Sweden's central bank has expanded the availability of offline card payments in stores from 1 July 2026, allowing more consumers to pay for essential goods even when data communications are unavailable. The change is intended to strengthen payment system resilience and follows an agreement between the Riksbank and market participants covering card issuers, card networks, acquirers and parts of the retail sector. The expanded functionality covers the vast majority of Visa and Mastercard cards issued to people aged 18 or over by issuers that have joined the agreement. It applies to purchases of essential goods such as food, medicines and fuel at manned petrol stations, including during serious disruptions, cyberattacks, peacetime crises or a state of heightened alert. The function works only with physical cards and a PIN. The agreement was reached in October 2025, and the parties have since implemented the technical and regulatory changes needed to support the rollout. The arrangement currently includes seven issuing banks, Visa, Mastercard, four card acquirers and major retail and fuel sector participants, while the Riksbank is encouraging additional issuers to join. As a next step, the Riksbank has started a project with Getswish and relevant companies to examine during the year whether offline functionality can also be introduced for the Swish payment service.
Riksbank2026-07-01
Sweden's central bank expands offline card payments for essential goods under market agreement
Sweden's central bank has broadened offline card payment functionality from 1 July 2026 so more in-store purchases of essential goods can continue when data communications fail. The measure covers most participating Visa and Mastercard cards issued to adults and works only with physical cards and a PIN. The Riksbank is also studying whether Swish can gain offline functionality.