Global: Denmark Issues New National Guidance to Boost Payments Resilience for Citizens and Retailers

Denmark has strengthened its national payments preparedness framework with the release of expanded guidance from Danmarks Nationalbank, marking the first time the central bank is issuing direct recommendations to both citizens and retailers. The move reflects growing global awareness of the fragility of digital payment infrastructure and the need for robust offline alternatives.

The updated guidance addresses a broad spectrum of potential disruptions—from power failures and internet outages to technical breakdowns and cyber incidents—underscoring rising international concern about payments continuity amid increasing digital dependency.

The announcement comes months after Sweden’s central bank called on Nordic countries to intensify their resilience efforts, signalling a coordinated European push to safeguard essential transactions during system disruptions.

Stronger Preparedness Measures for Citizens

Danmarks Nationalbank’s recommendations place a strong emphasis on diversification and practical readiness to ensure individuals retain access to money during outages.

Households are advised to maintain multiple payment methods, including physical payment cards, cash, and at least one mobile app that supports instant payments such as MobilePay. The central bank further recommends that each household hold at least two payment cards issued by different providers, with PINs memorised rather than stored.

Cash preparedness features prominently in the new guidance. Citizens are encouraged to keep a minimum of DKK 250 per adult in small denominations for use during disruptions—an approach informed by recent power outages in Spain and Portugal, where ATM and digital payment availability was severely limited.

The Nationalbank also reiterates the critical importance of offline card functionality, describing it as essential for maintaining payment continuity when systems go down. As long as individuals hold their physical cards and know their PINs, certain transactions can continue even during extended outages.

New Requirements for Retailers

For the first time, Denmark’s central bank has issued direct guidance to businesses, recognising retailers as central actors in national payments resilience.

The recommendations outline three priority actions:

1. Prepare for Disruptions: Retailers should assess their ability to operate during digital outages and ensure alternative options—including card payments, bank transfers and cash—remain available.

2. Enable Offline Card Payments: Businesses already accepting cards are encouraged to implement solutions that support offline card transactions, including offline wallet payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

3. Train Staff on Continuity Procedures: Employees should be equipped to process payments manually and navigate alternative workflows during system interruptions.

Although more than 80% of Danes possess cards capable of offline transactions, the central bank stresses that the benefit will only be realised if merchants adapt their systems accordingly.

Advancing a More Resilient Payments Ecosystem

To support implementation, Danmarks Nationalbank released a comprehensive 23-page analysis titled “Resilient payments in Denmark.” The report outlines vulnerabilities across essential services—including supermarkets, pharmacies, and public transport—and highlights the potential impact of both localised and nationwide disruptions.

The central bank also confirmed ongoing collaboration with the Danish Payments Council, retailers, and payment providers. A key objective is to enable offline payments across all major card types—Dankort, Mastercard, and Visa—as well as mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay in major retail chains and pharmacies by year-end.

Denmark, one of the world’s most digitally advanced payment markets, acknowledges that even the most secure systems are not immune to failure. The new guidance aims to reinforce national preparedness without slowing digital innovation.

Nordic Region Moving in Alignment

Denmark’s actions mirror similar efforts across the Nordic region. Sweden’s Riksbank has repeatedly cautioned that rising contactless adoption and declining PIN use pose risks during outages. Sweden is targeting nationwide offline payment readiness by July 2026 and has urged citizens to retain cash and physical cards as backup.

Together, these coordinated measures reflect a shared recognition: while digital payments offer convenience and efficiency, resilient offline alternatives remain essential to safeguarding economic stability during unexpected crises.