Denmark is one of the world’s most digitally advanced payment markets, with citizens relying heavily on mobile apps, online banking, and card transactions. But this digital dependence also makes the country more vulnerable when technical or network failures occur.

Recent global cyber-attacks and regional power outages — including the major blackout that affected Spain and Portugal earlier this year — have demonstrated how easily digital payments can be interrupted.

These incidents have prompted European regulators to focus more intensely on offline payment readiness and crisis payment planning.

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What Danmarks Nationalbank Recommends for Citizens

The central bank’s updated guidelines highlight three key steps every household should take to stay financially functional in the event of disruptions.

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1. Keep Several Ways to Pay

Danes are encouraged to maintain access to:

• A physical payment card
• A mobile payment app like MobilePay
• Cash

Having multiple payment options ensures that if one system fails, others can be used immediately.

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2. Hold Two Payment Cards from Different Issuers

Households should keep:

• Two separate cards
• From two different banks or providers
• And memorize all required PINs

This protects citizens if one bank or payment provider experiences an outage.

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3. Maintain a Small Cash Reserve

The central bank recommends holding:
kr. 250 (per adult)
— in small notes and coins.

This amount acts as a fallback when ATMs or digital systems are unavailable.

Governor Ulrik Nødgaard emphasized that real-world events in Europe show why cash and offline card capabilities remain essential.

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New: Official Recommendations for Retailers

For the first time, businesses in Denmark — from supermarkets to restaurants — now have dedicated guidance on how to stay operational during payment system outages.

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1. Offer Multiple Payment Alternatives

Retailers are encouraged to accept:

• Cash
• Bank transfers
• Offline card payments

This reduces business disruption during network failures or technical incidents.

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2. Enable Offline Card Transactions

Merchants should adopt payment systems that work even without internet connectivity. This includes accepting offline payments for:

• Dankort
• Visa
• Mastercard
• Apple Pay and Google Pay (through offline wallet support)

More than 80% of Danes already have cards that work offline — provided they use physical cards and know their PINs.

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3. Train Staff for Outage Scenarios

Employees should understand how to:

• Process offline transactions
• Verify customer details
• Manage queues during outages
• Handle cash safely

Prepared staff ensure smoother operations during unexpected system failures.

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Denmark’s Nationwide Offline Payments Rollout

A new 23-page report titled “Resilient Payments in Denmark” outlines how the country plans to make offline payment options widely accessible.

Key developments include:

• Growing recognition that even short outages can affect large parts of the retail sector
• Ongoing work with supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, and payment providers
• A plan to enable offline payments using all major cards and popular mobile wallets

These improvements are scheduled to roll out across the country later this year.

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Sweden Is Moving in the Same Direction

Denmark isn’t the only Nordic country prioritizing offline payments. Sweden’s central bank has also called for urgent improvements to ensure resilience during crises.

Sweden’s current challenges:

• Contactless tap-to-pay does not work offline
• Wallet payments stop working without internet
• Citizens rarely use their PINs due to heavy reliance on tap payments

Sweden plans to have a full offline-ready solution in place by July 1, 2026.

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What This Means for the Future of Fintech

Across Europe, central banks are beginning to frame payment resilience as a national priority. As digital channels become the default for most transactions, building strong backup systems is essential for economic and consumer safety.

Denmark’s updated approach provides a blueprint for how fintech ecosystems can blend innovation with resilience, ensuring that payments remain functional even when systems fail.