Apple Pay Rolling Out in Czech Republic and Saudi Arabia

Tuesday February 19, 2019 2:13 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Apple Pay is rolling out to users in Saudi Arabia and the Czech Republic, according to multiple reports from tipsters and posts across social media this morning.



Apple's digital payment system already appears to be active for a number of banks and financial services across both countries. In Czech Republic, users have so far reported successfully adding cards to their mobile wallets from Air Bank, MONETA Money Bank, Ceska sporitelna, and payments company Twisto.

When ‌Apple Pay‌ was rumored to be coming to the country in late February, support for the country's two largest banks Česká spořitelna and Komerční banka was mooted, so hopefully they'll also be added to the "active" list soon.

Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, Apple's regional Apple Pay website has gone live and lists Visa and Mastercard support for Al Rajhi Bank, NCB, MADA, Riyad Bank, Alinma Bank, and Bank Aljazira.

Apple said in October that ‌Apple Pay‌ would be "coming soon" to the country, and reports are coming in from users who have successfully registered cards with ‌Apple Pay‌ issued by the above banks.


Apple's website also lists several supporting outlets in the country, including Carrefour, counterpoint, KFC, Bershka, baby shop, MacDonalds, and Krispy Kreme doughnuts, among others.

‌Apple Pay‌ has been gradually expanding across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The service launched in Belgium and Kazakhstan in November and made its long-awaited debut in Germany the following month.

‌Apple Pay‌ first launched in the United States in October 2014, and has since expanded to many other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, China, Singapore, Switzerland, France, Japan, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Russia, New Zealand, Brazil, Poland, Ireland, and Ukraine.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
Tags: Saudi Arabia, Czech Republic
[ 33 comments ]

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Martius
12 months ago
Me waking up at 6:05 am: "omg omg omg, I have to add all my cards to Apple Pay". I think I need help.
Rating: 5 Votes
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souko
12 months ago
I come from Czech Republic. I added debit card (VISA) of Česká Spořitelna to my iPhone and Apple Watch. I have payed by iPhone and by Apple Watch too. It is great. I am really happy...

I do not have to take my card with me... I do not have to take a card from a wallet and do not have to take wallet from my jeans every time I pay... I can be more minimalist...

Not most important thing but it made me happy...
Rating: 5 Votes
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iPhysicist
12 months ago
I applaud our fellow neighbors! Next is an Apple store in Prague I hope!
Rating: 3 Votes
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Totemsflare
12 months ago
And the Netherlands?
Rating: 3 Votes
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windywalks
12 months ago

For countries that already have contactless payment, I’m still surprised how long the rollout is taking.

Apple Pay has worked fine in these countries when on holiday with a UK card.

I used it in Switzerland and Czech Republic before it launched for domestic customers.

It's all about the banks and the negotiations. I'm pretty sure Apple would just love to be present in as many countries as possible but there's always a deal involved.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Tavicu
12 months ago

For countries that already have contactless payment, I’m still surprised how long the rollout is taking.


Yeah, in Romania even the smallest store has contactless payment!
But banks prefer to invest in they **** services that are not compatible with iOS, only with Android.
Rating: 2 Votes
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kuryack
12 months ago
Slovakia is rumored to start Jun/July, thank god we can use Boon. till then ;)
Rating: 1 Votes
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IGI2
12 months ago

Oh ok, thanks for the explanation. It's just that when you first said simply that Apple Pay is more widely available in Poland it was kind of vague, so I thought you might be talking about acceptance by stores. Now that you're explaining that it's because more banks support Apple Pay than google pay and some of the banks only supporting Apple Pay happen to be the largest in the country, it makes sense. Obviously a lot more people have access to Apple Pay in Poland.


Thanks :)

And when it comes to acceptance, that's a nice article:

https://www.cashless.pl/5320-poland-contactless-terminals

Even self-service Car Washes have special waterproofed NFC terminals:






Rating: 1 Votes
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Baymowe335
12 months ago
Apple Pay is my favorite way to make a payment. Fast, secure, and easy.

Glad to see it spreading quickly.
Rating: 1 Votes
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KrisLord
12 months ago
For countries that already have contactless payment, I’m still surprised how long the rollout is taking.

Apple Pay has worked fine in these countries when on holiday with a UK card.

I used it in Switzerland and Czech Republic before it launched for domestic customers.
Rating: 1 Votes

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