Dankort

Dankort is the national debit card and payment scheme in Denmark. It was introduced in 1983 by PBS (Pengeinstitutternes Betalingssystemer) in collaboration with the Danish banks to simplify everyday payments. The Dankort network processes domestic debit transactions in Danish kroner and is widely accepted at retailers, supermarkets, and online merchants across the country. Cards issued by Danish banks that carry the Dankort function can be used for payments in Denmark and, when co-branded, for international transactions via the Visa or Mastercard networks.

Most Dankort cards today are dual-branded with either Visa or Mastercard, which allows cardholders to use the same card for payments abroad and online where those networks are accepted, while domestic payments in Denmark continue to be routed through the Dankort system. The scheme is supported by chip-and-PIN security and increasingly by contactless technology, enabling quick payments with near-field communication (NFC). Many Dankort cards can be used in Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other mobile wallets that support the card's network.

The Dankort remains the dominant payment method in Denmark and is accepted by the vast majority of merchants, including small shops and large retailers. The network is operated on behalf of Danish financial institutions by the payments processor historically known as PBS/Nets, and it is supervised under Danish financial regulations within the broader European payments framework.