mastercard and American Express, along with cards from the local financial institutions Banco Santander, Carrefour, and Ticket Restaurant. Mastercard, an Apple Pay partner, says it will also begin opening its international payments network to include the Spanish rollout.

Among the major local retailers that are now accepting Apple Pay include Cortefiel, Bershka, Media Markt, Cepsa, Starbucks, Zara, Repsol, and Ginos, along with all of Apple's own retail stores. BP and Fnac are said to start accepting Apple Pay in the near future.

Since first launching in the US in 2014, Apple Pay has gradually expanded to more than 10 additional countries. The most recent additions have focused on the Asian and European markets, with Germany believed to be the next location.

SOURCE Apple