Is Visa or Dankort used more in Denmark?
International cards have taken the lead.
Short answer
Visa and Mastercard cards are now used more than Dankort in Denmark. In 2025 international cards issued in Denmark were used for about 1.5 billion payments, almost four times as many as in 2016. Dankort fell by 36 % over the same period to just over 0.8 billion payments. More than half of the payment cards issued in Denmark are now international cards, and more than 9 in 10 payments in shops were digital in 2025.
Why
- Online shopping and mobile wallets have pushed international cards forward.
- Online trade was 30 % of all card turnover in 2025, up from 22 % in 2019.
- Dankort is still widely accepted, but its share is falling.
Details
In 2025, 91 % of shop payments by number and 93 % by value were digital.
Tip
With a Visa/Dankort you may choose to pay as Dankort or as Visa when the shop accepts both.
What may differ
The figures are from 2025 and shift each year as payment habits change.
Common misconception
Most card payments in Denmark are still made with a plain Dankort.
What actually happens
Since 2016 international cards have almost quadrupled their payments and passed Dankort, which fell by 36 %.
People also ask
- What is Dankort?
- Is cash still used in Denmark?
- How common is Apple Pay in Denmark?
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 infoRelated questions
-
What is the Danish Payments Council?
The Danish Payments Council is a forum for cooperation on retail payments in Denmark, set up by Danmarks Nationalbank in 2012.
-
Can you pay by card in Denmark if the payment system goes down?
Often yes.
-
When did Apple Pay and Google Pay come to Denmark?
Apple Pay was launched in Denmark in 2017, Google Pay in 2018 and Samsung Pay in 2022.
-
How much of Danish card spending is online?
In 2025 e-commerce accounted for 30 % of total card turnover in Denmark, up from 22 % in 2019.