German Cooperative Banks Enable iPhone Payments Without Apple Pay - German banks bypass Apple Pay with direct iPhone Girocard payments
German cooperative banks are now letting customers use their Girocards on iPhones without Apple Pay. This change follows new EU rules that force Apple to open its payment technology to other providers. The Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken group is the first in Europe to take advantage of the shift. For years, Apple restricted access to the iPhone’s contactless payment system, known as NFC. This meant only Apple Pay could handle tap-and-go transactions. But the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) changed that, requiring Apple to allow third-party services to use the technology. The move gives customers more choice in how they pay with their iPhones. It also marks the first time a European banking group has used the DMA to bypass Apple Pay. From mid-2026, the campaign will ensure wider awareness of the new payment method.
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