Add organization

Can you pay by card in Denmark if the payment system goes down?

The card payment contingency measure.

Answered at: Checked at:

Short answer

Often yes. Under a contingency set up by Danmarks Nationalbank with the retail and financial sectors, adults over 18 with a Dankort, Visa or Mastercard issued by a Danish bank can pay by card or mobile wallet in grocery stores and pharmacies for at least seven days, even if the card systems or terminals are offline. 82 % of adult Danes have a physical card that can be used offline. All physical Dankort cards and most Mastercard cards can often be used offline, which may require your PIN, while Visa allows it only in certain situations and sectors.

Practical info

Why

  1. Card systems failed in Denmark in July 2025 and May 2026.
  2. Offline payment often needs your PIN code.
  3. Cash and instant payments kept working during both outages.

Details

Other shops can join the same offline solution, and shops that normally take cards are advised to accept offline card payments.

Tip

Carry at least two physical cards of different brands, for example a Dankort and a Mastercard, and know both PIN codes.

What may differ

Foreign cards are not covered by the contingency, and shops outside groceries and pharmacies may not offer offline payment.

Common misconception

A co-badged Visa/Dankort counts as two different cards.

What actually happens

A co-badged card is one card; to have two brands you need a separate Mastercard or Visa card.

People also ask

  • How much cash should you have on you or at home in Denmark?
  • Is Visa or Dankort used more in Denmark?
  • How often do Danes pay with cash in shops?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Payment rules, limits and fees change, so check the official sources or your bank before you pay.

Practical info
Help