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.
Overview of Stripe’s Payment Methods
Stripe provides different payment methods worldwide based on the country of your Stripe account and the currency your customers preference.
Stripe allows you to access to payment methods for your Stripe account according to geographic location and currency.
Here are payment methods supported by Stripe.
Cards
Stripe supports a wide range of major card brands from around the world. Stripe supported brands include: ATM cards, American Express, Cartes Bancaires, China UnionPay (CUP), Dankort, Diners Club, Discover, Hipercard, JCB, Maestro, Mastercard, Rakuten, Troy, UATP, Verve, Visa.
Mobile wallets
Digital walletsâsuch as Alipay, WeChat Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Payâare encrypted payment systems that allow your customers to securely save their payment information, including card, tokenized bank account, and routing details.
Bank debits
Bank debitsâsuch as BECS Direct Debit, ACH, and SEPA Direct Debit in Europeâare easy-to-use and low-cost alternative payment methods that debit your customer’s bank account directly. Most bank debits are delayed notification payment methods. This means there’s a lag time between payment submission and confirmation of success or failure from the customer’s bank.
Bank redirects
Bank redirects are one of the most popular alternative payment methods across Europe and Asia Pacific. Through the use of an intermediary, bank redirects move funds directly from the customer’s bank account to the business. Like bank debits, these are often delayed notification payment methods and require payment status updates before the payment is finalized.
Buy now, pay later
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) options make big-ticket electronic purchases in demand, especially for small- to medium-sized firms that might not have access to financing from financial institutions. Stripe allows you to offer BNPL options through methods such as Afterpay/Clearpay and Klarna.
Real-time payments
Real-time paymentsâsuch as RTP in the USâare delayed notification payment methods that use regional clearing houses to provide low-cost and easy-to-use credit transfers to consumers.
Where is Stripe available?
With flexible cross-border payment options, Stripe is available in 195 countries across 135+ currencies. (Source: Stripe)
With Stripe, you can accept payments in European, American, and Asia-Pacific regions. You can also use a cross-border transfer provider like PayPal or Wise to send your funds internationally after localizing Stripe to collect payments to your home country.
Europe
Stripe accepts a wide range of payment methods in the European region. If your Stripe account is set up in any of the European countries, you can accept payment methods such as credit cards, currency transfers, “buy now, pay later”, and more.
Here is the list of Stripe-supported payment methods in Europe:
- Credit cards
- ACH credit transfers
- ACH direct debits
- Apple Pay
- Bank redirects
- Bancontact
- BLIK
- Cartes Bancaires
- EPS
- Giropay
- Google Pay
- iDEAL
- JCB
- Klarna
- Cash App
- Link
- Microsoft Pay
- Przelewy24
- Real-time payments (RTP)
- SEPA direct debit
- Sofort
Asia
In the Asia Pacific region, you can also accept Stripe payments with credit cards, debit cards, QR codes, PayNow, and many more local payment methods. Here is a list of payment methods available in the APAC:
- Credit cards
- ACH credit transfers
- ACH direct debit
- Apple Pay
- FPX
- giropay
- Google Pay
- iDEAL
- JCB
- Przelewy24
- SEPA direct debit
- Sofort
North America
Stripe supports a wide range of payment methods, both using PaymentIntents and using Checkout in North America, where the US is the primary country.
Note that you can only accept some payment methods in the US and Canada accounts.
- US only: ACH credit transfers, ACH direct debit, Real-time payments (RTP)
- Canada only: BLIK, Cards, Cartes Bancaires, JCB, SEPA direct debit
Latin America
In Latin America, Stripe is present in a number of countries, and only accepts payments in a few places. Here is the list of available Stripe-supported countries and payment methods in Latin America: Multiple currency payment methods aren’t available in Latin America with Stripe. The currency you set on your account will be the only currency you can accept with Stripe in places like Brazil and Mexico, etc.
- Currencies available in Brazil: BRL (Brazil Reais)
- Currencies available in Mexico: MXN (Mexico Pesos)
Middle East
In the Middle East, you can accept payments in 2 countries, which are the UAE and Saudi Arabia. You can receive money in the AED (the local currency), or the USD (US dollars) in both countries.
- Credit and debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, JCB (only in Saudi Arabia), American Express (only in UAE)
- Digital wallets: Apple Pay
- Select local payment methods (Saudi Arabia only): STCPay
South Africa
In the African region, Stripe is available only in South Africa. You can accept payments in the ZAR currency only. Here, you can accept card payments via Stripe, such as Visa and Mastercard cards.
Note: Since Stripe currently does not support businesses based in South Africa, Amex cards cannot be accepted in this region.
Stripe Payment Links
Payment Links is a no-code payment method that lets you create a payment page and share a link to it with your customers. You can use Payment Links to support cards, bank debits, bank redirects, digital wallets, BNPL options, real-time payments, and more.
Stripe Checkout
Stripe Checkout is a Stripe-hosted payment page that comes with out-of-the-box support for online payment methods, allowing you to accept credit cards, debit cards, Click To Pay (previously known as Masterpass), App Clips via Apple Pay, and more.
Stripe Elements and the Payment Intents API
Stripe Elements is a set of prebuilt UI components for building conversion-optimized payment forms across multiple devices and browsers. Use Elements to accept both card and bank payments. The Payment Intents APIâthe latest evolution of Stripe’s products for handling payment transactionsâlets you build dynamic payment flows with support for cards, bank redirects, bank debits, BNPL options, real-time payments, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stripe Payments
Does Stripe accept all card types?
Stripe allows you to accept a wide range of card brands, from major global networks like Visa and Mastercard to regional options such as Cartes Bancaires in France and Interac in Canada. Many card types are supported by default like American Express China Union Pay (CUP), Discover & Diners Club, eftpos Australia, Japan Credit Bureau (JCB), Mastercard, Visa. However, certain local card brands, like Cartes Bancaires and Interac, might require additional setup. (Source)
How to enable Stripe cross border payouts?
Stripe decides whether to allow cross-border payouts based on your platform’s profile. If they arenât 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 methodsâincluding credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. (Source)
Wrap up
Setting up your business with the right payment methods is critical to the success of your business.
Most of the payment solutions supported by Stripe are lowed and widely used worldwide and locally.
Stripe allows you to collect recurring payments from your European customers by providing local payment methods such as SEPA. Also, our solutions allow you to accept any available currency, like Danish krone (SEPA), Malaysian ringgit (FPX, cards), and so on.
You can download WP Full Pay plugin for free, enable Stripe supported payment methods and start accepting payments on your WordPress site.