India Expands UPI to Greece, Extending Global Reach of Digital Payments Network

By Mahima Katal

Athens, June 30: India has expanded its flagship digital payments platform, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), to Greece, further extending the global footprint of its fast-growing digital payments ecosystem.

The launch allows eligible users to make instant, secure, and low-cost digital payments through UPI while in Greece, offering an alternative to conventional cross-border payment methods.

The announcement was made by India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during his official visit to Athens.

"Delighted to witness the live demonstration of the Eurobank–NIPL partnership enabling UPI services at Eurobank headquarters in Athens," Goyal said in a post on social media, referring to the collaboration between Greece's Eurobank and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India.

The demonstration was attended by Eurobank Chief Executive Officer Fokion Karavias and Fairfax Digital Services CEO Sanjay Tugnait.

Goyal described the launch as another milestone in the international expansion of India's digital payments infrastructure, adding that the growing global adoption of UPI reflects confidence in India's technology-driven financial solutions.

"The increasing global acceptance and appreciation of UPI reflects the trust in India for building technology-led solutions that create value beyond borders and deepen partnerships for shared growth and prosperity," he said.

The rollout in Greece follows a series of international expansions. Earlier this month, UPI was introduced at Galeries Lafayette, one of France's best-known department stores in Nice. In 2024, the payment system was launched at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, enabling Indian visitors to make digital payments using UPI-supported applications.

With Greece joining the network, UPI is now accepted in ten countries: Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Greece.

Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India, UPI has transformed India's domestic digital payments landscape by enabling real-time bank-to-bank transactions through mobile applications. Its growing international presence is part of New Delhi's broader effort to export its digital public infrastructure and strengthen financial connectivity with partner countries.