In 2023, global non-cash transaction volumes are expected to grow by an average of 18.9% to reach almost 1.3 trillion transactions.
So, having popular payment methods allows businesses to capture that value. To illustrate, in the EU, non-cash payment volumes increased by +29% in 2022, mostly driven by the growing number of card payments (+34%) and credit transfers (+11%). Nevertheless, running an online business requires payment solutions that meets the customer requirements.
In most European regions, Stripe is the best option. Stripe offers a wide range of payment types like cards and bank transfers like iDeal, and SEPA, but the availability of payment methods depends on the Stripe account country and the payment currency, and more.
In this article, you will find which payment methods are accepted in what countries and regions, and can set up your business with Stripe effectively.
If you are using WordPress and want to accept Stripe payments, you can download WP Full Pay plugin for free, enable one of the payment methods supported by Stripe, and start accepting payments on your WordPress site.
Stripe Payment Methods Overview
Stripe supports over 20 payment methods worldwide, including:
- Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.)
- Alternative payment methods such as Klarna and Affirm.
- Bank transfers and debit methods.
However, the exact methods you can use may vary depending on your business’s country and the type of account you have with Stripe.
Supported Cards by Stripe
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express (AmEx)
- Discover & Diners Club
- JCB
- UnionPay
- Cartes Bancaires (France)
- Maestro & Debit Cards
- Dankort (Denmark)
Stripe accepts most major credit and debit cards worldwide without needing extensive setup.
Alternative Payment Methods Stripe Supports
- Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Klarna, Afterpay/Clearpay
- Bank Debits & Transfers: ACH (US), SEPA (Europe), BACS (UK)
- Bank Redirects: iDEAL (Netherlands), Sofort (Europe)
- Real-time Payments: RTP (US), FPX (Malaysia)
Stripe Supported Countries & Regions (Updated)
Stripe enables merchants to collect payments from 195 countries in over 135 currencies. The primary Stripe supported regions include:
- Europe: Cards, SEPA, Apple Pay, Klarna, Giropay, EPS, Bancontact
- North America: Cards, ACH Debit/Credit (US), Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Asia-Pacific: Cards, FPX, Alipay, WeChat Pay, local methods
- Latin America: Limited methods, mainly card payments localized by country
- Middle East: UAE and Saudi Arabia — Cards and digital wallets
- South Africa: Card payments (Visa, Mastercard accepted; AmEx not supported)
Frequently Asked Questions About Stripe Payments
How to Accept Payments with Stripe?
You can accept Stripe payments through methods like:
- Stripe Checkout: Easy-to-use hosted payment pages.
- Stripe Elements & API: Customizable payment integrations for your own site.
- Stripe Payment Links: Shareable, no-code links to easily request payments.
How Many Payment Methods Does Stripe Support?
Stripe currently supports more than 20+ payment methods globally, ensuring flexibility for buyers worldwide.
What Countries Does Stripe Support?
Stripe accepts payments in over 195 countries and supports over 135+ currencies. Primary regions are USA, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and South Africa.
Does Stripe Accept Debit Cards?
Yes, Stripe accepts major debit cards worldwide, including Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit, and Maestro. This is available in most countries Stripe operates in. (Source)
How to enable Stripe cross border payouts?
Stripe decides whether to allow cross-border payouts based on your platform’s profile. If they aren’t enabled but you need them, you can reach out to Stripe Support for assistance. (Source)
Does Stripe accept Amex (American Express)?
Stripe allows you to accept Amex payments in the countries where it operates. However, since Stripe is not available for businesses based in South Africa, merchants there cannot use Stripe to accept Amex or other card payments. For a comprehensive list of countries where Stripe is supported, please refer to their global page.
American Express (Amex) cards are accepted in over 130 countries and territories worldwide (Source). However, there are certain countries where Amex acceptance is limited or nonexistent, including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Russia and Belarus (temporarily).
What does Stripe not accept?
Stripe cannot support many financial services businesses, as outlined in its Restricted Businesses list. This includes investment and credit services, money transfers, bill payment or crowdfunding services, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency-related businesses like crypto mining equipment and initial coin offerings.
What payment methods are available on Stripe payment links?
Payment Links supports more than 20 payment methods—including credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. (Source)
Optimizing Payment Methods With Stripe (Actionable Tips)
- Localize options: Offer preferred local payment methods in regions you serve frequently.
- Leverage digital wallets: Include mobile-friendly payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay to increase conversions.
- Clearly display accepted payment logos: Showcard logos (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) visibly to enhance customer trust.
You can download WP Full Pay plugin for free, enable Stripe supported payment methods and start accepting payments on your WordPress site.
References & Further Reading